Check address balance from seed phrase

[dkbit98]

I found some old backup seed phrases written on paper but I was foolish enough not to write anything else, so I don't know what wallet I used, derivation path or BIP standard.

First thing I tried is importing them in Electrum but 12 words didn't match with Electrum wallet so I enabled option for BIP39 and I got addresses with zero balance.

No password is used, I am sure that words are NOT generated by any hardware wallets, and I probably used some software wallets but I don't know what exactly.


My Question:

Is there some tool or software I can use to import my seed words and check if there are any coins left?

[nc50lc]

First thing I tried is importing them in Electrum but 12 words didn't match with Electrum wallet so I enabled option for BIP39 and I got addresses with zero balance.

Did it said "BIP39 checksum: ok" below the seed phrase after ticking "BIP39 seed" in Electrum?
If it is, then restore it three time with different address types that you can select after clicking "next".
If all of the three wallets have zero balance, it's either the seed phrase is empty or it has a "BIP39 passphrase" that you can enable by ticking the other option "Extend this seed with custom words".
A seed phrase extension aka. BIP39 passphrase should be entered after clicking "next", then select the address type.

If it said "BIP39 checksum: failed", then it's most likely from a different wallet with unique mnemonic phrase like old blockchain.info wallets.

Is there some tool or software I can use to import my seed words and check if there are any coins left?

Electrum has a button "Detect Existing accounts" above the address type selection if you import a valid BIP39 seed.

[dkbit98]

Did it said "BIP39 checksum: ok" below the seed phrase after ticking "BIP39 seed" in Electrum?

I am sure passphrase was not used so I didn't have to extend it with any custom words, and this was pre-segwit time so I enabled two address formats except bech32.

Electrum has the button "Detect Existing accounts" above the address type selection if you import a valid BIP39 seed.

I saw this but it didn't detect any existing accounts.

Maybe I used some wallet that have different derivation path, something like old Coinomi, Exodus, Blockchain.info or stupid Jaxx wallet, and I just want to make sure there are no sats left on some addresses.

[nc50lc]

Maybe I used some wallet that have different derivation path, something like old Coinomi, Exodus, Blockchain.info or stupid Jaxx wallet, and I just want to make sure there are no sats left on some addresses.

I'm not familiar with other Bitcoin clients but before that,
you must identify if it's a BIP39 seed or a unique mnemonic phrase, that should reduce the number of possible wallets to look for.

Under the box where you paste the seed phrase, there's a small text saying "BIP39: checksum " after ticking "BIP39 seed" in the option.
if it's 'ok' it's a BIP39 seed and your wallet must be from a BIP39 supported wallet; if 'unknown wordlist' or "failed", it's from those non BIP39 wallets or there's an issue.

[ranochigo]

So far it is not a wallet file backup, you shouldn't bother about password used or not. Seed phrase importation will exclude the password. Also, seed phrase importation support HD wallet, even if it is hardware wallet used, it will still work on BIP39 wallets.

Seed phrase extension is available with BIP39.

That is the function of wallet, if bitcoin was sent to any of the address the wallet controls, it will not display zero balance, if you follow what nc50lc comment. Or, so far it is BIP39 wallet, you can import it on wallets like mycelium to check it out.

MyCelium has BIP44(?) derivation path so unless you're using a wallet with the same derivation path, you can't find it.

If you're willing to give up your privacy: https://blockpath.com/wallets/local/101?action=appxpub.

[dkbit98]

If you're willing to give up your privacy: https://blockpath.com/wallets/local/101?action=appxpub.

Nice, bookmarked.
I knew about this website and I used it several times to make some graphs for Bitcoin address connections, but I never noticed this part.
It would be cool to have something similar in Electrum wallet, but I am probably asking for impossible things.

[Charles-Tim]

That is the function of wallet, if bitcoin was sent to any of the address the wallet controls, it will not display zero balance, if you follow what nc50lc comment. Or, so far it is BIP39 wallet, you can import it on wallets like mycelium to check it out.

