How to restore lost wallets

[Hypnotizer]

My wallet got missing almost 5 years ago and I did not bother recovery the bitcoins in it, and then recently I found the wallet in my archival stuff. I need suggestions and some more detailed procedures  about how I can restore the wallet from other people that had same experience.


Any suggestions or advice will be helpful

[BitMaxz]

Which one, actually, you ask? How to restore a wallet or how to restore someone's wallet?

Because if you are asking for a procedure to restore a wallet, we have some guides here, but it depends on what wallet. Is that Electrum, Bitcoin Core, or any other wallet?
Adding more details can help us to know if that wallet is recoverable or not.

If that's other people's wallet, you should have some experience before offering a recovery service.

[JeromeTash]

You should probably start by telling us the kind of wallet software you used back then to keep your Bitcoins. What's the file name or file extension of the wallets files (this could give a clue about the kind of wallet software you used)
Did you encrypt the wallets? If you did, you might want to remember the passwords you used back then.

[promise444c5]

Definitely, a cold storage wallet is what you should be using… Create a transaction, sign it, and then broadcast it without compromising your wallet and if it’s just about checking your balance for now, it still works. If you have a device that hasn’t been compromised, you can still use it, but you can never be completely sure it’s safe which is why I recommend setting up cold storage.

That being said, we still need to know exactly what you have (Not saying you should share your seed phrase or private keys), I just mean whether you currently have a seed or a private key/keys.
Also, which wallet did you use when setting it up? With that information, others can give you a more precise guide on how to set it up properly.

[Pmalek]

Is it fair to assume that you didn't make a backup of your seed? If you have your seed and optional passphrase and know the derivation paths where your bitcoins are (in case they are non-standard), then you don't need the actual wallet file to recover your coins. Bitcoin Core is an exception to this rule.

If the wallet file is encrypted with a password, you will need to remember it to decrypt the wallet. A password can perhaps be brute forced if it's really simple or if you have a good idea of what it was and perhaps you are only missing a part of it. If it's a really complex and long password with all sorts of characters, it might be an impossible task.

[Hypnotizer]

Which one, actually, you ask? How to restore a wallet or how to restore someone's wallet?

Because if you are asking for a procedure to restore a wallet, we have some guides here, but it depends on what wallet. Is that Electrum, Bitcoin Core, or any other wallet?
Adding more details can help us to know if that wallet is recoverable or not.

If that's other people's wallet, you should have some experience before offering a recovery service.

I’m talking about restoring my personal wallet, I will like to have the detailed procedure  so I can restore my wallet and to avoid making a mistake midway and it is an Electrum software.

You should probably start by telling us the kind of wallet software you used back then to keep your Bitcoins. What's the file name or file extension of the wallets files (this could give a clue about the kind of wallet software you used)
Did you encrypt the wallets? If you did, you might want to remember the passwords you used back then.

It’s a Electrum software and I still remember the password I used back then, I just need some detailed steps and procedures on how I can restore the wallet.

Is it fair to assume that you didn't make a backup of your seed? If you have your seed and optional passphrase and know the derivation paths where your bitcoins are (in case they are non-standard), then you don't need the actual wallet file to recover your coins. Bitcoin Core is an exception to this rule.

If the wallet file is encrypted with a password, you will need to remember it to decrypt the wallet. A password can perhaps be brute forced if it's really simple or if you have a good idea of what it was and perhaps you are only missing a part of it. If it's a really complex and long password with all sorts of characters, it might be an impossible task.

Probably yes because the wallet was missing almost five years ago, what I need currently is just the procedure or guide I can possibly use to easily recover my wallets and have my bitcoin back..

[Z-tight]

I’m talking about restoring my personal wallet, I will like to have the detailed procedure  so I can restore my wallet and to avoid making a mistake midway and it is an Electrum software.

It is not a long process, if you have the seed phrase, you simply download Electrum and use your seed phrase to restore your wallet. However, you must ensure you do this on a clean computer that is free from malware or in an airgapped device.

It’s a Electrum software and I still remember the password I used back then, I just need some detailed steps and procedures on how I can restore the wallet.

If you remember the password and you have the wallet file, what other detailed steps are you looking for. Simply use the password to decrypt the wallet. I have a feeling you are overthinking this thing.

[mcdouglasx]

The steps are simple: download the app from the official Electrum website, electrum.org, verify the downloaded file with the signatures (the instructions are in the download tab), and then proceed with the steps shown in the following images:

Now, if the wallet is correct, you can use your funds.

[nc50lc]

It’s a Electrum software and I still remember the password I used back then, I just need some detailed steps and procedures on how I can restore the wallet.

