# How To: Backup and Restore Your Wallet

Protect your funds and identities with proper wallet backups

# Prerequisites

Verus CLI installed with verusd running
Access to the Verus data directory

# Method 1: backupwallet (Quick Backup)

Creates a copy of the wallet.dat file.

# Step 1: Run the Backup

verus backupwallet "mybackup20260207"

⚠️ The filename must be alphanumeric only — no spaces, dots, slashes, or special characters. mybackup20260207 works. my-backup.dat does not.

# Step 2: Locate the Backup

The backup is saved to the directory configured via the -exportdir startup option. If -exportdir is not set, it defaults to the Verus data directory:

Linux: ~/.komodo/VRSC/mybackup20260207
macOS: ~/Library/Application Support/Komodo/VRSC/mybackup20260207
Windows: %APPDATA%\Komodo\VRSC\mybackup20260207

For testnet, replace VRSC with vrsctest.

💡 Tip: Set -exportdir=/path/to/backups in your config or startup flags to control where backups are saved.

# Step 3: Move to Safe Storage

Copy the backup file to a secure location:

cp ~/.komodo/VRSC/mybackup20260207 /path/to/secure/storage/

# Method 2: dumpwallet (Full Export)

Exports all private keys and addresses to a human-readable text file. This is the most complete backup method.

# Step 1: Export

verus dumpwallet "fullexport20260207"

⚠️ Same naming rules — alphanumeric only.

# Step 2: Secure the Export

The exported file contains all private keys in plain text. Anyone with this file has full access to your funds.

# Move to secure location
cp ~/.komodo/VRSC/fullexport20260207 /path/to/secure/storage/

# Optionally encrypt
gpg -c /path/to/secure/storage/fullexport20260207
# Enter a strong passphrase when prompted

# Delete the unencrypted version
rm /path/to/secure/storage/fullexport20260207

# What's in the Export

The dump file contains:

All private keys (WIF format)
All addresses (transparent and shielded)
Key metadata (creation time, labels)
All private keys for transparent and shielded addresses

# Restoring from Backup

# Restore wallet.dat (from backupwallet)

Stop the daemon:
```
verus stop
```

Replace the wallet file:

# Backup the current wallet first!
cp ~/.komodo/VRSC/wallet.dat ~/.komodo/VRSC/wallet.dat.old

# Copy your backup in
cp /path/to/secure/storage/mybackup20260207 ~/.komodo/VRSC/wallet.dat

Restart the daemon:
```
verusd -fastload
```
Rescan the blockchain (to find all transactions):
```
verus stop
verusd -rescan
```

# Restore from dumpwallet (using importwallet)

Copy the export file to the Verus data directory:

cp /path/to/secure/storage/fullexport20260207 ~/.komodo/VRSC/

Import:
```
verus importwallet "fullexport20260207"
```
⚠️ Same alphanumeric filename rules apply.
Wait for rescan. The import triggers a blockchain rescan to find all transactions associated with the imported keys. This can take a while depending on chain length.

# Backing Up Individual Keys

For specific addresses or identities:

# Export a Single Private Key

verus dumpprivkey "RYourAddress"

Save the output (WIF-format private key) securely.

# Import a Single Private Key

verus importprivkey "YourPrivateKeyWIF" "" true

The third parameter triggers a rescan.

# Best Practices

# Backup Frequency

Event	Action
After creating a new identity	Backup immediately
After receiving funds to a new address	Backup soon
After any `getnewaddress` call	Backup (new key generated)
Weekly (routine)	Scheduled backup
Before any wallet upgrade	Backup beforehand

# Storage

Multiple copies — Keep backups in at least 2 physically separate locations
Encrypt — Always encrypt backup files with a strong passphrase (GPG, VeraCrypt, etc.)
Offline storage — Store at least one copy on an air-gapped device or physical media (USB drive)
Test restores — Periodically verify your backups work by restoring to a test environment
Label clearly — Include the date and chain (mainnet vs testnet) in the filename

# Security

Never share wallet files or private key exports
Never store unencrypted backups on cloud storage (Dropbox, Google Drive, etc.)
Delete intermediate files — If you decrypt a backup for restoration, delete the decrypted copy after
Secure the passphrase — Store your encryption passphrase separately from the backup

# Common Errors

Error	Cause	Solution
`Error: Filename must be alphanumeric`	Special characters in filename	Use only letters and numbers: `backup20260207`
`Error: wallet.dat not found`	Wrong data directory	Check your OS-specific path (see above)
`Error importing wallet`	File not in data directory	Copy the file to `~/.komodo/VRSC/` first
Missing transactions after restore	Rescan needed	Restart with `verusd -rescan`
Missing z-address funds	z-keys not in backup	Use `dumpwallet` (not `backupwallet`) for complete export including z-keys

# Quick Reference

# Quick backup
verus backupwallet "backup20260207"

# Full export (all keys)
verus dumpwallet "export20260207"

# Import full export
verus importwallet "export20260207"

# Export single key
verus dumpprivkey "RAddress"

# Import single key
verus importprivkey "WIFkey" "" true

# Rescan blockchain after restore
verusd -rescan

VerusID Concepts — Understanding identities you're backing up
sendcurrency — Moving funds after restoration

As of Verus v1.2.x.