Beginner question: persistent storage Tails

[Nosh2020]

Hi,
one question: I just deleted the persistent storage because I did not remember the password. I created a new one.

Previously I had some Bitcoins in Electrum in a Wallet. Did I delete them as well?

[1713584906]

1713584906

[1713584906]

1713584906

[1713584906]

1713584906

[ranochigo]

Persistent storage is used to store your wallet files so potentially yes.

Do you have a backup of your seed? If you don't, refrain from touching your USB drive and there's a small chance that you might be able to recover the files.

[Nosh2020]

Sorry I'm a complete beginner... What do you mean with refrain the USB?

All I did is deleting the persistent storage (a mistake, I know)

[jackg]

Did you backup your wallet anywhere I think they were trying to say?

Also did you have a copy of your mnemonic phrase (random words).

[Nosh2020]

Backup, I don't think so.

I have the random words, buy I deleted the persistent storage

[LoyceV]

I have the random words

Restart Tails, start Electrum, Create new wallet, select "Standard wallet", select "I already have a seed", enter your seed.

DO NOT post your seed words anywhere on the internet!

[o_e_l_e_o]

By deleting the persistent storage, you will have deleted the Electrum wallet file you initially created, and so yes, you deleted your wallet.

However, the 12 words you wrote down on paper (and hopefully did not store on any electronic device) allow you to recover the exact same wallet that you deleted, and therefore, recover all your bitcoin.

Follow Loyce's instructions above to recreate the wallet. If you want to save the wallet file again after you have restored it, you'll need to set up a new persistent storage. It is also possible to not use persistent storage and just enter your 12 words every time you boot up Tails. You'll have to judge whether you feel you are at a bigger risk of someone discovering your USB which holds the persistent storage, or a bigger risk of a keylogger or other malware stealing your 12 word phrase every time you enter it.

[o_e_l_e_o]

I have a question if we lost back up seed words or key is there any other way to ricover our account?

The answer is probably no, but it depends a little bit on what device and what wallet software you have used.

If you have deleted your wallet file or it has otherwise become lost, corrupted, etc., then the easiest way to recover is using your seed phrase. If you have irretrievably lost your seed phrase, then the only other option would be to try to restore your wallet file. If you create regular back ups (you should) then you could restore from there, or you may be able to use some file recovery software or service to attempt to un-delete your wallet. All of this is very dependent on what platform you are using, what OS you are using, and what wallet software you are using.

If you ever do lose your seed phrase, then you should transfer all your funds out of that wallet immediately, to a new wallet with a new seed phrase, to prevent this exact kind of situation from arising.

[bob123]

I have a question if we lost back up seed words or key is there any other way to ricover our account?

You need to access to at least one of these to access your coins:

• Your mnemonic code
• Your relevant private keys
• Your wallet file

If you don't have or can't gain access to at least of of these, you won't gain access to your coins anymore.


Since you have your mnemonic code (the "random words"), you can simply recover your wallet using electrum -> i already have a seed.

[NeuroticFish]

I have a question if we lost back up seed words or key is there any other way to ricover our account?

(Edit: If you don't keep the persistent storage with your wallet) those "random words" are the only thing that allows anybody to spend coins from your "addresses".
This means:
1. you have to keep them super-safe (and that means NOT on the internet)
2. you can always recover your wallet with Electrum and those words
3. if somebody else gets them he will steal your coins
4. if you lose those words those coins are lost (locked there) forever; you can "see" them but never again spend them (OK, there are other ways to backup the wallet so you can still spend, but let's keep it simple).


Edit: Please read the previous post, it better the things needed for accessing a wallet (any one of the 3 does the job)
This post was/is an attempt to explain it clearer.

[HCP]

Those "random words" are the only thing that allows anybody to spend coins from your "addresses".

That simply isn't true... and "keeping it simple" is not the answer here. Some wallets (like Bitcoin Core) don't even have "random words".

The correct requirements, as already stated by bob123 are:

You need to access to at least one of these to access your coins:

• Your mnemonic code
• Your relevant private keys
• Your wallet file (EDIT: + the wallet file password, if any)

If you don't have or can't gain access to at least of of these, you won't gain access to your coins anymore.

Following on from this, it should also be somewhat obvious that a thief/hacker also only needs access to ONE of those three things to steal all your coins... therefore you should take necessary steps to prevent them from falling into the wrong hands.

[NeuroticFish]

That simply isn't true... and "keeping it simple" is not the answer here. Some wallets (like Bitcoin Core) don't even have "random words".

You're right. I've missed some use cases.
The intention was not to correct @bob123, instead I wanted to make it clearer, especially for his own use case and questions (Electrum, Tails, deleted wallet).
I know that you guys have a lot of knowledge, but sometimes I feel the explanations are not newbie friendly (and sometimes there are newbies asking them).

I've also edited a little the original post, I hope it's better now.

[bob123]

I know that you guys have a lot of knowledge, but sometimes I feel the explanations are not newbie friendly (and sometimes there are newbies asking them).

I'd rather have a fully correct answer/solution provided which might not yet be perfectly tailored to OP's case.

Remember, people who google about problems regarding to BTC will land on this forum. And having an answer only to OP's very exact question won't help them.

Therefore a pretty generic answer IMO is the way to go. If it solves OP's problem completely, that's perfect.
If it doesn't or there are any further questions, they are always free to reply/ask which will result in a more tailored answer to the OP's situation.