[Discussion] Seed Storage

[promise444c5]

Recently, I noticed there’re more newbies and more awareness about the usage of cold storage on the forum, so I thought about bringing back the discussion:
What could be the suitable method for storing Seed Phrases in Nigeria?

Yeah, we will be discussing suitable methods that can be used in Nigeria.
Here’s what I was able to come up with from my side.
Seed on a piece of paper is common, but if we want to store our Seed Phrases in Nigeria, we still need to consider some conditions before choosing a perfect method that would work.
Among them are:

• Considering how people around you (family) could be illiterate about it, and somehow you might end up losing it to a trash bag or it might just be tossed away if eventually found someday. at the same time it still needs to be less spooky incase it falls in the wrong hands
• One of the common rodents in Nigeria is the rat, and most people prefer just writing their seed on a piece of paper. Rats eat paper and related materials, so if you are in an environment with the possibility of rats, then you might want to reconsider the usage of paper.
• Environmental hazards like floods and fires are also common and need to be considered. Also, in cases of paper, water spillage can also ruin things.

There’re others to be considered too, but with these few points, we should already be able to come up with a better way. Still, I know there is no perfect way to store seed phrases, which is why I want us to discuss it.
What methods do we use as individuals or think could be a little bit perfect (of course it can’t be totally perfect) to store our seeds as Nigerians? Adding other conditions to consider is also welcome.

Here’s what I found on my side:
Having a seed phrase on a steel metal plate - at least this could withstand heat and somehow doesn’t look like garbage(to someone that could be illiterate to it) in case it’s found, and it can withstand fire to some extent. Water damage is less of a concern too. It won’t still be safe in case of flooding,Moises can be of a concern little because  of rusting but it’s a good methd IMO.

visual look, having it in a key holder (in order or numbered) for storage
Note: Key-holder as used in the image above was only used for holding the plates together, it's not meant to be carried around like normal keys, it's meant to be stored in a safe place instead, carryingarround will only increase the chance of losing it .. That being said , it's better numbered (the plates) in order to prevent future confusion as well.

Let’s share our ideas as a discussion too. Corrections and additions are also welcom..

[Felicity_Tide]

~snip

Here’s what I found on my side:
Having a seed phrase on a steel metal plate - at least this could withstand heat and somehow doesn’t look like garbage(to someone that could be illiterate to it) in case it’s found, and it can withstand fire to some extent. Water damage is less of a concern too. It won’t still be safe in case of flooding,Moises can be of a concern little because  of rusting but it’s a good methd IMO.

visual look, having it in a key holder (in order or numbered) for storage

Let’s share our ideas as a discussion too. Corrections and additions are also welcom..

Nice topic @OP. If I'm mistaken, are we supposed to inscribe our seed phrase on that metal steel?. If that's the case, it's not such a terrible idea, but how many people can actually do it by themselves?. Just like you said, metals are highly heat resistant, so inscribing those words might be very difficult, and giving it to a welder is not a good idea either. But for anyone that can do it own his/her, then that's already a one security step ahead.

And since keys are very easy to misplace these days, i won't advise that we attach the metal plate to our key holder. We might just want to keep it in a secret place like the paper technic, and how about using this metal plate technic, and also having a paper backup.

And the technic I will always recommend aside hardware will always be the paper technic. I haven't really thought of anyone aside that.

[rachael9385]

~snip

Here’s what I found on my side:
Having a seed phrase on a steel metal plate - at least this could withstand heat and somehow doesn’t look like garbage(to someone that could be illiterate to it) in case it’s found, and it can withstand fire to some extent. Water damage is less of a concern too. It won’t still be safe in case of flooding,Moises can be of a concern little because  of rusting but it’s a good methd IMO.

visual look, having it in a key holder (in order or numbered) for storage

Let’s share our ideas as a discussion too. Corrections and additions are also welcom..