MyCelium has BIP44(?) derivation path so unless you're using a wallet with the same derivation path, you can't find it.

Never mind me that I deleted my post, nc50lc has answered it already is the reason, to avoid repetition.
No, mycelium support BIP44, BIP49 and BIP84 derivation paths.

[ranochigo]

It would be cool to have something similar in Electrum wallet, but I am probably asking for impossible things.

Probably possible. But would be adding much more load on the existing servers.

No, mycelium support BIP44, BIP49 and BIP84 derivation paths.

OP said Pre-Segwit but yep you're right.

[o_e_l_e_o]

Maybe I used some wallet that have different derivation path, something like old Coinomi, Exodus, Blockchain.info or stupid Jaxx wallet, and I just want to make sure there are no sats left on some addresses.

This website gives a list of most wallets and the default derivation paths they use: https://walletsrecovery.org/. Only very few deviate from the standard.

I knew about this website and I used it several times to make some graphs for Bitcoin address connections, but I never noticed this part.

Note of course that since this is deriving from your master public key or account extended public key, it will only generate unhardened addresses, which may or may not have the the m/44'/0'/0' prefix (or 49' for ypub or 84' for zpub) depending on which key you feed it. For anything non-standard with hardened paths, you will have to check it manually.

[dkbit98]

...

I checked walletsrecovery.org website, then I followed suggestions posted above and I think I think that I can safely discard some of my old backup phrases.
One small doubt I have left is that maybe I used some multicoin wallets that may hold some altcoin leftovers so I will try to recover it in Coinomi wallet as a last step.

I understand how to safely keep one or two backups on paper or metal plates, but how to properly keep multiple private keys or paper backup phrases?
You can't keep them all in one location for obvious reasons, and if you use multiple places you may forgot some of them or overcomplicate things.

[o_e_l_e_o]

I checked walletsrecovery.org website, then I followed suggestions posted above and I think I think that I can safely discard some of my old backup phrases.

I would never discard an old seed phrase, for the same reason I would never delete an old wallet. Just put it to one side and forget about it.

I understand how to safely keep one or two backups on paper or metal plates, but how to properly keep multiple private keys or paper backup phrases?
You can't keep them all in one location for obvious reasons, and if you use multiple places you may forgot some of them or overcomplicate things.

It all depends on how much safety/redundancy you want for each wallet. Do you have a couple of hot wallets with small amounts in them? Perhaps a mobile wallet and a desktop wallet with day-to-day spending amount of coins? In these cases, a single back up on paper in a safe place in your house is probably sufficient. It's probably also sufficient to back up multiple wallets like this on the same piece of paper. Sure, it isn't great security, and there is a higher risk of those funds being stolen or lost, but you are taking that risk anyway by using a hot wallet. Funds that if you lost, it would be no big deal. For significant amounts being stored on cold wallets (airgapped, paper, hardware, etc.), then yes, you want multiple back ups for each wallet in geographically separate but secure locations. If you worry about forgetting or losing access to your back ups, then you might do well to keep your funds on only one or two cold wallets rather than across multiple, accepting the risks that this brings.

What are your plans for inheritance of your bitcoin to your family or friends? Because if you can't even remember where your seed phrases are or what coins are on what phrases, then your heirs have no chance. Do you trust anyone else to share information regarding your back ups with them? Perhaps you also need to write down and store securely some hints or reminders to yourself or loved ones regarding how to access all your coins?

[dkbit98]

I found out that someone is actually working on this issue after listening one podcast with Bitcoin Core contributor Andrew Chow and he is working on scripts that will be able to detect public key and address type by entering derivation path.
I realized it is very important to write additional information when you generate and write your seed phrase, that is address type, derivation path and wallet you used.

It all depends on how much safety/redundancy you want for each wallet. Do you have a couple of hot wallets with small amounts in them? Perhaps a mobile wallet and a desktop wallet with day-to-day spending amount of coins? In these cases, a single back up on paper in a safe place in your house is probably sufficient.

Yeah I was talking about multiple wallet with smaller amount of coins and I think that keeping separate paper backups for each of them can be confusing.
I probably made them in different years and months and maybe best solution for this would be some consolidation in one new address.

