add passphrase to existing seed?

[web435]

hi im just looking through the app and cant see where/if its possible to increase my security by adding a passphrase?

[BitMaxz]

If the seed phrase was generated from Electrum, I don't think you can add a passphrase on the existing wallet.

I think you will need to create a new separate wallet that includes passphrase as extended custom words.

If you don't know how to do it check this guide go to File> New/Restore>Name the wallet then next>Choose standard wallet> I already have a seed>Then paste the seed and click options> Check the Extend this seed with custom words, then click ok> Type the extended word (as your passphrase)> Add password to encrypt your wallet> Finish.

Take note this will generate a different wallet compared to your existing wallet, so the addresses are different.

[pooya87]

If the seed phrase was generated from Electrum, I don't think you can add a passphrase on the existing wallet.

Correct.
The extra words (usually known as passphrase) added to the mnemonic are fed to a key derivation function to be used to derive the BIP-32 seed (your master key) that is used to derive your addresses (child keys). That means when it is added or changed, you will get an entirely different master key and consequently different set of addresses.

[web435]

ok so i have a 24 word seed, under what circumstances should i bother to change it to a seed + passphrase....or i could just leave it

[nc50lc]

-snip- if its possible to increase my security by adding a passphrase?

-snip- under what circumstances should i bother to change it to a seed + passphrase....or i could just leave it

That protects your seed phrase backup in case someone get their hands on it.
Even with the seed phrase, they still wont be able to restore the correct wallet without the passphrase.

On the other hand, your Electrum wallet's security will not be directly affected by the passphrase that you set since it already contains the derived master private key from the seed phrase and passphrase.
It's your machine's security and other factors that'll dictate if your keys will be safe. (e.g. 2fa or cold-storage)

So do it if you think that the location where you'll save it isn't your safest option, not for "increased security" of the client.

[NeuroticFish]

ok so i have a 24 word seed, under what circumstances should i bother to change it to a seed + passphrase....or i could just leave it

Keep in mind that if you "add" passphrase you actually create a completely new wallet, with new addresses. It's like you'd have one more wallet, with seed of 25+ words.
Why?
* Some can use that for extra safety by saving the seed in one place and the passphrase somewhere else.
* I've read that you can use this for plausible deniability. Keep a smaller amount in your normal wallet, keep the rest in the "special" one (but imho it's risky, you can too easy misplace your passphrase)

[Forsyth Jones]

Keep in mind that if you "add" passphrase you actually create a completely new wallet, with new addresses. It's like you'd have one more wallet, with seed of 25+ words.
Why?
* Some can use that for extra safety by saving the seed in one place and the passphrase somewhere else.
* I've read that you can use this for plausible deniability. Keep a smaller amount in your normal wallet, keep the rest in the "special" one (but imho it's risky, you can too easy misplace your passphrase)

Exactly, the extension word (popularly known as passphrase) greatly increases the security and strength of the wallet, but we must be doubly careful, especially where to store this passphrase, but it isn't recommended to store it in the same place as the seed phrase, otherwise it's better to keep it without it.

So you have three secrets to safeguard: seed phrase, passphrase (the most important ones) and the encryption password to access the wallet locally through the file (default_wallet).

It should be used if the user is aware of the risks and responsibilities inherent to this.

[virasog]

Keep in mind that if you "add" passphrase you actually create a completely new wallet, with new addresses. It's like you'd have one more wallet, with seed of 25+ words.
Why?
* Some can use that for extra safety by saving the seed in one place and the passphrase somewhere else.
* I've read that you can use this for plausible deniability. Keep a smaller amount in your normal wallet, keep the rest in the "special" one (but imho it's risky, you can too easy misplace your passphrase)

Exactly, the extension word (popularly known as passphrase) greatly increases the security and strength of the wallet, but we must be doubly careful, especially where to store this passphrase, but it isn't recommended to store it in the same place as the seed phrase, otherwise it's better to keep it without it.

So you have three secrets to safeguard: seed phrase, passphrase (the most important ones) and the encryption password to access the wallet locally through the file (default_wallet).

It should be used if the user is aware of the risks and responsibilities inherent to this.

I happened to came across few people who extended their seed phrases and now they do not care much about the seed phrases but only safe guard their passphrase, which is a wrong approach. They keep the seed phrases (that are hard to remember) on their emails or google drive and easy to remember passphrases in their mind. So they think it is a perfect security for their wallets as even if someone get access to their seed phrases, they would never find the passphrase.
This is NOT a correct way indeed. Extending the seed phrases may increase security but not in a manner as this one.