How to import private keys - Revision history

Tkalfigo: /* Unlock your wallet */

2019-08-19T19:39:45Z

Unlock your wallet

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:39, 19 August 2019
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	Another alternative is to use a bash variable:		Another alternative is to use a bash variable:

	read x		read -s -p 'Type your passphrase: ' x
	(input your passphrase)		(input your passphrase)
	bitcoind walletpassphrase "$x" 120 # Do not set the timeout too long or too short.		bitcoind walletpassphrase "$x" 120 # Do not set the timeout too long or too short.

Habs at 18:40, 9 January 2018

2018-01-09T18:40:35Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:40, 9 January 2018
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	= Using Blockchain.info =		= Using Blockchain.info =
	As of August 2012, possibly the easiest way to import a private key is using [[Blockchain.info]]'s My Wallet service. When successully imported through the "Import/Export" screen, the bitcoins assigned to a private key can be immediately sent to any Bitcoin address.		As of August 2012, possibly the easiest way to import a private key is using [[Blockchain.info]]'s My Wallet service. When successully imported through the "Import/Export" screen, the bitcoins assigned to a private key can be immediately sent to any Bitcoin address. '''It is extremely risky and not recommended to use Blockchain.info or any online third-party service to import private keys, because they can steal your BitCoins if they have the keys. It's best to import them using bitcoind as described below.'''

	= Using BIPS =		= Using BIPS =
	As of August 2013, [[File:BIPS.gif\|20px\|link=https://bips.me]] [[BIPS]] allows for easy import of private key using Paper Wallet - Import. User can choose to type in the private key manually or scan a QR code containing the private key using the camera. The user must wait 6 confirmations for access to the funds, and system is based on batch importation.		As of August 2013, [[File:BIPS.gif\|20px\|link=https://bips.me]] [[BIPS]] allows for easy import of private key using Paper Wallet - Import. User can choose to type in the private key manually or scan a QR code containing the private key using the camera. The user must wait 6 confirmations for access to the funds, and system is based on batch importation. '''It is extremely risky and not recommended to use BIPS or any online third-party service to import private keys, because they can steal your BitCoins if they have the keys. It's best to import them using bitcoind as described below.'''

	= Using Mycelium =		= Using Mycelium =

JonathanCross: /* Start Bitcoin client */ "damon" => "daemon"

2017-12-19T01:54:48Z

Start Bitcoin client: "damon" => "daemon"

← Older revision		Revision as of 01:54, 19 December 2017
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	== Start Bitcoin client ==		== Start Bitcoin client ==
	Unlike third-party wallet.dat manipulation tools such as [[Pywallet]], you do not have to close the Bitcoin client before proceeding. Instead, you need to start the bitcoind server.		Unlike third-party wallet.dat manipulation tools such as [[Pywallet]], you do not have to close the Bitcoin client before proceeding. Instead, you need to start the bitcoind server.
	* Close bitcoin-qt and start ''bitcoind -~~damon''~~ in Terminal Emulator. The version of bitcoind MUST be the same as bitcoin-qt!		* Close bitcoin-qt and start <code>bitcoind -daemon</code> in Terminal Emulator. The version of bitcoind MUST be the same as bitcoin-qt!

	Bitcoin-QT does not enable its RPC interface by default. To enable it:		Bitcoin-QT does not enable its RPC interface by default. To enable it:

Newar: Added some references as to why importing is a bad idea, if you have more, please expand. Added Mycelium availability on iTunes.

2015-02-10T06:01:37Z

Added some references as to why importing is a bad idea, if you have more, please expand. Added Mycelium availability on iTunes.

← Older revision		Revision as of 06:01, 10 February 2015
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	Before reading this page, users should note that messing with ECDSA private keys is very dangerous and can result in losing bitcoins, even long after the import.		Before reading this page, users should note that messing with ECDSA private keys is very dangerous and can result in losing bitcoins, even long after the import.
	It is recommended that outside of self-generated vanity addresses, users should ''never'' import (or export) private keys.		It is recommended that outside of self-generated vanity addresses, users should ''never'' import (or export) private keys.<ref>[https://bitcoin.stackexchange.com/questions/29948/why-doc-says-importing-private-keys-is-so-dangerous Bitcoin StackExchange - Why doc says importing private keys is so dangerous?]</ref><ref>[https://bitcoin.stackexchange.com/questions/18619/why-so-many-warnings-about-importing-private-keys Bitcoin StackExchange - Why so many warnings about importing private keys?]</ref>

