BitcoinMadeClear

Are recovery words a password?

Recovery words are not an ordinary account password. Many wallets use them to rebuild spending keys, while a password may protect a device, wallet file or service login.

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What does that mean for you?

The exact job of a password depends on the arrangement. Changing an account password does not normally replace recovery information that can rebuild the same keys.

A service that controls the keys may offer account recovery through its own process. That is different from restoring keys that you manage yourself. Read the instructions for the type of access you actually have.

Are recovery words a password?Device or file password: Protects a particular access route. Recovery words: Can rebuild spending keys. Service login: Uses the operator's account rules.Device or file passwordProtects a particular access routeRecovery wordsCan rebuild spending keysService loginUses the operator's account rules
Device or file password: Protects a particular access route. Recovery words: Can rebuild spending keys. Service login: Uses the operator's account rules.

Can you picture an example?

Imagine someone has copied recovery words for keys you control. Changing the password on your phone does not make that copy of the words disappear. The phone lock and the recovery backup protect different routes to access.

What should you remember?

Keep both kinds of secret private. Never enter real recovery words into a quiz, message or unexpected link. This explanation compares their roles; it is not a backup or restore procedure.

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