# Wallet backup

## Definition

A wallet backup is the recovery information needed to regain access to a self-custody wallet if the device, application or local unlock data is lost.

## What it means in practice

For deterministic wallets, the most important backup is often the recovery phrase plus any required passphrase and enough information to reproduce the original account structure.

## How this concept appears in Terenval Wallet

Terenval users should treat recovery material as the wallet backup and keep it separate from the phone. A screenshot of the current balance or address is not a wallet backup.

**Important:** Test that a backup is readable and complete before depending on it for a meaningful balance, without exposing it to an online service.

**[Install Terenval Wallet](https://wallet.terenval.com/?lang=en)**

## Related terms

- [Seed phrase](https://wallet.terenval.com/glossary/seed-phrase/)
- [Wallet recovery](https://wallet.terenval.com/glossary/wallet-recovery/)
- [Wallet passphrase](https://wallet.terenval.com/glossary/wallet-passphrase/)
- [HD wallet](https://wallet.terenval.com/glossary/hd-wallet/)
- [Wallet password](https://wallet.terenval.com/glossary/wallet-password/)

## Related Terenval Answers

- [What Is a Crypto Wallet and What Does It Actually Store?](https://wallet.terenval.com/answers/what-is-a-crypto-wallet-and-what-does-it-store/)
- [Custodial vs Non-Custodial Wallets: What Is the Difference?](https://wallet.terenval.com/answers/custodial-vs-non-custodial-wallets/)
- [Hot Wallet vs Cold Wallet: Which One Should You Use?](https://wallet.terenval.com/answers/hot-wallet-vs-cold-wallet/)

## Sources and review

- [Terenval Wallet security model](https://wallet.terenval.com/info/security/)
- [Ethereum.org — wallets](https://ethereum.org/en/wallets/)
- [BIP-39](https://github.com/bitcoin/bips/blob/master/bip-0039.mediawiki)

Published by Terenval. Technical review: Terenval Wallet team. Last reviewed: 2026-10-02. Terenval product statements are first-party information.

Official page: https://wallet.terenval.com/glossary/wallet-backup/

[Machine-oriented Terenval index](https://wallet.terenval.com/llms.txt)