To be clear, do you have an electrum wallet file or seed phrase and not an "electrum.AppImage" or "electrum.exe" file saved in that archive?

If it's a wallet, just copy it to the correct directory for convenience and easy access: Copy it to your "wallets" folder, do not cut nor move (default location)
Then follow the instructions in the reply above, "Choose..." button will open the wallets folder by default.

If it's a seed phrase, just do this: https://bitcoinelectrum.com/restoring-your-standard-wallet-from-seed/

If you're online, you should have a reliably safe machine.
You may choose to do either of those on an "Air-Gap" machine for safety (highly-recommended),
And just follow this cold-storage wallet workflow to spend from it without exposing the wallet online. (at least until you've spent all)

[Hypnotizer]

I have a feeling you are overthinking this thing.

It is because I don’t want to make any slight mistake that will make me lose my coins.

It’s a Electrum software and I still remember the password I used back then, I just need some detailed steps and procedures on how I can restore the wallet.

To be clear, do you have an electrum wallet file or seed phrase and not an "electrum.AppImage" or "electrum.exe" file saved in that archive?

If it's a wallet, just copy it to the correct directory for convenience and easy access: Copy it to your "wallets" folder, do not cut nor move (default location)
Then follow the instructions in the reply above, "Choose..." button will open the wallets folder by default.

If it's a seed phrase, just do this: https://bitcoinelectrum.com/restoring-your-standard-wallet-from-seed/

If you're online, you should have a reliably safe machine.
You may choose to do either of those on an "Air-Gap" machine for safety (highly-recommended),
And just follow this cold-storage wallet workflow to spend from it without exposing the wallet online. (at least until you've spent all)

Thanks for the suggestion and I have already start the restoration processes.

The steps are simple: download the app from the official Electrum website, electrum.org, verify the downloaded file with the signatures (the instructions are in the download tab), and then proceed with the steps shown in the following images:

https://www.talkimg.com/images/2025/09/06/UnLuO8.jpeg

https://www.talkimg.com/images/2025/09/06/UnLAC3.jpeg

Now, if the wallet is correct, you can use your funds.

Have already downloaded the electrum software and I now have access to my funds

[Pmalek]

It is because I don’t want to make any slight mistake that will make me lose my coins.

You already put yourself in a situation where you could have lost your bitcoin by not making multiple backups of your seed phrase. Luckily, everything worked out in the end.

Have already downloaded the electrum software and I now have access to my funds

If you are going to continue to use your Electrum wallet, ensure that you back up your seed now. Don't put yourself in the same situation twice. After you open Electrum and unlock your wallet with your password, click on Wallet>Seed. Enter your password again and the software will display your seed. Back it up physically on multiple pieces of paper or metal. In the future, that seed is all you need (plus the Electrum software) to regain access to your funds. You don't have to go on a search for wallet files on your drive. The same is true for any other non-custodial wallet.

[Hypnotizer]

It is because I don’t want to make any slight mistake that will make me lose my coins.

You already put yourself in a situation where you could have lost your bitcoin by not making multiple backups of your seed phrase. Luckily, everything worked out in the end.

Have already downloaded the electrum software and I now have access to my funds

If you are going to continue to use your Electrum wallet, ensure that you back up your seed now. Don't put yourself in the same situation twice. After you open Electrum and unlock your wallet with your password, click on Wallet>Seed. Enter your password again and the software will display your seed. Back it up physically on multiple pieces of paper or metal. In the future, that seed is all you need (plus the Electrum software) to regain access to your funds. You don't have to go on a search for wallet files on your drive. The same is true for any other non-custodial wallet.

I was lucky it finally worked out and I access my coins again, I will make I sure I have multiple backups of my seed in the future..



Thank you all for your contribution and attention  to this…I appreciate it.

[pooya87]

I was lucky it finally worked out and I access my coins again, I will make I sure I have multiple backups of my seed in the future..

Make sure to store those backups in a secure place because as you can see anybody who gets their hand on your seed phrase can recover your wallet and take your coins. Therefore you should know that storing it digitally is the least safe. A physical backup (write it down and keep it in a place where nobody can access) is a lot better.

[BitMaxz]

I was lucky it finally worked out and I access my coins again, I will make I sure I have multiple backups of my seed in the future..

What's your plan with your funds from your current Electrum wallet?
If you are planning to keep it and hold it, I suggest you better create a cold storage Electrum wallet for safety purposes.

Since you already recovered your old wallet from an online device, we can't guarantee the safety of your wallet.
Having a cold storage wallet is way safer than with your current wallet.

