The computer/ phone sees every thing on its screen

[Lucius]

If you are using Windows, it may be time to stop.  Recall does particularly what you are concerned about.  I am not sure yet whether the screenshots it takes have any link to the internet but I am very sure these will be stored SOME WHERE, 'encrypted'.

So in the future maybe you could ask Copilot to bring up the Seed you deleted by accident!  Microsoft for the win!  We all win!  By deleting Windows and moving away to Linux of course!

Do you think Linux is an operating system that has no risks?

Publicly released exploit code for an effectively unpatched vulnerability that gives root access to virtually all releases of Linux is setting off alarm bells as defenders scramble to ward off severe compromises inside data centers and on personal devices.

It's not just a matter of the OS someone uses, but also the way we think - my opinion today is that any wallet that has direct access to the internet cannot be considered secure, regardless of whether it's a hot desktop or hardware wallet. The seed should be generated strictly offline on an air-gapped device and never be able to be exposed online.

[LoyceV]

Who does guarantee that Microsoft , apple, google.. don't steal our secret phrases???

That's very easy: assume someone's after your Bitcoins (which is probably correct), and don't ever handle seed phrases on anything connected to the internet. A simple offline airgapped Linux Live distribution running from RAM makes sure the world's billionaires (and small time script kiddies) can't reach it.

[Renampun]

If you're that worried about that, you can use a hardware wallet to store your Bitcoins.. regardless of the operating system, any device connected to the internet is at greater risk of becoming a target for malware or phishing attacks that could leak your seed phrase. using an offline device like a hardware wallet provides further security in that the device is less easily accessible than a device with a network.

[Ucy]

If you are using Windows, it may be time to stop.  Recall does particularly what you are concerned about.  I am not sure yet whether the screenshots it takes have any link to the internet but I am very sure these will be stored SOME WHERE, 'encrypted'.

So in the future maybe you could ask Copilot to bring up the Seed you deleted by accident!  Microsoft for the win!  We all win!  By deleting Windows and moving away to Linux of course!

Do you think Linux is an operating system that has no risks?

The only way, conventionally, we can be more certain is to build and use Bitcoin dedicated, fully opensource devices, operating system, softwares, etc, that are cryptographically secured in both state and operations such that it becomes possible to type encrypted seed phrases rather than plane ones which get decrypted internally.

[SableTeacup]

Yes, that risk exists. If your phone or computer has malware, screen recording, clipboard tracking, or a fake wallet app, your seed phrase can be exposed. That is why people use hardware wallets, download wallets only from official sources, avoid screenshots, and never type seed phrases on random sites. Non-custodial only means you control the keys. It does not mean your device is automatically safe. 

[KiaKia]

Always create your crypto wallets offline, disconnect the internet before creating, this kills every possible spy possible on your smartphone, and this is one reason why airgapped hardware wallet is the best.

It's 2026 already, people shouldn't be running or operating their crypto wallets on a smartphone, copy pasting is easy to get compromised, even your keyboard can decide to spy on the words you type in.

The best way to avoid all these threats is buying a airgapped hardware wallet, operate your crypto wallet away from the internet and away rom your computer and your smartphone.

[ColdLava40]

Not the first time something similar has happened so I'm quite paranoid with saving certain datas.
Or inputting certain information on places that requires internet access.

The algorithm tracker, we are been watched it's not something I will be surprised at.

Spend too much time searching for a product online, suddenly your social media feed becomes full of your search history. Two different apps, one device, what does that tell us about?

Op's concern is very understandable, I kinda reason that too some times. But we cannot be too safe. Except we could do everything completely offline then just maybe. But we have somehow been connected to the unrealistic aspect of the internet.

[serjent05]

What if windows, android, ios and other operating systems could see the secret phrase when we create a non custodial wallet?

Your Bitcoin and all your important stuff will be gone in a minute if someone is monitoring what your device sees.  That is why you must follow those who advise you in the reply to create an airgap wallet or create your BTC wallet offline.

It is better to be cautious than lose all your hard work.

The best way to avoid all these threats is buying a airgapped hardware wallet, operate your crypto wallet away from the internet and away rom your computer and your smartphone.

Should we use a smartwatch instead?  I wonder how we can process our Bitcoin transaction without a smartphone or PC.

[PrivacyG]

No one can guarantee that Microsoft, Apple, and Google... will not steal our secret phrases. We are only forced to blindly trust and believe that they will not steal them.

I can not remember Apple, Microsoft, Google or anyone else forcing you to use any of their services or platforms.  People voluntarily pay to store their nudes in their servers, voluntarily share private information to continue using some of the mentioned accounts, voluntarily choose to continue supporting them by using them.

Linux is always out there and so are other more private Email providers and so are there some other way more functional Search Engines than Google et cetera.

