22 April 2025
Steel Backups vs. Paper Cards: What to Tell Your Heirs
Different backup media require different handling instructions. Your inheritance record should explain which method you use and where replacements are stored.
Seed phrase backups fall into two broad categories: paper and metal. Each has distinct failure modes, and your heirs need to know which you use before attempting any recovery procedure.
Paper Backups
Paper cards — whether handwritten, printed, or supplied by the wallet manufacturer — degrade over time. Humidity, ink fade, and physical damage are common. If your record mentions a paper backup in a home safe, heirs should inspect it for legibility before assuming recovery is possible.
Document the exact storage container (envelope, fireproof bag, safe model) and whether multiple copies exist in separate locations.
Steel and Metal Backups
Steel plates, Cryptosteel capsules, and stamped tiles resist fire and water but can corrode in salty environments or suffer from improper stamping depth. Note the brand, stamping method, and whether words are split across multiple plates (sharding).
Split-Shard Arrangements
Some holders distribute seed words across two or three locations, requiring heirs to collect all shards before recovery. Your record must list each shard location, the word range it contains, and the minimum number needed to reconstruct the phrase.
What Heirs Should Not Do
Instruct heirs never to photograph seed material, email it, or enter words into unfamiliar websites. Recovery should occur on an air-gapped device or with a qualified professional.
Your inheritance record is the right place for these instructions — not a sticky note on the backup itself.