Electrum Android - problems after paper wallet import

[aaronab]

Hi, I wanna ask you guys for help with my Electrum Wallet on Android (Version 4.7.2). Some time before I imported a key from my paper wallet - that was successful, but it was only possible by entering the private key manually. I could not scan the QR code, because nothing happened after the scanning, it just went back to the basic black screen with the button ''paste from clipboard'. This button also did not work, nothing responded after clicking, the sending option seems to be completely defect. So now I have the following problem: My private key is imported now, but I have no seed to import my coins in another wallet. I cannot send my coins, because the disfunctional camera/paste from clipboard button opens automatically when trying. Is there another way to export my BTC without a seed in Android Electrum wallet that you know about? Thank you for responding.

[OmegaStarScream]

I'm not sure about all of these issues, but assuming the wallet has the necessary permissions, is there any reason as to why you're not trying another wallet instead?

You could use something like Blue wallet and import the private keys there. See the guide: https://bluewallet.io/docs/import-wallet/

[aaronab]

I'm not sure about all of these issues, but is there any reason as to why you're not trying another wallet instead?

You could use something like Blue wallet and import the private keys there. See the guide: https://bluewallet.io/docs/import-wallet/

You can then send them wherever you want.

Yeah I already tried that with an Electrum Wallet on another phone, because I expected my app to be broken and tried another clean installed one. But when I import my private key again, the only received amount is zero now. As much as I understand, are my coins now stored locally in my defected Electrum wallet without any possible backup.

[OmegaStarScream]

Yeah I already tried that with an Electrum Wallet on another phone, because I expected my app to be broken and tried another clean installed one. But when I import my private key again, the only received amount is zero now. As much as I understand, are my coins now stored locally in my defected Electrum wallet without any possible backup.

Could you share the wallet address (not the private keys) of the paper wallet? Just to make sure that the funds are still there.

But to answer your question, there is importing private keys, and there is also sweeping.

Sweeping requires you to first create a wallet with a seedphrase, so that the funds from the paper wallet would be transferred (an actual transaction happens) to the newly created wallet.

Importing however, is just taking that private keys and making it usable and accessible from the Electrum wallet. No transactions are made, and the funds remain on the original private key.

So if you have done the former (importing) cause I'm not sure if Electrum still allows that? the funds in this case, should still be in your original paper wallet.

[aaronab]

Yeah I already tried that with an Electrum Wallet on another phone, because I expected my app to be broken and tried another clean installed one. But when I import my private key again, the only received amount is zero now. As much as I understand, are my coins now stored locally in my defected Electrum wallet without any possible backup.

Could you share the wallet address (not the private keys) of the paper wallet? Just to make sure that the funds are still there.

But to answer your question, there is importing private keys, and there is also sweeping.

Sweeping requires you to first create a wallet with a seedphrase, so that the funds from the paper wallet would be transferred (an actual transaction happens) to the newly created wallet.

Importing however, is just taking that private keys and making it usable and accessible from the Electrum wallet. No transactions are made, and the funds remain on the original private key.

So if you have done the former (importing) cause I'm not sure if Electrum still allows that? the funds in this case, should still be in your original paper wallet.

I only used the 'standard' key importing feature as I did in the past. This always worked flawless in Electrum.

Here is the pub key: 1MRyTn4PGQ7nxEB36B4SUykkdyZjR1wwQq

[Stalker22]

I only used the 'standard' key importing feature as I did in the past. This always worked flawless in Electrum.
~

I never had any problems with the Electrum wallet on Android, but honestly, I never had the need to import private keys into it.  I have imported paper wallets into Electrum desktop, though.  Just to eliminate a potential software glitch, do you have access to a desktop or laptop?  Perhaps the easiest way would be to try importing to the Electrum desktop app. (Make sure you are downloading from the official website and that you have properly verified the download.)

[aaronab]

I only used the 'standard' key importing feature as I did in the past. This always worked flawless in Electrum.
~

I never had any problems with the Electrum wallet on Android, but honestly, I never had the need to import private keys into it.  I have imported paper wallets into Electrum desktop, though.  Just to eliminate a potential software glitch, do you have access to a desktop or laptop?  Perhaps the easiest way would be to try importing to the Electrum desktop app. (Make sure you are downloading from the official website and that you have properly verified the download.)

The thing is, I already tried that. When I import the same paper wallet key in another wallet, the amount is zero. I am not really technically aware of, how the whole import process works, but I asume, that the coins now are stored locally in my broken wallet.

[Stalker22]

I only used the 'standard' key importing feature as I did in the past. This always worked flawless in Electrum.
~

I never had any problems with the Electrum wallet on Android, but honestly, I never had the need to import private keys into it.  I have imported paper wallets into Electrum desktop, though.  Just to eliminate a potential software glitch, do you have access to a desktop or laptop?  Perhaps the easiest way would be to try importing to the Electrum desktop app. (Make sure you are downloading from the official website and that you have properly verified the download.)

The thing is, I already tried that. When I import the same paper wallet key in another wallet, the amount is zero. I am not really technically aware of, how the whole import process works, but I asume, that the coins now are stored locally in my broken wallet.

That address you showed before definitely has funds on it.  Now all you have to do is import the private key and the funds should be available for you to spend.  If your wallet shows zero amount it means you did not import the correct private key (assuming the wallet is online and fully synced with the network),

[hosemary]

You imported your private key into electrum, but you don't see any funds. Did I understand you correctly?
If so, either you imported a wrong private key or your wallet hasn't been synced properly.

Do you see a green circle at top right corner of the screen?
Do you see the correct address in your electrum wallet?

So if you have done the former (importing) cause I'm not sure if Electrum still allows that?

It does.
You can create a new wallet by importing your private key(s) in electrum.