[Stalker22]

What if windows, android, ios and other operating systems could see the secret phrase when we create a non custodial wallet?

Except any of this devices is infected with a virus or malware, I do not think there is any way those behind this operating systems can view or see our seed phrase or private keys to our wallet, I can't bring my mind to imagine the possibility of those behind this operating systems being able to view the screen of our device or data stored on it without a malware or virus infecting the device..

Dont be so sure about that.  The people who build the operating system are the malware if they want to be.  They dont need to hack your device from the outside because they already control everything your device does.  Every time Windows (or Android or Apple OS) sends a "telemetry packet" or a "diagnostic report" back home, you have absolutely no idea what is actually packed inside that encrypted data bundle.  We already know from regulatory investigations that they routinely harvest app data and user activity without permission:

$135M Google Android data transfer class action settlement (2026)
Apple faces new lawsuit over its data collection practices in first-party apps, like the App Store

What if windows, android, ios and other operating systems could see the secret phrase when we create a non custodial wallet?

That's why we have airgap option, if you are too afraid the device you are using is going to see your seed phrase get a hardware wallet (which is not completely recommended since you will later connect it to the internet) or change one of your old device to an offline wallet, wipe it out by formatting and never connect it to the internet again.

I know about this method but my question has always been what if they user at some point in time decided he want to move some of this coins to another wallet or maybe he wants to sell, will he not still connect the same device or wallet to the Internet to enable him move the bitcoins?

Not necessarily.  For max security, you can sign transactions on an offline device and only use an internet-connected device purely to broadcast it to the network.  That way, your private keys stay completely isolated offline and never actually touch the internet.

[NotFuzzyWarm]

Should we use a smartwatch instead?  I wonder how we can process our Bitcoin transaction without a smartphone or PC

Smartwatches rely on using a Bluetooth connection to a smartphone or pc.... Stand alone they are just sensor laden data loggers.

Do not forget that sooner or later you DO require an internet connection to put a tx onto the BTC network and interact with it...

[davis196]

What if windows, android, ios and other operating systems could see the secret phrase when we create a non custodial wallet?

Move from Windows and Android to a safe Linux distro or use Tails OS.
I think that you are becoming a little bit paranoid. We can try to ask a similar questions. What if Windows, Android and iOS can see the credit/debit card data that you put in when you make online purchases with fiat money? What if Windows, Android and iOS can see your login credentials when you login to your online bank account? Online bank theft could potentially reach record highs, but I have doubts that big corporations like Google, Microsoft and Apple would ever start stealing people's money in the bank or crypto wallet seed phrases. It's not that I trust the "Big Tech", but such cases of online theft can have negative consequences for these corporations.

[Hewlet]

What if windows, android, ios and other operating systems could see the secret phrase when we create a non custodial wallet?

privacy has never been as private as we see it and that is the reason why you have to play your part in ensuring that you are protected by certain level of vulnerability. at least, we can assume that they can see what we are writing on our device they wont sell the data to a third party that can use it to still our asset and that is why you just copy it out and let it be. you can protect yourself from those that made the phone you are using because obviously knows more about the phone than you do. we use it with the faith that they wont share sensitive data with sources that are harmful to users. you stay protected in areas you can be and act wise in areas you can not.

[m2017]

What if windows, android, ios and other operating systems could see the secret phrase when we create a non custodial wallet?

That's why never save your keys or recovery phrases on any devices.

Don't necessarily have to save it, but rather enter it. For example, when you create a mobile wallet, a seed phrase appears on your phone screen with the option to save it (anywhere). At that point, why can't stealers steal your newly generated seed phrase from the screen, which you'll later transfer your assets to?

I think the most reasonable solution is to store very small amounts in mobile wallets. What foolish user would store all their accumulated assets over a lifetime? Hardware wallets exist for this purpose.

You can also carefully select phones based on their OS. For example, there are phone lines based on Ubuntu OS (of course, this isn't a 100% guarantee of security, but why not?).

[yhiaali3]

No one can guarantee that Microsoft, Apple, and Google... will not steal our secret phrases. We are only forced to blindly trust and believe that they will not steal them.

I can not remember Apple, Microsoft, Google or anyone else forcing you to use any of their services or platforms.  People voluntarily pay to store their nudes in their servers, voluntarily share private information to continue using some of the mentioned accounts, voluntarily choose to continue supporting them by using them.

Linux is always out there and so are other more private Email providers and so are there some other way more functional Search Engines than Google et cetera.

I agree with you that Linux is much better and safer than Windows, but for me, no system is 100% secure as long as there is an internet connection, not even Linux, because any malware with root privileges that infiltrates the device can steal everything.

What you're saying is true: Linux as an operating system does not collect your data or send it to any party, but the browser may leak, the add-ons may leak, the programs may leak, the clipboard may leak, the screenshot daemons may capture the screen, and the keylogger may record everything.