Topic: I just downloaded a bitcoin android mobile wallet. Where is my private key? (Read 1702 times)

You can't just open the file and expect to see what you're looking for... it is an encrypted backup file... that's the whole point!

Now that you have a copy of the backup file on your PC, you go and do this if you want your seed and/or private keys: https://bitcointalksearch.org/topic/m.24205943

I downloaded a file explorer it found it but it is asking me to "complete action using." I dont know which program to use to open the file. I also was able to access the file by connecting the phone to the computer but dont know how and what program to open it with. when i connected it to the computer and opened it using a word doc it just gave me several pages of number and letter text.

Load up a "proper" file explorer app... there are about a billion on the Play Store... as your phone doesn't have an external SDCard, you will probably be wanting to look on the "internal storage" and it should be relatively easy to locate the "Download" folder...

What Make/Model of phone do you have? What version of Android is it running?

Yes that's exactly what it says but my question where in the world do i find that in my phone?? Please provide a stebp by step; process as to how I get to that "/download" thing so I can find the file??

Are you sure about that?


Seems like they tell you exactly where it has been saved too... maybe try and create another backup and check what directory it shows...

No I looked in downloads it's not there. I don't use an SD card. My phone has plenty of internal memory. I have no idea where the file that was saved goes. They simply don't tell you. So what good is it?

It gets stored on your SDCard... from memory, I think it is put into the /Downloads folder on your device. Supposedly, it tries to store it on the Ext. SDCard if available... but for me it always seemed to end up in the downloads folder on the internal memory??!?

After the backup file is created, if I don't archiev where does the file actually go and where can I retrieve / view it?

The 12 word seed would be just as good as the private key but how do I retrieve it without running a whole computer program full of weird codes??

Can I ask why you even need your private key? Is having a "12 word seed mnemonic" that you can write down on a piece of paper and store securely not enough for backup purposes?

Is there some specific reason you must have a private key?

lol. this is unbelievable. Why does this have to be so complicated? Is there an android wallet that I can use where i can just be given my private key instead og having to hire a computer programmer to extract it for me?

It is possible to extract the BIP39 12 word seed mnemonic from a Bitcoin Wallet for Android backup file... you can then use Ian Coleman's BIP39 Mnemonic Code Convertor tool (https://iancoleman.io/bip39/) to generate the addresses/private keys...

HOWEVER, this is not a "one click" method... It is a very manual process and it will require you to install Python and a relatively "user friendly" Python script to extract the 12 word seed... and then inputting the seed into the BIP39 tool and manually looking for addresses/private keys.

I originally wrote about this method here: https://bitcointalksearch.org/topic/m.20002671

It is reproduced below, with some edits for clarity...

You will need:
1. gurnec's decrypt_bitcoinj_seed Python script (decrypt_bitcoinj_seed) - You will need to follow his install instructions!
2. Your "Bitcoin Wallet for Android" backup file
3. The password for your "Bitcoin Wallet for Android" backup file
4. An offline copy of Ian Coleman's BIP39 Tool (https://iancoleman.io/bip39/) - Instructions for "Offline Usage" at the bottom of the page


IMPORTANT NOTICE:
First things first... aka "Scary Warning Time": You are going to be exposing your seed and private keys... if you have any malware/tojan's/clipboard copiers/keyloggers etc, there is a very real chance you will lose Bitcoins.
DO NOT follow this process unless you understand the risks involved and are willing to accept them!



Once you have the necessary items:
1. You should make sure your computer is NOT connected to any network and has been scanned for viruses/trojans/malware etc... or better yet, use a LiveCD/USB to boot from

2. Run the decrypt_bitcoinj_seed script (as per gurnec's instructions), it will prompt you to open the wallet backup file, then prompt you for the password. It will then display the "12 word seed mnemonic". Make a note of this!

3. You can then put the recovery seed into an offline copy of: https://iancoleman.io/bip39/
There are instructions at the bottom of the page for downloading etc

Put the seed into the "BIP39 Mnemonic" section at the top. Then click "BIP32" under Derivation Path, set "Client" to "Custom Derivation Path" and set the "BIP32 Derivation Path" to: m/0'/0


All your "RECEIVE" addresses/keys will be displayed at the bottom.


NOTE: You may need to click "show more" to see all your addresses if you have used more than 20 receive addresses...


4. If you're wondering why you can't find any of your coins on these addresses, chances are that they are sitting on "CHANGE" addresses, so after you have checked all the "Receive" addresses that you have used, you'll also need to set the "BIP32 Derivation Path" to: m/0'/1 to get access to your "CHANGE" addresses!


Again, you may need to click "show more" to see all your "Change" addresses, if you have sent more than 20 transactions and used more than 20 change addresses.

This looks like total code jargon. I have no idea how this is going to help me retrieve the private keys. None of these suggestions have helped.

You don't really need to archive it [There's a dismiss button]. Its just that the app advises users without removable sd cards to do it as well as people who only has their backup's on their device.


Well thats because, every backup is encrypted with a password so everytime you back up your wallet it'll ask for a password for that specific backup file.


Its on Settings --> Diagnostics. If you want to write it down, click share --> Copy to clipboard and paste it in any notepad.


If you want to export it follow this guide: https://bitcointalksearch.org/topic/how-to-export-seed-and-private-keys-from-your-bitcoin-wallet-for-android-2061691

After i entered the password and backed up, it created a dated file and then it asks me to archive wallet, then gives me 3 choices where to archive. If i archive doesnt this mean that my private keys will be sent thru an email? every time i enter a password it creates a new backup. i dont feel this is safe and want to avoid that. i want to have my public keys and write them down on paper and its not letting me do that. I still have not been able to retrieve the private keys thru this method.

To back up your wallet click the vertical three dots on the upper right --> Safety --> Back up wallet --> set a password  then press ok. It'll be used to restore your wallet so obviously your private keys lies there. Most wallets doesn't have an in-app tutorial but has a few ones on their official site although there are also ones which doesn't have any so your best shot is to navigate the app.

PS: I don't recommend this app. If you're into android/IOS wallets, better use mycelium for more security as well as ease of use.

This is the wallet:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=de.schildbach.wallet&hl=en
Where do I find my private key? How do I backup this wallet? There is no information on this. Please help thank you.