6 min read · Updated August 25, 2026
Seed Phrase, PIN, and Passphrase: What Heirs Need to Know
A seed phrase, device PIN, and optional BIP39 passphrase solve different problems. Treating them as interchangeable is one of the most dangerous inheritance mistakes.
Seed phrase
A seed or recovery phrase commonly contains 12 or 24 words and can recreate keys in compatible wallet software. Anyone who obtains it may be able to spend funds. It should never be photographed, emailed, uploaded, or typed into an ordinary website.
- It is usually independent of the original hardware device
- Spelling and word order matter
- A copy is a bearer secret
Device PIN
A PIN unlocks a particular hardware device. It is not normally a replacement for the seed phrase. Repeated guesses can trigger delays or device wipes, depending on the product.
- Do not guess repeatedly
- Do not update or reset the device before understanding the setup
- Verify the manufacturer and model through trusted sources
Optional passphrase
A BIP39 passphrase can derive an entirely different wallet from the same seed words. Entering the correct seed without the passphrase may produce a valid but empty wallet. There is no reliable indicator that another passphrase-protected wallet exists.
- Its existence must be accounted for
- Any typo creates a different wallet
- Do not store it together with the seed unless the security trade-off is deliberate
What to document
The online plan should document only that these elements exist and where offline instructions begin. BTCHEIR does not need and will never ask for their values.
- Custody type
- Whether an extra passphrase is part of the model
- Who coordinates recovery
- Where offline materials are stored
Sources used for this guide
Original publishers do not endorse BTCHEIR. Check current product documentation and obtain local professional advice where needed.
- BIP 32: Hierarchical Deterministic WalletsPieter Wuille · Bitcoin BIPs repository ↗
- BIP 39: Mnemonic Code for Generating Deterministic KeysMarek Palatinus, Pavol Rusnak, Aaron Voisine, Sean Bowe · Bitcoin BIPs repository ↗
- What is a passphrase?Trezor documentation team · Trezor Knowledge Base / SatoshiLabs ↗