	= Using Blockchain.info =		= Using Blockchain.info =
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	== Partial spend from cold storage ==		== Partial spend from cold storage ==
	Use this function if you would like to keep some funds on the paper wallet.		Use this function if you would like to keep some funds on the paper wallet.
	# Download [https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.mycelium.wallet&hl=en Mycelium] from the Android Play Store		# Download [https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.mycelium.wallet&hl=en Mycelium] from the Android Play Store or through iTunes.
	# Press the menu button and select "Cold Storage"		# Press the menu button and select "Cold Storage"
	# Scan in private key		# Scan in private key
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	== Import key from a paper wallet ==		== Import key from a paper wallet ==
	Use this function if you would like to import a private key so all funds are immediately available for spending.		Use this function if you would like to import a private key so all funds are immediately available for spending.
	# Download [https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.mycelium.wallet&hl=en Mycelium] from the Android Play Store		# Download [https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.mycelium.wallet&hl=en Mycelium] from the Android Play Store or through iTunes.
	# Key Management		# Key Management
	# Press the blue '+' symbol		# Press the blue '+' symbol
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	===Deleting Keys===		===Deleting Keys===
	At some point, you may wish to delete private keys from a wallet.dat file but as of version v0.6.0 of Bitcoin-QT/bitcoind, there is no RPC method available for this purpose.		At some point, you may wish to delete private keys from a wallet.dat file but as of version v0.6.0 of Bitcoin-QT/bitcoind, there is no RPC method available for this purpose.

			==References==
			<references />

	[[Category:Instructional]]		[[Category:Instructional]]

Lapp0: /* Import Private key(s) */

2014-12-19T10:59:24Z

Import Private key(s)

← Older revision		Revision as of 10:59, 19 December 2014
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	The importing process is now started. Bitcoind will rescan the entire block data to ensure this key has not been used before. This process will take from one to two minutes, depending on your CPU performance. DO NOT abort it before finishing!		The importing process is now started. Bitcoind will rescan the entire block data to ensure this key has not been used before. This process will take from one to two minutes, depending on your CPU performance. DO NOT abort it before finishing!

			To avoid rescanning run the following.

			(space)bitcoind importprivkey 5yourveryveryveryverylongprivatekeystring" "label-here" rescan=false

	If no errors occurs, the import is a success and Bitcoin-QT users will be able to see the new address in the GUI immediately. If you need to import more keys, just repeat the instructions above. There is currently no command to import a batch of private keys so you will need to wait a minute or two for each key to be imported.		If no errors occurs, the import is a success and Bitcoin-QT users will be able to see the new address in the GUI immediately. If you need to import more keys, just repeat the instructions above. There is currently no command to import a batch of private keys so you will need to wait a minute or two for each key to be imported.

Ashaman: Removed Mt.Gox entry, updated partial spend from cold storage.

2014-03-05T14:51:21Z

Removed Mt.Gox entry, updated partial spend from cold storage.

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:51, 5 March 2014
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	= Using BIPS =		= Using BIPS =
	As of August 2013, [[File:BIPS.gif\|20px\|link=https://bips.me]] [[BIPS]] allows for easy import of private key using Paper Wallet - Import. User can choose to type in the private key manually or scan a QR code containing the private key using the camera. The user must wait 6 confirmations for access to the funds, and system is based on batch importation.		As of August 2013, [[File:BIPS.gif\|20px\|link=https://bips.me]] [[BIPS]] allows for easy import of private key using Paper Wallet - Import. User can choose to type in the private key manually or scan a QR code containing the private key using the camera. The user must wait 6 confirmations for access to the funds, and system is based on batch importation.

	~~= Using Mt. Gox =~~
	The [[MtGox]] Bitcoin exchange will allow individual private keys to be redeemed but since they must sweep the address, the user must wait 6 confirmations for access to the funds. There is an API method to import an entire wallet.dat as well.

	= Using Mycelium =		= Using Mycelium =
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	# Send!		# Send!

