Do I need to backup a wallet every time I generate a new address?

8

This question concerns the Armory client.

Since Armory has deterministic wallets, do I only need to back up a wallet one time (after creation), or do I need to back it up each time I create a new address with that wallet?

In other words, can all addresses, that a deterministic wallet creates, be recreated again if I lose these addresses, but still have a backup of the "genesis" wallet (I assume that, in this context, that is meant with a deterministic wallet, correct)?

Decent Dabbler

Posted 2013-04-16T04:38:28.927

Reputation: 181

Why'd you delete your answer? It looked pretty good to me.Nick ODell 2013-04-16T05:02:09.643

@NickODell I was getting a bit unsure by reading this section, that said that Armory offered a paper backup. I want to be absolutely sure that the codes of such a paper backup are also represented in the initial .wallet file, that I want to back up. I'm almost positive that they are, but said section was throwing me off a little. So, I'd rather hear from an expert.

Decent Dabbler 2013-04-16T05:17:45.293

Answers

3

When you generate new accounts inside a wallet you will only have to make a back-up once. The backup key gives armory the possibility to create a indefinite series of addresses for your wallet.

Please note that by default, Armory only generates 100 addresses. This means that when you use more than 100 and you lose your wallet, after you restore the back-up, the client will at first only see the first 100 addresses. You will have to specifically tell Armory to look for more addresses.

This does not count for addresses you imported in a wallet! If you import private keys to a wallet, you will have to back-up them separately! The easy back-up process only works for addresses generated by Armory.

Steven Roose

Posted 2013-04-16T04:38:28.927

Reputation: 10 855

Really? You have to tell armory about how many addresses you used? That seems silly. Why doesn't armory just always look forward 100 addresses beyond the last address to receive coins?Eyal 2013-05-03T15:27:03.327

Good point, you can suggest it on GitHub here: https://github.com/etotheipi/BitcoinArmory/issues

Steven Roose 2013-05-04T14:57:14.143