You should know that your backup works before you need it. Testing does carry its own risks, so follow these steps. This how-to is part of our seed phrase backup guide.
Why testing matters
The most common failures are simple: a misspelled word, two swapped words, or a badly written letter. You will not find out until you restore, and by then it may be too late.
The safe ways to test
| Method | How | Risk |
|---|---|---|
| Device backup check | Your hardware wallet checks your words on its own screen | Very low |
| Second hardware wallet | Restore on a spare device, and compare addresses | Very low |
| Reset and restore | Wipe the device, then restore from paper | Low, before you add funds |
| Trusted offline tool | For advanced users, on an air-gapped computer | Depends on skill |
| Website or browser tool | Never | Very high |
Step 1: Use the built-in check
Many hardware wallets have a "check backup" or "dry-run recovery" feature. You enter your words on the device, and it confirms whether they match, without changing anything. Words are entered on the device, never on your computer.
Step 2: Or do a full restore
Do this early, before significant funds are in the wallet:
- Write down your first receiving address, which is not a secret.
- Reset the device.
- Restore it from your written backup.
- Compare the receiving address with your note. If it matches, your backup works.
Step 3: Send a small test
For extra confidence, send a small amount, and then spend it. This proves that your setup works from start to finish.
Test your passphrase too
If you use a passphrase, test it the same way. Enter it, and confirm that you reach the right wallet. A typo silently opens a different, empty one. See passphrase typos.
Test every copy
Each copy can have its own mistakes. Check every paper or steel backup against the first.
What not to do
- Do not type your phrase into any website, even one that says it "only checks the words".
- Do not use a phone or computer app to check it, unless you are prepared to treat the phrase as exposed.
- Do not read your words aloud near a smart speaker.
- Do not take a photo for comparison.
Once it has passed, repeat the check with our yearly backup health check.