Topic: Can't export private key from Multibit Classic to Electrum (Read 709 times)

The concept of this project is quite unique and impressive, perhaps this project will be a successful project in the future.

There is/was/are some issues with MultiBit and the way it encrypts some things... I've had instances where I am 110% certain of the password, because it works within the MultiBit app, but it fails when using the openssl commandline tools on the auto backup files. I've had limited success in the past trying to figure it all out.

But yes, as NeuroticFish has suggested... if the app is giving you "Could not decrypt input string", then I am fairly confident that you have the wrong password...

This is indeed, most probably caused by wrong password.
Another link is also provided in that article (this link) with the technical details on export/import of private keys, but that's useless without the correct password.

The error message in the application is
The private keys unlock failed. The error was "Could not decrypt input string"

If neither of those versions of MultiBit are able to import your .key file... then chances are the password you are using is incorrect.

What is the error you get when you attempt to import the key file?

I tried the download of two different versions of Multibit Classic 0.5.19 and 0.5.15. and unfortunately neither would import my file !!
I have then spent alot of time working through recreating the problem and looking for patterns. I did find that the openSSL command which is shown in all the documentation did not work even on a freshly created encrypted key file with a password that I had entered 2 minutes previously !!! i thought I had cracked it when I fell upon a one line suggestion which was to add teh qualifier -md md5 to the openssl command. That solved the problem with the test file I created yesterday from givign an error 12732 EVP_DECRYPTFINAL_EX:BAD DECRYPT
but I was absolutely gutted to find it didnt quite decypher my key file.
The output it came up with appeared to bee close with teh same sort of structure  i.e. private key string and then spaces and then date although the characters were not as expected e.g. "*****¬†½4B™B‚“åÒ'***" and "¿ƒ" for a date.....
 As I say I feel I might be close but that doesnt get me my keys back !!  I have started trying alot of other parameters  but as yu can probably tell from my ramblings I am working on trial and error rather than any in depth knowledge of why these things are working !!!
Any suggestions would be very gratefully received

So you have a .key file that shows as plaintext like the one in the pic above? And it has keys displayed like this?

If so, you can simply import or sweep those private keys into a new wallet.


However, if it is an encrypted .key file and the contents looks like this:

Then, you would need to download an old version of multibit and try to import the .key file, then re-export the keys unencrypted to access the private keys.

I unfortunately only have the exported Key file which appear in the right format !!  Unfortunately the laptop with the original wallet on has been wiped   Can anyone give me hope that the Key file can be intepretted to get the private keys?

If you are not able to recover the keys from MultiBit PM us. We have the tools to help you.

No, the encrypted keys from MultiBit are not able to be imported into ANY wallet software that I know of... you must export them unencrypted or you will not be able to import them anywhere.

If your exported key file does not look like this:


Then you have exported it incorrectly. Also, as per the instructions above, you only want to import the keys... NOT the timestamps at the end.

Does an older version of Electrum accept the encripted keys from Multibit Classic - as I'm having the same problem ...?

That is very strange... something is either wrong with the keys you are attempting to import, or your Electrum is bad... what happens if you attempt to import this private key:


Is the Next button still not clickable? If so, then it might be that your copy of Electrum is bad?? Did you get it from the official site? https://electrum.org/#download

If you can import that private address, then, for some unknown reason, the keys you have exported from MBC are bad??!?

I'm on Electrum 3.0.5 and followed your steps exactly - the Next button still isn't clickable after I enter my keys. 

Thank you though!

Are you using Electrum v3.0.x or an older Electrum v2.x?


Your "exported" keys file (unencrypted) should look something like this... note that the keys are ONLY the bit highlighted in the red box... DO NOT copy the date/time at the end of the line:




In Electrum, you want to create a new wallet file... "File -> New/Restore", then give the wallet a unique name to make it easy to identify:




Select the wallet type... if using v3.0.x, you MUST use "Import Bitcoin addresses or private keys":




Then enter your private keys from the export file, ONE per line:




Click next, and your wallet should be created, with the same addresses/transactions as your old MultiBit Classic wallet:

I'm trying the exact same thing, importing a private key from multibit classic into electrum. But the next button stays greyed out, even when using the new instructions.

I have two keys, one starts with K and ends with N. The other starts with K and ends with M. I made sure not to encrypt the export.

any ideas? Much appreciated.

Unfortunately, the import options changed in the newer versions of Electrum, so following the YouTube tutorial when using Electrum v3+ won't work.

Fortunately, you CAN still import into Electrum... Just use:

File -> new/restore -> import Bitcoin addresses or private keys

This option will allow you to use your private key starting with "5", "K" or "L" (aka WIF format)

I'm trying to retrieve my Bitcoin Cash from a Multibit Classic wallet. I downloaded Electrum, at startup picked "create standard wallet", then "use public or private keys", then I paste my exported key (unencrypted) from Multibit into the box. The key starts with L and ends with Z. The problem is the NEXT button remains greyed out and I can't proceed. Any idea how to do this?

 - I also followed this YouTube video and it said to do the exact same thing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LaijbTcxsv8&feature=youtu.be