# Backing up and Restoring your wallet

### **Backup :** <a href="#backup" id="backup"></a>

This documentation describes how to safely back up your wallet file for safe storage in case your computer or laptop is damaged or lost. FIX Core stores all data necessary to control your FIX addresses in a single file called *wallet.dat*. This wallet is in the Berkeley DB format and stores the pairs of private/public cryptographic keys used to manage your balances on the FIX blockchain.

#### Backup from FIX core : <a href="#backup-from-twins-core" id="backup-from-twins-core"></a>

Firstly, never copy your wallet.dat file while FIX Core is open. Always use the **File > Backup Wallet** menu if the wallet is open.

![](https://544866030-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-legacy-files/o/assets%2F-LhjE__7ridRT_WrghwY%2F-Li7j_XJehgcD5Gnl-Tf%2F-Li7kpkXVdgXPMnNzoP5%2FENwallbackup1.png?alt=media\&token=e8960ef0-4e8a-44a0-892f-b28b16010d50)

When you select this menu item, a dialog box will appear to specify where the file should be saved. Enter a name for the file, select a location and click **Save**.&#x20;

#### Backup by copying wallet.dat <a href="#backup-by-copying-wallet-dat" id="backup-by-copying-wallet-dat"></a>

**If FIX Core is not running**, you can also backup your wallet by simply copying the *wallet.dat* file to another location. This file is located in the *FIX* data folder. You were given the option to specify the location of this folder during installation, but by default the folder is in the following locations on different operating systems:

* **Windows**

  ```
  C:\Users\YourUserName\Appdata\Roaming\FIX
  ```

  You can access this folder directly by **Windows Key + R** and typing `%APPDATA%\fix`
* **Linux**

  ```
  /home/YourUserName/.fix
  ```

  You can access this folder directly by typing `cd ~/.fix` at the terminal or `~/.fix` in the path bar using the **Go > Enter Location…** menu item in Files
* **macOS**

  ```
  /Users/YourUserName/Library/Application Support/FIX
  ```

  You can access this folder by typing `cd ~/Library/Application Support/FIX` at the terminal or `~/Library/Application Support/FIX` in dialog at the **Go > Go To Folder** menu item in Finder

Ensure FIX Core is not running, then simply copy the *wallet.dat* file from this folder to another folder in the normal way for your operating system.

{% hint style="warning" %}
**If you have masternodes you must also backup your&#x20;*****masternode.conf*****&#x20;file.**

**It's also a good idea to backup&#x20;*****fix.conf*****&#x20;since it contains your custom wallet settings.**

**Both files are in the same directory as your wallet.dat file.**&#x20;
{% endhint %}

{% hint style="warning" %}
**Keep a backup of your wallet file on a usb drive in a location away from your computer.**
{% endhint %}

### Restore: <a href="#restore" id="restore"></a>

To restore a backup, install FIX Core on the target system (or stop it, if already installed) and rename the existing *wallet.dat* file in the *fix* folder to *wallet.old*

Then copy the backup wallet file to the *fix* data folder and ensure it is named *wallet.dat*. Now, when you start FIX Core again, it will load the new wallet. Do not replace *wallet.dat* while FIX Core is running, since this will result in data corruption.&#x20;

Do not forget to copy over *masternode.conf* and *fix.conf* if you backed them up.