What are your plans for inheritance of your bitcoin to your family or friends? Because if you can't even remember where your seed phrases are or what coins are on what phrases, then your heirs have no chance. Do you trust anyone else to share information regarding your back ups with them? Perhaps you also need to write down and store securely some hints or reminders to yourself or loved ones regarding how to access all your coins?

I think many people didn't care about that when Bitcoin was worth just few bucks and much less than $60k, but then you start to dig up your old wallets and look for any hidden and forgotten treasures

[o_e_l_e_o]

I realized it is very important to write additional information when you generate and write your seed phrase, that is address type, derivation path and wallet you used.

I don't think that's really necessary unless you are doing something nonstandard with your bitcoin wallet or you are buying so many useless alts that you are forgetting which ones you have bought. Provided you stick to the standard BIP39 derivation paths, then at most you would have to check 3 derivation paths (44, 49, and 84) before finding which account you had used. Even if you had used more than one account, finding an account at m/84'/0'/0' which was empty but had a history of transactions would prompt you to look at m/84'/0'/1', and so on. Only if you were using a wallet such as Samourai which uses derivation paths such as m/84'/0'/2147483644' would it be necessary to make a note of that too (although if you import a BIP39 seed phrase in to Electrum and hit "Detect existing accounts", Samourai derivation paths are included in the ones that it checks).

I have never written down additional information with a seed phrase, but then I exclusively use bech32 addresses and the only altcoin I hold is Monero, so I don't exactly have a lot to remember.

Yeah I was talking about multiple wallet with smaller amount of coins and I think that keeping separate paper backups for each of them can be confusing.

If it is small amounts of coins which you can afford to lose, then as I mentioned I don't think it is unreasonable to keep multiple seed phrases stored in the same location. There is an additional risk to your security, but that has to be balanced against the risk of total loss if you forget where one of your seed phrases is stored. It's not different really to consolidating all those funds together on to one wallet and then storing a single seed phrase.

[Dabs]

I understand how to safely keep one or two backups on paper or metal plates, but how to properly keep multiple private keys or paper backup phrases?
You can't keep them all in one location for obvious reasons, and if you use multiple places you may forgot some of them or overcomplicate things.

Metal plates: Where do you get them? I've been looking for online sources. Want thick stainless steel 304 or 316 (304 is cheaper, but almost as good). I'm thinking of doing the salt water etching method as opposed to stamping.

[dkbit98]

Metal plates: Where do you get them? I've been looking for online sources. Want thick stainless steel 304 or 316 (304 is cheaper, but almost as good). I'm thinking of doing the salt water etching method as opposed to stamping.

There are many local metal shops selling mostly copper and aluminum (not sure about stainless steel) plates and roll stripes in all sizes for home building for roof, gates, doors or other type of construction.
For stainless steel you can try in supermarkets selling stuff for kitchen and dishes like dinner plates, and maybe you have it in your home already but you are just not aware of that.
I doubt someone will look for Bitcoin seed phrases on old stainless steel dinner plate bottom, plus you can eat from it if you want 

[BrewMaster]

There are many local metal shops selling mostly copper and aluminum (not sure about stainless steel) plates and roll stripes in all sizes for home building for roof, gates, doors or other type of construction.
For stainless steel you can try in supermarkets selling stuff for kitchen and dishes like dinner plates, and maybe you have it in your home already but you are just not aware of that.

i have seen metal shops selling metal plates of all alloys and stainless steels are very common so they are being sold among them. but also the producers usually have a website that you can visit and buy plates from them. i don't know if they would sell a tiny piece though, they usually sell large quantities or at least one sheet (which is big).

[Dabs]

I would prefer something thicker than stainless steel dinner plates. Those are quite thin. For our purposes, we want them to survive a 20 ton crush test, so it has to be at least 5mm thick.

I found a couple:
onlinemetals.com
metalsupermarkets.com

I'll try to order some quarter inch thick flat bars and see if they deliver or I can pick them up locally.