Nice topic @OP. If I'm mistaken, are we supposed to inscribe our seed phrase on that metal steel?. If that's the case, it's not such a terrible idea, but how many people can actually do it by themselves?. Just like you said, metals are highly heat resistant, so inscribing those words might be very difficult, and giving it to a welder is not a good idea either. But for anyone that can do it own his/her, then that's already a one security step ahead.

Actually I like the topic because it's an interesting (important) topic to make discussions cause it talks about the security and how to store our seed phrase. Actually the fact that many of us can not make them by inscribing the words into the metal steel ourselves makes the security of our wallet not 100% safe. But I suggest that if we can divide the words in two part and give to different welders, that way it would be safe because non of them can guess the other words, besides almost 60% of welders in some areas might not know what's that unless you tell them about it.

[Charles-Tim]

Here’s what I found on my side:
Having a seed phrase on a steel metal plate - at least this could withstand heat and somehow doesn’t look like garbage(to someone that could be illiterate to it) in case it’s found, and it can withstand fire to some extent. Water damage is less of a concern too. It won’t still be safe in case of flooding,Moises can be of a concern little because  of rusting but it’s a good methd IMO.

Titanium or stainless steel may not be enough for flooding as the flood can sweep the metal away. No earthquake in Nigeria as of now that I know of. But both are enough against fire because they are resistant to heat up to certain very high temperature.

Flooding has never before happened in where I leave. The chance it would happen is very slim. I prefer my paper backup. Nobody touch where I keep my books. Rats are not there. I have two backups in different locations. Memorizing the seed phrase is not advisable nor recommended but it can be the last resort.

Nice topic @OP. If I'm mistaken, are we supposed to inscribe our seed phrase on that metal steel?. If that's the case, it's not such a terrible idea, but how many people can actually do it by themselves?. Just like you said, metals are highly heat resistant, so inscribing those words might be very difficult, and giving it to a welder is not a good idea either. But for anyone that can do it own his/her, then that's already a one security step ahead.

This may be helpful:
https://youtube.com/shorts/YeZxOKDVLX0?si=dI1tEk6s0h5VJVWj

And since keys are very easy to misplace these days, i won't advise that we attach the metal plate to our key holder. We might just want to keep it in a secret place like the paper technic, and how about using this metal plate technic, and also having a paper backup.

The titanium or steel are far bigger than key holders and not what you be carrying about. Also no one will want to carry his money/seed phrase to everywhere he is going ss it is not secure.

[promise444c5]

Nice topic @OP. If I'm mistaken, are we supposed to inscribe our seed phrase on that metal steel?. If that's the case, it's not such a terrible idea, but how many people can actually do it by themselves?..

Yes and it should be secret , which means you do it yourself self

Just like you said, metals are highly heat resistant, so inscribing those words might be very difficult, and giving it to a welder is not a good idea either. But for anyone that can do it own his/her, then that's already a one security step ahead

Yeah inscribing could be a tedious job to handle  but you can use some engraving tool to hasten the process, CharlesTim gave you one already that use hand engraving tool, there’s also laser engraving tool and similar engraving pen but depending on the steel strength some might not cut through..Generally engraving tool are the best to use in this case.

And since keys are very easy to misplace these days, i won't advise that we attach the metal plate to our key holder.

Yeah , the idea of key holder is just to hold the metal plates together before storing it in a secured location to avoid misplacing any of them, not to start carrying them around

and how about using this metal plate technic, and also having a paper backup.

Yes having other backups plus multiple is a good idea(several methods could be carried out as we don’t know which will really be of benefit in future ) and not just only just that it should not be too much as it could increase the chance of getting to a wrong hand.

. But I suggest that if we can divide the words in two part and give to different welders, that way it would be safe because non of them can guess the other words, besides almost 60% of welders in some areas might not know what's that unless you tell them about it.

You don’t need a welder, and just as I replied to Felicity_Tide, all you need is engraving tools you can read the comment about that, also Charles-Tim already gave a nice example..