I am not really technically aware of, how the whole import process works, but I asume, that the coins now are stored locally in my broken wallet.

Your bitcoin is not stored in your device. Your bitcoin is in the blockchain and you can have the same wallet on multiple devices.

[LoyceV]

Here is the pub key: 1MRyTn4PGQ7nxEB36B4SUykkdyZjR1wwQq

You said you imported the keys "some time ago", but this address was only funded yesterday.
You want to "export" your Bitcoin, which makes no sense. You can either use your existing private key, or send the Bitcoin to a new address.

I suggest you read up on how Bitcoin works before you continue. Learn the difference between seed phrases, private keys, importing and sending. This might stop you from making an expensive mistake.

[nc50lc]

I cannot send my coins, because the disfunctional camera/paste from clipboard button opens automatically when trying.

That is the default behavior in Mobile Electrum, if working correctly, that black screen should display what you camera can capture.
Since it's black screen, Electrum can't access your camera. (it should've asked for permission on the first time you click send)

A workaround is to pre-copy the recipient's address outside of the app, e.g. from blockexplorer.
Then open Electrum, click "Send" to go back to that window and click "Paste from clipboard".

But when I import my private key again, the only received amount is zero now. As much as I understand, are my coins now stored locally in my defected Electrum wallet without any possible backup.

Did you use "Sweep Key" or you created a new wallet and selected "Import bitcoin addresses or private keys" when you imported that private key to Electrum?
Because if the former, that automatically sent all of that key's Bitcoin to the wallet where you used the feature.
If the latter, it could be something in the options or connection when you imported it.

[Abdussamad]

The paper wallet address he shared above has unspent outputs so he didn't sweep the funds.

[AakZaki]

I think now the OP can access the Bitcoin address shared above, because the Bitcoin has been moved to another address and that address is now empty.
And this is why the OP has also not responded, because the problem has been resolved and let the thread continue to be commented on. lol

[nc50lc]

The paper wallet address he shared above has unspent outputs so he didn't sweep the funds.

But the shared address is just funded recently, a few days before posting this topic.
Some users are questioning that and I'm thinking that he might have given the address of the wallet where it's swept (if he did use sweep).
So, some users including me asked if he used sweep or import.
But that's just for clarification.

In my post, the important part is the workaround to the actual issue: he couldn't send.

[LoyceV]

But the shared address is just funded recently, a few days before posting this topic.
Some users are questioning that and I'm thinking that he might have given the address of the wallet where it's swept (if he did use sweep).

The address that funded that paper wallet was also funded on the same day, and it happened a few more times "higher up the chain". I don't know what OP has been doing, it looks like he sent from several legacy paper wallets to other paper wallets, including splitting and merging, until it finally went to a Segwit address in a new wallet (maybe Electrum). But I'm only speculating here

[Cricktor]

The thing is, I already tried that. When I import the same paper wallet key in another wallet, the amount is zero.

Your paper wallet uses a legacy P2PKH public address and you need to tell a wallet what address type to use when you import a private key (if the wallet isn't smart enough to figure it out on its own), because the private key doesn't "care about" public address types. Public addresses are basically a recipe for the wallet software on how to construct the redeem script to move bitcoins on the blockchain from one address to another. Coins on a P2PKH (legacy) address aren't seen when the wallet expects to work e.g. with P2WPKH (Segwit) addresses.

The "another" wallet might have defaulted to Segwit addresses when you imported the private key, therefore it's not a surprise (for those who have better technical understanding of Bitcoin) that the "another" wallet didn't show any balance or coins after the import.

I am not really technically aware of, how the whole import process works, but I asume, that the coins now are stored locally in my broken wallet.

It's quite obvious that you should spend some time at https://learnmeabitcoin.com to learn some of the basics how Bitcoin works.

Your coins are never "stored" in any of your wallets. Bitcoins only "live" and move on the blockchain. Your wallet only stores the private keys which enable you to move your coins (I'm very oversimplifying it here).

[Abdussamad]

If you don't specify an address type electrum assumes it's a p2pkh address by default when importing private keys.

[BitMaxz]

The OP didn't mention how exactly he generated the paper wallet; the QR code generated might not be compatible with Electrum. 

@OP
If your public key or address starts with 1, it means you're importing a legacy (P2PKH). it should work on Electrum; there's no difference between importing it through a QR code and pasting your private key. It won't also generate a seed phrase. That back priv key is enough to import them to any wallet you want; you can also import it to Bitcoin Core, Mycelium, and Armory, but Unstoppable Wallet and Sparrow do not support a single key; you will need the xpriv master key or seed phrase.

[nc50lc]

The OP didn't mention how exactly he generated the paper wallet; the QR code generated might not be compatible with Electrum. 

I think OP was describing the QR Code scanner in the "Send" menu.
It's just the post isn't well-formatted that it's confusing which part describes the private key import part and the actual issue, which is send.

Reference; after describing how he imported the private key (already did prior), he tried to send and told us what he experienced:

I could not scan the QR code, because nothing happened after the scanning, it just went back to the basic black screen with the button ''paste from clipboard'. This button also did not work, nothing responded after clicking, the sending option seems to be completely defect.

Otherwise if it's about the private key QR, it wont proceed if the QR is incompatible
Or if it does, Electrum should detect the incompatible data and show: "Error Invalid private key(s)" without going back to the scanner window.

I also noticed that he's expecting "Paste from clipboard" button to prompt something after clicking it, that's why he called the feature "disfunctional".
But what it actually does is check the user's clipboard for address or invoice and use it as the recipient, if valid, proceed to the actual send window.

He already spent the funds though, so the main issue is solved now.
His QR scanner on the other hand, looks like an isolated case.