This guide compares the different backup methods for your BitBox02 so you can choose the one that best fits your needs.
Selecting the right backup method is a critical step in securing your cryptocurrency. Your choice depends on balancing convenience, durability, and compatibility. Below we break down each option available for the BitBox02.
microSD Card Backup
This backup is created automatically by the BitBox02 during setup, making it extremely user-friendly.
- Ease of Use: Creation is automatic, and recovery is very easy with another BitBox02 device.
- Durability & Compatibility: The main weakness is its low durability, as the card is vulnerable to water and physical damage. It also has limited compatibility and requires a specific tool to work with non-BitBox wallets.
- Best For: This method is ideal for beginners who prioritize convenience and a simple setup process.
24 Recovery Words (on paper)
This is the industry-standard method, where you write down a 24-word phrase that can restore your wallet.
- Ease of Use: The creation and recovery processes are manual, which can be prone to human error.
- Durability & Compatibility: Plain paper is fragile and has low durability. However, this method offers universal compatibility and is supported by almost every crypto wallet.
- Best For: This is the best choice for users who need the flexibility to recover their funds on any hardware or software wallet.
Backup Card
The Backup Card is a durable, laminated card designed for writing down your 24 recovery words.
- Ease of Use: The process is still manual, but the structured format of the card makes it less prone to errors than using plain paper.
- Durability & Compatibility: It offers medium durability by resisting aging and wear better than paper. Like the standard paper method, it has universal wallet compatibility.
- Best For: It is a good option for users who want a more durable solution than paper for storing their recovery words.
Steelwallet
For maximum security, the Steelwallet allows you to engrave your recovery words into plates of stainless steel.
- Ease of Use: This method is the most difficult to set up, as it requires you to manually engrave each word. Recovery is a manual process of reading the words.
- Durability & Compatibility: It offers very high durability, as it is resistant to fire, water, and corrosion. It also maintains universal compatibility.
- Best For: The Steelwallet is designed for users seeking the highest level of physical security for long-term, offline storage.
Comparison summary
For a quick overview, here is a direct comparison of the methods:
| Method | Easy of creation | Ease of recovery | Durability | Universal compatibility | Best for |
| microSD Card | Very Easy (Automatic) | Very Easy (with BitBox02) | Low (Vulnerable to water/damage) | No (Requires a specific tool) | Beginners who want maximum convenience and a simple setup. |
| 24 Recovery Words | Medium (Manual, prone to error) | Medium (Manual) | Low (Paper is fragile) | Yes (Standard across wallets) | Users who prioritize flexibility and the ability to recover on any wallet. |
| Backup Card | Medium (Manual, less error-prone) | Medium (Manual) | Medium (Resists aging/wear) | Yes (Standard across wallets) | Users wanting a more durable alternative to plain paper for their recovery words. |
| Steelwallet | Hard (Requires engraving) | Medium (Manual) | Very High (Fire/water/corrosion proof) | Yes (Standard across wallets) | Users who need the highest level of physical security for long-term storage. |