[Agbe]

Nice one saving your seed phrase on a mental by inscription is a good idea but to me instead of going through all these it's better that we save our seeds phrase on steel plate so that we can access it easily at anytime and also writing it down on paper where it can't be destroyed easily. Storage of the seed phrase is the most important thing to do in this crypto investment.

[SuperBitMan]

It is a good idea but what if the metal plate or key holder gets missing, however saving our seed phrase in a metal is a very good idea but I think it should be written in a metal that can't miss like that for example the metal door in your room you can just call those that construct metal doors and tell them to write your seed phrase some where in your door let it be written like a design that way it will be safe from missing, fire, water, etc. Someone may say what if the door rust we all know those metal door don't rust like that even if it will it takes years and if you even notice that is about to rust you can just repent it and it will be as good as new and because ur seed phrase is written as part of design of the door it will still be there so I think this way will surely be better and more safe.

[Amphenomenon]

I think relatively often times we all start with the paper technique and then move to a more feasible and secure one for us. To be honest I haven't thought about this by the way.

And since keys are very easy to misplace these days, i won't advise that we attach the metal plate to our key holder. We might just want to keep it in a secret place like the paper technic, and how about using this metal plate technic, and also having a paper backup.

The titanium or steel are far bigger than key holders and not what you be carrying about. Also no one will want to carry his money/seed phrase to everywhere he is going ss it is not secure.

This is the fact about the key holder, I love the whole idea about it and while it's possible to take it everywhere we go, it's obviously not secure.

That aside having something like that might attract the fancy of those not even literate about all these, they might just want to use it more likely if it has no key on it.

I recommend after using the key holder, another thing is to get a sticker and wrap each of it plate and also it would be better if the plates were actually more than 12 or 24 because that would definitely make those knowledgeable about it and have malicious purpose have their eyes on us.

[rachael9385]

. But I suggest that if we can divide the words in two part and give to different welders, that way it would be safe because non of them can guess the other words, besides almost 60% of welders in some areas might not know what's that unless you tell them about it.

You don’t need a welder, and just as I replied to Felicity_Tide, all you need is engraving tools you can read the comment about that, also Charles-Tim already gave a nice example..

Okay thanks for the heads up, I just finished watching the video on YouTube reels through the link Charles-Tim posted above. However this can be done at home if you have the steel metal plate. But where can we get it in case anyone of us want it?

Although my seed phrase is written in a paper and where I stay we normally  experience flood each year, but though we're I kept it is safe but I think this pattern is more better than the piece of paper. I think I can order this on Amazon

[Mr Reporter]

Honestly speaking I wanted to pass this post but something in me told me to stop by, this topic is a very useful information using metal plates as an key holder is not really not an bad idea this has been on trending for a while this help storing the seed phrases and it can really protect against environmental factors like fire and water just as you have mentioned, I guess I will see to your perspective on telling an professional to engrave the seed phrases onto a metal door, sheet, key holder's, to ensure it is done correctly and securely.

[promise444c5]

Although my seed phrase is written in a paper and where I stay we normally  experience flood each year, but though we're I kept it is safe but I think this pattern is more better than the piece of paper. I think I can order this on Amazon

Well, the plate might not be able to protect against flood if swept away but if not it will withstand water damage unlike paperand can not get easily swept away.
Also, you can get it on Amazon( it will need shipping fee ) , search  Blank Tags for Engraving.. Temu also have it .. but I couldn't see any on Jumia( maybe a better search can ) .

.. but to me instead of going through all these it's better that we save our seeds phrase on my Gmail so that we can access it anytime that we want your email is not something that anyone could access so instead of writing it down on paper where it can be destroyed easily and even fall into the wrong hand it's better that we save it online which to me will be safer because you are the only one that has the password to your email account

It's  not actually  a good idea to store seed phrase online , Email   could be safe to some extent but can still be hacked/ compromised ..

....
, I guess I will see to your perspective on telling an professional to engrave the seed phrases onto a metal door, sheet, key holder's, to ensure it is done correctly and securely.

