Which offline wallet do you use, and why?

[goldsun]

I need a good and reliable offline wallet. I've heard and read on electrum and bitcoin core, the one that is the original one if I am not wrong. I also read good things about armory. But which one to use, and why?

I need something that is simple to use but with good security, and something that I don't need to update the software each and every day.

[AltcoinInvestor]

I'm using bitcoin-core.

it's password protected (20+ ch4r p4s5w0rd).

wallet.dat is copied at least 3 places. (phone, flash memory etc)

[JeffDeChesare]

I use bitcoin core but just for storing my coins all the gambling funds are in blockchain because i think it's most secure and i don't know how
to setup armory tried it never got it to work.

[wunkbone]

Using bitcoin-core too. Take up really a lot of space...

[szmarco]

I use Brainwallet html pages.It's small, simple and Compatible for all OS, and itprovides all functions as a cold wallet.

[jaberwock]

I use core because it is reliable, for the funds I won't plan to move for at least a few days

For everyday use I use blockchan wallets

[Omikifuse]

I also use the core as offline wallet.

Problem is the sync process

[pooya87]

the only thing that helped me choose is the hard drive size requirement
bitcoin core needs to download an initial 26 GB of data (blockchain) and to download more every time you want to update your wallet which is necessary when you want to send and recieve
but electrum uses online blockchain which means you only download the wallet without that 26 GB and growing it will only take 60 MB of your hard drive and won't take long to synch with network

[ranochigo]

I use Bitaddress.org as my offline wallet. It is opensourced and pretty easy to use and generate. Paper wallets tend to be much more durable than those stored on electronic devices.

[Jamie_Boulder]

I'm using bitcoin-core.

it's password protected (20+ ch4r p4s5w0rd).

wallet.dat is copied at least 3 places. (phone, flash memory etc)

That's actually pretty cool and here I was slaving away doing it manually myself.

[ScryptAsic]

Bitcoin-core, its not really offline wallet but I installed into a fresh window 7 laptop and make it offline afterward. So does that consider offline wallet?

[Sharpe]

Just use any lite client that doesn't download the entire blockchain and then keep the wallet.dat file offline and backed up several times and you should be fine with that.

[goldsun]

Lots of people vote for bitcoin core but it takes a lot of space, don't it?

I am playing with electrum now, it seems cool and not too advanced. I read somewhere on the forum that someone lost like 1.5 BTC in just fee, and it was a human misstake. Not the wallets fault.

So my question is, can I be safe by only using electrum and back it up? Is it the default_wallet file?

I also downloaded bitcoin core just to test it out, and I guess that one is downloading the entire blockchain but what does that mean exactly?

I am a bit new to the offline wallets, thats why. Thanks for all replies.

[ranochigo]

Lots of people vote for bitcoin core but it takes a lot of space, don't it?

I am playing with electrum now, it seems cool and not too advanced. I read somewhere on the forum that someone lost like 1.5 BTC in just fee, and it was a human misstake. Not the wallets fault.

So my question is, can I be safe by only using electrum and back it up? Is it the default_wallet file?

I also downloaded bitcoin core just to test it out, and I guess that one is downloading the entire blockchain but what does that mean exactly?

I am a bit new to the offline wallets, thats why. Thanks for all replies.

If you only need the wallet, you don't have to download the blockchain. Just export your wallet.dat and you are good to go. If you are looking to send and get balance, only then you have to download the blockchain. Otherwise, addresses are created without the need of internet connection.

[cp1]

I use armory, it works really well.  I'm sure electrum is fine too.

[chanz]

Lots of people vote for bitcoin core but it takes a lot of space, don't it?

I am playing with electrum now, it seems cool and not too advanced. I read somewhere on the forum that someone lost like 1.5 BTC in just fee, and it was a human misstake. Not the wallets fault.

So my question is, can I be safe by only using electrum and back it up? Is it the default_wallet file?

I also downloaded bitcoin core just to test it out, and I guess that one is downloading the entire blockchain but what does that mean exactly?

I am a bit new to the offline wallets, thats why. Thanks for all replies.

I use bitcoin core too. The blockchain's size is the only draw bag of it. It means that file keep all the history of transactions that has happened in
bitcoin and the current size of my blockchain is 26.8Gb completely synced.

[goldsun]

I think I kinda get the hold of it now finally, lol.

I am using electrum. What if I uninstall my electrum wallet, but still got the seed. Will I have my bitcoins if I download the wallet again and insert my seed?

And if I use Bitcoincore, can I just use it for storing the bitcoins without needing to download the blockchain? If I am going to move bitcoins from one wallet to another I need the blockchian or is it not needed? Could I just generate an adress and receive the btc's?

[Wusolini]

I am using electrum. What if I uninstall my electrum wallet, but still got the seed. Will I have my bitcoins if I download the wallet again and insert my seed?

Yes your seed is your paper wallet. From this seed you are able to generate again all your addresses.

And if I use Bitcoincore, can I just use it for storing the bitcoins without needing to download the blockchain?

Nope, Bitcoin core is full client and requires blockchain. But you can once generate an address, keep the privat key and delete core incl. blockchain from your HDD. (your generated addy will remain valid and you can still send bitcoins to. But to be able spending you would need to import private key to any wallet.

If I am going to move bitcoins from one wallet to another I need the blockchian or is it not needed? Could I just generate an adress and receive the btc's?

Two options:
1 - send them by regural transaction -  blockchain required
2 - move whole addy to new wallet (import) - no need of blockchain.

[goldsun]

I am using electrum. What if I uninstall my electrum wallet, but still got the seed. Will I have my bitcoins if I download the wallet again and insert my seed?

Yes your seed is your paper wallet. From this seed you are able to generate again all your addresses.

And if I use Bitcoincore, can I just use it for storing the bitcoins without needing to download the blockchain?

Nope, Bitcoin core is full client and requires blockchain. But you can once generate an address, keep the privat key and delete core incl. blockchain from your HDD. (your generated addy will remain valid and you can still send bitcoins to. But to be able spending you would need to import private key to any wallet.

If I am going to move bitcoins from one wallet to another I need the blockchian or is it not needed? Could I just generate an adress and receive the btc's?

Two options:
1 - send them by regural transaction -  blockchain required
2 - move whole addy to new wallet (import) - no need of blockchain.

I appreciate the answers, thank you!

I got another question tho. I saw on a guide on how to import private keys in electrum, but when I tried to do it, electrum said: Warning! imported keys are not recoverable from a seed. If you ever need to restore your wallet from its seed, these keys will be lost. Are you sure you understand what you are doing?

I don't understand much about import private keys and what that warning message is meaning. A bit of explain would be highly appriciated.

Also, is it ok to have the portable verision of electrum on an external harddrive, instead of the PC? And with a few copies of the wallet.data of course.

[The Bad Guy]

I'am using Electrum because it's protected , no need to download that blockchain thingy , and you don't need to take backups you should check electrum.org for more informations mate