Bitcoin Forum

Why do I have several different backup files for the same wallet at blockchain.info? It's set to auto backup right now. Several of the files are the exact same, but some of the more recent files contain a different series of digits than previously. Shouldn't it always be the same for the same wallet?

Thanks.

Your backups store the private keys for your wallets in encrypted form. If you've generated (or imported) any new addresses that list will get bigger.

I have not generated any new addresses. I still only have 1.

Anyone have any ideas why this would be? I can't seem to come up with a reason...

I'm not sure, I'll give you a bump because I'm interested as well.

That is because some of them are outdated. Anyways they have the same private key

Have you sent bitcoins from that wallet? if yes - it may generate new address and send all remaing bitcoins to that address along with your transaction. And private key of that new address is added to your wallet. Check blockexplorer to confirm this threory :)

I don't quite understand. As far as I know, the wallet contains two things: Your public address and your private address. I have not changed my public address, thus my private address has not changed as well. Why the different file? What am I missing?


A new public address or a new private address? The public address is the same because I consistently send BTC to the same address. The private address never changes, right?

Surely there's some basic concept I'm missing here...

that is fun

try it

Any time you make any kind of change, it sends you a back-up. They are just being overly cautious. You should always keep the latest one.

Does this definition of change include receiving BTC? Is the backup file encrypted in a different way? What is changed about the data in the file?

The backup they send you has more than just private keys. You can export unencrypted to see what they are currently backing up.

how it can