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What is my multisig wallet configuration file and how do I download it?

Back up your external spend information to ensure you can always recover your funds.

If you use an Unchained vault, you need to back up something called a multisig wallet configuration file. You can think of this file like a treasure map. It contains the directions from your seed phrase to your private and public keys, as well as basic information about your multisig setup.

Along with your hardware devices, you need your multisig configuration file and your two keys to reconstruct your wallet and recover funds in the unlikely case that our service goes down for an extended period of time or no longer exists. This is how you retain full control of your bitcoin while still benefiting from having Unchained as a trusted self-custody partner.

How to download your multisig wallet configuration file

If you went through Unchained's Concierge Onboarding, you should have this file stored securely on your computer or in a password manager like 1Password or LastPass.

If you don't already have a copy of your wallet configuration file, you should download it and store it somewhere safely immediately by following these steps:

  1. Sign in to your Unchained dashboard.
  2. Click Vaults and navigate to the proper vault in the Unchained dashboard.
  3. Scroll down to Vault tools and click View next to Wallet configuration file to see the technical details about your wallet.
  4. Proceed to Download wallet configuration file.
  5. Save the downloaded file somewhere safe. We recommend storing this file in a password manager (such as LastPass or 1Password) or on an encrypted hard drive.

While we do recommend storing this file in a safe place, rest assured that it does not by itself give someone who discovers it the ability to spend bitcoin. A thief would need both your multisig config file and two keys to make a transaction. The multisig config file will, however, reveal your account balances and transaction history.

Tip: If you need to use your multisig wallet config file to recover your funds using Caravan, follow our external recovery guide.