Which wallet file do I need to backup?

[l4p7]

Hello!

Simply question: I want to make a backup on a USB stick in case my hard drive crashes. Do I simply copy the default_wallet file (I have linux) to the USB stick?

Cheers and thanks for your replies.

[JWU42]

Yes...

But of greater importance is securely backing up your seed.  Write it down and put in safe place (safety deposit box or fireproof safe).

[l4p7]

Ok. Why is that more important?

[JWU42]

The seed (12 word phrase) is your backup and can be used instead of a file (wallet_default). 

[Abdussamad]

Hello!

Simply question: I want to make a backup on a USB stick in case my hard drive crashes. Do I simply copy the default_wallet file (I have linux) to the USB stick?

Cheers and thanks for your replies.

In the past I've found that copying the wallet file using the operating system file explorer did not create a proper backup. So I suggest using the backup method built into Electum i.e. run electrum and use file menu > save copy to save the file to a USB drive.

[l4p7]

Ok. Thank you all.
I will do that (using the backup method privided by electrum and kepping my seed).
But I can conclude that all three methods (default_wallet, seed, menu > save copy to save the file to a USB) are basically equivalent in the funtion they provide?

[JWU42]

Hello!

Simply question: I want to make a backup on a USB stick in case my hard drive crashes. Do I simply copy the default_wallet file (I have linux) to the USB stick?

Cheers and thanks for your replies.

In the past I've found that copying the wallet file using the operating system file explorer did not create a proper backup. So I suggest using the backup method built into Electum i.e. run electrum and use file menu > save copy to save the file to a USB drive.

Interesting - will use that method as well going forward...

[bobdutica]

Ok. Thank you all.
I will do that (using the backup method privided by electrum and kepping my seed).
But I can conclude that all three methods (default_wallet, seed, menu > save copy to save the file to a USB) are basically equivalent in the funtion they provide?

I believe that saving the seed is far more important than saving a copy of the wallet file. I believe that with the seed, you can completely re-create your enitire wallet, including all of its history.

[ewittt]

Good to know. my Electrum use depends on the "Restore" function on an offline computer.