Not to  those that you mentioned, but just to a stell plate, more like a dog tags,and the idea of the key holder is just to bind them together before storing it somewhere safe and not to carry them around everywhere.

This is actually  a discussion , that was just my suggestion... You all can bring your  ideas of other secured storage then we can all possibly contribute to your idea.

[Stalker22]

Nice one saving your seed phrase on a mental by inscription is a good idea but to me instead of going through all these it's better that we save our seeds phrase on my Gmail so that we can access it anytime that we want your email is not something that anyone could access so instead of writing it down on paper where it can be destroyed easily and even fall into the wrong hand it's better that we save it online which to me will be safer because you are the only one that has the password to your email account

No. thats very bad advice. Seriously? Putting your seed in Gmail is not smart.  Hackers can get into accounts, you might get phished, or even Google itself could be hacked someday.  You be trading a small risk of fire or something happening to paper for a huge digital risk. Thats really naive thinking.  Paper can burn sure, but it cant be hacked from anywhere in seconds like an email can.  So I would not recommend keeping your secrets in Gmail.  Too risky.

[Amphenomenon]

Although my seed phrase is written in a paper and where I stay we normally  experience flood each year, but though we're I kept it is safe but I think this pattern is more better than the piece of paper. I think I can order this on Amazon

Well, the plate might not be able to protect against flood if swept away but if not it will withstand water damage unlike paperand can not get easily swept away.
Also, you can get it on Amazon( it will need shipping fee ) , search  Blank Tags for Engraving.. Temu also have it .. but I couldn't see any on Jumia( maybe a better search can ) .

It's still on Jumia did search it with this Blank Tags for Engraving and got this: https://www.jumia.com.ng/generic-10pcs-strip-bar-keychain-new-mirror-polish-stainless-steel-stamping-blank-keychain-for-diy-custom-name-engrave-tags-keychain-396322873.html.

While Amazon or other foreign platform is good, the delivery fee might be discouraging. I think another method might be to try any pet shop and ask for dog/pet tags of such feature, I guess this can be used as an alternative.

.. but to me instead of going through all these it's better that we save our seeds phrase on my Gmail so that we can access it anytime that we want your email is not something that anyone could access so instead of writing it down on paper where it can be destroyed easily and even fall into the wrong hand it's better that we save it online which to me will be safer because you are the only one that has the password to your email account

It's  not actually  a good idea to store seed phrase online , Email   could be safe to some extent but can still be hacked/ compromised ..

Gmail or Email is a terrible way of storing seed phrase to be honest. You can password can be secure but that doesn't mean hackers still can't break it or the method sim swap won't work against you, if your sim connected to it.

To reduce the risk of attackers or criminals in getting our cryptocurrency or bitcoin, offline reduces the risk significantly for us because when there are many attackers with time there is an high tendency of one getting access.

[fredericktaylor]

OP has brought up a really important issue before us. I think this topic is very important for me and the newbies.
If we can write it on paper and save it properly, then it can be said to be a very easy step or way, but if we cannot save it properly due to our natural disasters or our own problems, then we must write it in metal or steel and keep it in a proper or safe place, but even if it is a little temporary difficulty to do this, it will be a good or reliable step to take.

Nice one saving your seed phrase on a mental by inscription is a good idea but to me instead of going through all these it's better that we save our seeds phrase on my Gmail so that we can access it anytime that we want your email is not something that anyone could access so instead of writing it down on paper where it can be destroyed easily and even fall into the wrong hand it's better that we save it online which to me will be safer because you are the only one that has the password to your email account

I never agree with saving wallet password or wallet fresh in Gmail, because Gmail can be hacked at any time in any way, it cannot be a safe place. Whoever takes this step can put himself in danger or lose all his money. So I will never save my wallet password or fresh in Gmail and I will not encourage others to do so, I think it is a wrong step.

[sokani]

Let’s share our ideas as a discussion too.