	After spending, the private key in memory is destroyed so the paper private key remains somewhat secure.		After spending, the private key in memory is destroyed so the paper private key remains somewhat secure. Despite this, best practice is to immediately send the remaining balance to a paper wallet that was generated offline.

	== Import key from a paper wallet ==		== Import key from a paper wallet ==

MagicFab: /* Using BIPS */

2014-02-10T12:22:41Z

Using BIPS

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:22, 10 February 2014
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	= Using BIPS =		= Using BIPS =
	As of August 2013, [[File:BIPS.gif\|20px\|link=https://bips.me]] [[BIPS]] allows for easy import of private key using Paper Wallet - Import. User can choose to type in the private key manually or scan a QR code containing the private key using the camera. The user must wait 6 confirmations for access to the funds, and system is based on batch importation.		As of August 2013, [[File:BIPS.gif\|20px\|link=https://bips.me]] [[BIPS]] allows for easy import of private key using Paper Wallet - Import. User can choose to type in the private key manually or scan a QR code containing the private key using the camera. The user must wait 6 confirmations for access to the funds, and system is based on batch importation.

			= Using Mt. Gox =
			The [[MtGox]] Bitcoin exchange will allow individual private keys to be redeemed but since they must sweep the address, the user must wait 6 confirmations for access to the funds. There is an API method to import an entire wallet.dat as well.

	= Using Mycelium =		= Using Mycelium =

MagicFab: /* Using Blockchain.info */ removed Mt. Gox mention

2014-02-10T12:22:02Z

Using Blockchain.info: removed Mt. Gox mention

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:22, 10 February 2014
Line 5:		Line 5:

	= Using Blockchain.info =		= Using Blockchain.info =
	As of August 2012, possibly the easiest way to import a private key is using [[Blockchain.info]]'s My Wallet service. When successully imported through the "Import/Export" screen, the bitcoins assigned to a private key can be immediately sent to any Bitcoin address. The [[MtGox]] Bitcoin exchange will allow individual private keys to be redeemed but since they must sweep the address, the user must wait 6 confirmations for access to the funds. There is an API method to import an entire wallet.dat as well.		As of August 2012, possibly the easiest way to import a private key is using [[Blockchain.info]]'s My Wallet service. When successully imported through the "Import/Export" screen, the bitcoins assigned to a private key can be immediately sent to any Bitcoin address.

	= Using BIPS =		= Using BIPS =

Luke-jr: Warning

2013-11-23T05:04:07Z

Warning

← Older revision		Revision as of 05:04, 23 November 2013
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			'''WARNING'''

			Before reading this page, users should note that messing with ECDSA private keys is very dangerous and can result in losing bitcoins, even long after the import.
			It is recommended that outside of self-generated vanity addresses, users should ''never'' import (or export) private keys.

	= Using Blockchain.info =		= Using Blockchain.info =
	As of August 2012, possibly the easiest way to import a private key is using [[Blockchain.info]]'s My Wallet service. When successully imported through the "Import/Export" screen, the bitcoins assigned to a private key can be immediately sent to any Bitcoin address. The [[MtGox]] Bitcoin exchange will allow individual private keys to be redeemed but since they must sweep the address, the user must wait 6 confirmations for access to the funds. There is an API method to import an entire wallet.dat as well.		As of August 2012, possibly the easiest way to import a private key is using [[Blockchain.info]]'s My Wallet service. When successully imported through the "Import/Export" screen, the bitcoins assigned to a private key can be immediately sent to any Bitcoin address. The [[MtGox]] Bitcoin exchange will allow individual private keys to be redeemed but since they must sweep the address, the user must wait 6 confirmations for access to the funds. There is an API method to import an entire wallet.dat as well.

JulianTosh: /* Partial spend from Cold Storage */

2013-11-21T16:21:45Z

Partial spend from Cold Storage

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:21, 21 November 2013
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	* Aggregated view disabled		* Aggregated view disabled

	== Partial spend from ~~Cold Storage~~ ==		== Partial spend from cold storage ==
	Use this function if you would like to keep some funds on the paper wallet.		Use this function if you would like to keep some funds on the paper wallet.
	# Download [https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.mycelium.wallet&hl=en Mycelium] from the Android Play Store		# Download [https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.mycelium.wallet&hl=en Mycelium] from the Android Play Store