Ask Keeper

What is Bitcoin Keeper?

Bitcoin Keeper is a free, open-source bitcoin self-custody wallet for managing wallets, signing keys, recovery and long-term access planning. It supports Single-Key Wallets and Multi-Key Wallets, including multisig setups. There are no subscriptions; donations are optional.

What does self-custody mean in Keeper?

You manage the keys needed to authorize spending and are responsible for their backups. Keeper is not an exchange or a custodial account.

An optional Server Key is stored on Keeper’s servers and can help sign as one key in a Multi-Key Wallet. Keeper cannot spend your bitcoin with this key alone.

What is a multisig wallet?

A multisig wallet requires several keys to authorize spending. In a 2-of-3 setup, 2 of 3 keys are needed to spend. This can reduce dependence on a single key, but you must maintain the required keys. An exported configuration is an independent recovery option if the app backup is unavailable.

Can I use Keeper on my phone with hardware wallets?

Keeper has iOS and Android apps and supports hardware and software signing devices. A Multi-Key Wallet can combine different signing devices. Connection methods depend on the device and phone; check the current app and device documentation before choosing your setup.

What should I back up?

These backups serve different purposes:

Recovery Key

Your 12-word key restores Keeper from its encrypted app backup, including wallet configurations. Keep it offline and never share it.

Wallet Configuration File

A separate export of a Multi-Key Wallet setup for independent recovery or use in compatible software. It contains no private keys.

Signing-device backups

Preserve access to your separate signing keys. App recovery does not replace these backups.

Cloud Backup

Saves wallet configuration files. It does not replace your Recovery Key or signing-device backups.

Assisted Server Backup

Backs up encrypted data using a community-run Keeper server. It is separate from Server Key and does not replace your Recovery Key.

Can I recreate a Keeper wallet in another app?

A Wallet Configuration File can recreate the wallet setup in compatible software. You still need the required signing keys to spend. Importing a wallet adds it to an app; it does not move bitcoin. Exportable configurations help you plan access beyond one app or device.

What happens when wallet keys or rules change?

Keeper retains the previous configuration as an Archived Wallet after key or scheme changes. To use it, unarchive it first. Bitcoin sent to an old address still belongs to that older configuration and requires its original signing-key quorum.

Keep old keys and configuration backups until you have accounted for funds and any future payments to old addresses. Hiding a wallet is a separate visibility setting.

How does Dust Protection work?

A dust attack can use a small bitcoin payment to try to link your addresses when you spend it with other coins. Keeper checks for potential dust using the payment amount and address history. Not every small incoming payment is dust. A full Dust Report also checks past transactions and can flag larger coins linked to potential dust activity.

Keeper marks flagged coins Do Not Spend and excludes them from automatic coin selection. In Manage Coins, a Do Not Spend coin carries a label. If you choose one manually for a transaction, Keeper warns that spending it with other coins may reduce privacy.

To review a wallet, open its Wallet Settings and choose Dust Report, then Run Report. The report shows current Do Not Spend coins, Active Dust and Manually Marked Coins, Linked Coins and Past Dust Spends. You can also open Manage Coins, select a coin and choose Mark Spendable if you believe it was flagged by mistake, or Mark Do Not Spend to exclude a coin yourself. Review a coin’s history before changing its status.

Donate Dust is optional. From Manage Coins or a Dust Report with current Do Not Spend coins, it uses all current Do Not Spend coins in that wallet, including coins you marked manually and larger linked coins. Network fees are paid from those coins; the remainder is donated to Keeper. If their total cannot cover the fee and a donation amount, the transaction cannot proceed. Review the total and privacy impact before continuing.

Donating multiple coins together can link their addresses on-chain. It does not erase existing on-chain links or guarantee anonymity. Keeping them Do Not Spend is also an option.

How are Inheritance Key, Emergency Key and Wallet Timelock different?

An Inheritance Key can give an heir or trusted party a delayed access path. An Emergency Key is a separate delayed recovery path when normal access is unavailable. Wallet Timelock prevents spending until the selected time has passed.

These rules depend on the wallet setup. Changing a rule later may require a new wallet and moving bitcoin. Key access does not establish legal ownership.

Does Keeper support USDT?

The mobile app supports a separate USDT Wallet for USDT TRC-20 on Tron. Buy USDT via Ramp is no longer available. A USDT Wallet does not inherit a bitcoin Multi-Key Wallet’s signing rules.

Check the displayed USDT receive address and network before sending. Imported USDT wallets can have separate recovery material; keep its backup. Gas-free transfers do not require you to hold TRX, but transfer and activation fees can apply.

Who is Keeper suitable for, and what are the tradeoffs?

Keeper suits people who want to manage bitcoin wallets, signing devices, recovery and long-term access planning together. A Single-Key Wallet is simpler for everyday use. Multisig requires managing more keys and backups.

Advanced inheritance and timelock rules need careful planning; changing them may require a new wallet and moving bitcoin. Inheritance tools help plan access to keys and information; they do not establish legal ownership.