Nice. Though I write my own on a piece of paper but one thing I like about this method be say you fit pay a technician to cut the metal into shapes for you and later get a tool take crest the seed phrase yourself.

It is a good idea but what if the metal plate or key holder gets missing

Nah to keep am for a place where another eyes on go see am.

I think it should be written in a metal that can't miss like that for example the metal door in your room you can just call those that construct metal doors and tell them to write your seed phrase some where in your door let it be written like a design that way it will be safe from missing, fire, water, etc.

I think it's a dumb idea. Anybody fit see the seed phrase on the door. Secondly, even the welder wey you call to come crest the seed on the door fit know about crypto and steal your funds. No use your hand spoil things for yourself. If you no fit do op method, write am on a piece of paper and store in multiple places.

[SatoPrincess]

Nice one saving your seed phrase on a mental by inscription is a good idea but to me instead of going through all these it's better that we save our seeds phrase on my Gmail so that we can access it anytime that we want your email is not something that anyone could access so instead of writing it down on paper where it can be destroyed easily and even fall into the wrong hand it's better that we save it online which to me will be safer because you are the only one that has the password to your email account

Are you being serious right now Agbe or did you lose access to your account? Many newbies and lower rank look at those with Legendary rank as experts in cryptocurrency so they may take your words literally without doing further research. It is very very bad to store your seed phrase on your Gmail or anywhere online.

[Agbe]

Snip

My bad corrected it. Though email/gmail is well secured now and it is not easily hacked. But it is not advisable to keep vital information there and it is good to store your seed in the local way of paper or airgapped wallet.

[promise444c5]

It's still on Jumia did search it with this Blank Tags for Engraving and got this: https://www.jumia.com.ng/generic-10pcs-strip-bar-keychain-new-mirror-polish-stainless-steel-stamping-blank-keychain-for-diy-custom-name-engrave-tags-keychain-396322873.html.

While Amazon or other foreign platform is good, the delivery fee might be discouraging. I think another method might be to try any pet shop and ask for dog/pet tags of such feature, I guess this can be used as an alternative.

Good search..
Although not sure what’s really going to be as there were 2 different images, but still a good choice and can be easily returned if it doesn’t meet the expectation. Amazon is good too but the delivery is somehow like paying double of what is being purchased but if anyone can afford it, then there’s no problem  .
Most people don’t use dog tags on pet here in Nigeria but it could be worth giving a try.

Nice. Though I write my own on a piece of paper but one thing I like about this method be say you fit pay a technician to cut the metal into shapes for you and later get a tool take crest the seed phrase yourself.

Paper is actually a good approach too (so far it’s offline ) and you have more of it backed not to much ( the number is yours to decide), the steel plate is just an extra precaution towards some unforeseen events.
Regarding the metal plate, it comes in pieces that can be easily worked on , you can get the pack more than 12 pieces or more than 24 if you have a 24 word-list seed. You can try alternates too if you can get a big one just that you might pay extra than just getting the ready made one

[Obim34]

Snip

My bad corrected it. Though email/gmail is well secured now and it is not easily hacked. But it is not advisable to keep vital information there and it is good to store your seed in the local way of paper or airgapped wallet.

You think say e dey okay till you become victim. Using Gmail to save your private keys is not secure and shouldn't be encouraged to people.

Did you forget about Gmail attack? Gmail is now the most common method of signing up for personal applications, our main banks request for email, Opay/Palmpay even takes it as part of their verification level, if scammers should get hold of your Gmail by any means possible, everything saved up will be duped. Offline is a better way of securing keys than online.

[SatoPrincess]

Snip

My bad corrected it. Though email/gmail is well secured now and it is not easily hacked. But it is not advisable to keep vital information there and it is good to store your seed in the local way of paper or airgapped wallet.

Lol email accounts are not susceptible to hacks. And what do you mean by storing your seed phrase in an airgapped wallet? I have never heard of this method before. Please elaborate.