Backup & Recovery

Critical guide to backing up your Vultisig vault. Protect your assets with proper vault share storage. No seed phrases - just secure backups.

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How Vultisig Backups Work

Vultisig doesn't use seed phrases. Instead, each device in your vault has a unique Vault Share - a file that allows that device to participate in signing.

Key concepts:

  • Each device has its own unique vault share

  • Each device needs its own backup

  • A single vault share alone cannot access your funds

  • You need your signing threshold of shares to recover (e.g., 2 shares for a 2-of-3 vault)


Video Overview

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How to Backup

Step-by-Step

  1. Open Vultisig app

  2. Go to SettingsVault Settings

  3. Select Backup

  4. (Optional) Set an encryption password for extra security

  5. Save the .vult file to a secure location

  6. Repeat for every device in your vault

Video Guide

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Understanding Vault Share Files

Vault shares use the .vult extension and are named:

Example: savings-ef8b-share1of2.vult

  • savings = vault name

  • ef8b = vault ID

  • share1of2 = this is share 1 of a 2-share vault

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DKLS vaults use "share" in the filename. GG20 vaults use "part" in the filename.


Where to Store Backups

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Share
Storage Location

Share 1

Google Drive

Share 2

iCloud

Share 3

Dropbox

Good Practices

  • Use different cloud providers for different shares

  • Consider password managers (1Password, Bitwarden) for individual shares

  • Use offline storage (USB drive, external hard drive) for maximum security

  • Encrypt your backups with a strong password

Bad Practices

  • Storing all shares on one device

  • Storing all shares in one cloud account

  • Emailing shares to yourself (all in one inbox)

  • Storing shares unencrypted on shared computers


Estate Planning (Gold Standard)

For inheritance and emergency access:

  1. Share 1: Keep in your personal secure storage

  2. Share 2: Give to spouse or trusted family member

  3. Share 3: Give to family lawyer or accountant

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Ensure the people holding shares cannot easily collaborate without your knowledge.


Recovering a Lost Device

If you lose a device, you have two options:

Option 1: Import Backup

Import your backed-up vault share into a new device:

  1. Install Vultisig on the new device

  2. Open the .vult file (or import via app)

  3. Enter the encryption password (if set)

  4. Your vault is restored on the new device

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Option 2: Reshare (2-of-3+ vaults only)

If you have a 2-of-3 or larger vault:

  1. Use your remaining devices to reshare the vault

  2. This creates new shares including one for your new device

  3. Important: Old backups become invalid after resharing


Critical Warnings

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Backup Checklist

Before storing significant funds, confirm:


Next Step

Once backed up, you're ready for your First Transaction.

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