# How to Backup your Private Keys

> Best Practice about private key backups

Canonical: https://help.blockzhub.io/articles/how-to-backup-your-private-keys

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## **One of the most critical things in crypto is backing up your keys.**

Suppose you **lose your device** or it **stops working** (technical failure or a local disaster like floods, tsunamis, fires, earthquakes, hurricanes, solar storms, landslides, etc.). You want to have a backup to reaccess your EOS account. If you have a hardware wallet like a Ledger, this also applies. Make sure you have a replacement hardware wallet and a backup to restore your private keys to the replacement hardware wallet.

## Create a backup of your keys.

If you followed the **[best practice to configure your EOS Account](https://help.eossupport.io/en/articles/5847642-how-to-configure-your-eos-account-with-maximum-protection)**, you want to **back up** your **owner's private** and **active key.**

1) Download an up-to-date file encryption tool.

2) Make sure you are offline.

3) Encrypt your private key with a password (Don't share this password).

4) Save the encrypted file on a USB drive and flash drive (Don't use this USB on a computer connected to the internet).

5) Save the encrypted file on a USB and give it to one or more family member(s) or (a) friend(s) as a backup.

6) Allow two trusted family members to access your EOS account with an MSIG on your active permission in case you lose your backup files. Click [here](https://help.eossupport.io/en/articles/5783908-how-to-create-an-msig-account) to learn how to create an MSIG account.

## Restore access to your EOS Account

If you have lost access to your EOS account, **you can quickly restore access to your EOS account**. If you wanna restore access to your EOS account by MSIG proposal, please click the smile icon on our website, we will help you step-by-step.

1) Download [any official EOS wallet](https://help.eossupport.io/en/articles/5565632-what-are-the-best-eos-wallets).

2) Make sure you are offline.

3) Connect your USB stick to your computer.

4) Decrypt your file.

5) Import your active private key into your EOS Wallet.

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Author: Dario Cesaro

Editor: Randall Roland, Josh Chung

Translator: -

Sources & References:

* [Best practice to configure your EOS Account](https://help.eossupport.io/en/articles/5847642-how-to-configure-your-eos-account-with-maximum-protection)
* [How to create an MSIG account?](https://help.eossupport.io/en/articles/5783908-how-to-create-an-msig-account)
* [What are the best EOS wallets?](https://help.eossupport.io/en/articles/5565632-what-are-the-best-eos-wallets)