[UchihaSarada]

Make sure to store those backups in a secure place because as you can see anybody who gets their hand on your seed phrase can recover your wallet and take your coins. Therefore you should know that storing it digitally is the least safe. A physical backup (write it down and keep it in a place where nobody can access) is a lot better.

How to backup a seed phrase ?
Securing your Bitcoin wallets.
Bitcoin security guide.

Three guides for OP on Bitcoin wallet security including wallet backups, what to do, what don't do.

[Hypnotizer]

Make sure to store those backups in a secure place because as you can see anybody who gets their hand on your seed phrase can recover your wallet and take your coins. Therefore you should know that storing it digitally is the least safe. A physical backup (write it down and keep it in a place where nobody can access) is a lot better.

How to backup a seed phrase ?
Securing your Bitcoin wallets.
Bitcoin security guide.

Three guides for OP on Bitcoin wallet security including wallet backups, what to do, what don't do.

I appreciate that….

I was lucky it finally worked out and I access my coins again, I will make I sure I have multiple backups of my seed in the future..

What's your plan with your funds from your current Electrum wallet?
If you are planning to keep it and hold it, I suggest you better create a cold storage Electrum wallet for safety purposes.

Since you already recovered your old wallet from an online device, we can't guarantee the safety of your wallet.
Having a cold storage wallet is way safer than with your current wallet.

I’m considering that but I don’t know where to find an authentic and real cold storage wallet  here in my local..but I’m still searching for it, I hope I find one soon because I am trying to hold it for as long as I can..

[mcdouglasx]

I’m considering that but I don’t know where to find an authentic and real cold storage wallet  here in my local..but I’m still searching for it, I hope I find one soon because I am trying to hold it for as long as I can..

You should consider using multi-signatures to strengthen your security, and if you want to store your coins for a long time it would be your best option, here the important thing is your seed, the backup of the wallet is only a backup, the security of the seed is stronger than the wallet file itself in general, because I assume that remembering the key after so much time, indicates to me that it is something relatively easy to guess (or to brute force).

[BitMaxz]

I’m considering that but I don’t know where to find an authentic and real cold storage wallet  here in my local..but I’m still searching for it, I hope I find one soon because I am trying to hold it for as long as I can..

Real? Authentic? It seems that you don't know much about cold storage; it should be a device that is completely disconnected from the internet. Electrum can be used as a cold storage wallet and must have a separate device.
One device should have no connection, and the other one should have internet connection for watch-only wallet.

Read more here: https://electrum.readthedocs.io/en/latest/coldstorage.html

[Hypnotizer]

I’m considering that but I don’t know where to find an authentic and real cold storage wallet  here in my local..but I’m still searching for it, I hope I find one soon because I am trying to hold it for as long as I can..

Real? Authentic?

Yh because I heard that they are fake cold wallets out there and I will like to have a good one.

It seems that you don't know much about cold storage; it should be a device that is completely disconnected from the internet. Electrum can be used as a cold storage wallet and must have a separate device.
One device should have no connection, and the other one should have internet connection for watch-only wallet.

Read more here: https://electrum.readthedocs.io/en/latest/coldstorage.html

Okay ……..I appreciate your effort on this…

I’m considering that but I don’t know where to find an authentic and real cold storage wallet  here in my local..but I’m still searching for it, I hope I find one soon because I am trying to hold it for as long as I can..

You should consider using multi-signatures to strengthen your security, and if you want to store your coins for a long time it would be your best option, here the important thing is your seed, the backup of the wallet is only a backup, the security of the seed is stronger than the wallet file itself in general, because I assume that remembering the key after so much time, indicates to me that it is something relatively easy to guess (or to brute force).

I’m working on the multi-signature and I currently have multiple backup of my seed and talking about how easy it is to guess……my seed is the most rarely guessable seed on the planet earth for it is extraordinary..just that I stored it in my memory and that was why I remembered it that easy.

[Z-tight]

and I currently have multiple backup of my seed and talking about how easy it is to guess……
~~~
just that I stored it in my memory and that was why I remembered it that easy.

The multiple backups include both your physical backup and the one stored in your memory right? If that is the combination, then there is no problem. It is not recommended to commit your seed phrase to memory as your only backup, because there are many things that could happen to you, and you would lose your coins.

Yh because I heard that they are fake cold wallets out there and I will like to have a good one.

It is possible to buy a hardware wallet that has been tampered with, that is if you buy it in the wrong place. However, if you buy from the manufacturer or an official reseller, you'll be getting the authentic device.