Before you continue
- Do not delete or overwrite original wallet data.
- Make at least two copies before attempting any repair.
- Preserve the original folder structure where possible.
- Do not install random tools found through search advertisements.
- Do not enter wallet words into a website.
- Do not send private keys, wallet files or passwords through ordinary email.
- Verify software signatures and hashes where possible.
- Verify at least one historical Bitcoin address before assuming a wallet is correct.
- After recovery, transfer funds to a newly generated, maintained wallet.
The short answer
In MultiBit Classic, open your wallet and choose Tools → Export Private Keys to create a
.key file, then import or sweep those keys in Electrum. MultiBit HD has no per-key export — restore the seed phrase instead.Before you start
- You need your wallet password, unless your wallet was created without one.
- Do this on a machine you trust, ideally offline.
- Treat every exported key like cash — anyone who sees it can spend your bitcoin.
Step 1 — Open MultiBit Classic
Launch MultiBit Classic and open your wallet file. If it won't open or sync, that's normal for 2026 — you only need the wallet UI long enough to export keys. (MultiBit HD users: skip to restore your seed instead.)
Step 2 — Export the private keys
- Go to Tools → Export Private Keys.
- Choose your export options (all addresses is safest).
- Enter your wallet password if prompted — MultiBit will decrypt the keys.
- Save the resulting
.keyfile somewhere safe, or copy the keys shown on screen.
The keys are in WIF format and start with 5, K or L.
Step 3 — Sweep the keys in Electrum
- Create a new standard wallet in Electrum with a freshly generated seed, so the destination wallet has its own backup.
- Open Wallet → Private Keys → Sweep.
- Paste the WIF keys (they start with
5,KorL). If your exported file is encrypted, decrypt it with the correct export password using a verified method first — Electrum's Sweep window expects private key text, not an encrypted file. - Confirm the destination address belongs to the wallet you just created, review the fee, and broadcast.
- Verify the transaction independently, then keep the old keys retired and never reuse them.
More detail on the import: move your bitcoin to Electrum.
Password forgotten?
If your
.wallet or .key file is encrypted and you don't remember the password, the keys cannot simply be exported — decryption is needed. Keep your files safe and work only on copies.Key export FAQ
What is a WIF key?
WIF (Wallet Import Format) is the standard format for a single private Bitcoin key. MultiBit Classic keys start with 5, K or L — those are the exact strings you import into Electrum.
Can I export keys from MultiBit HD?
MultiBit HD doesn't export per-key files the way Classic does. All keys derive from the 12-, 18- or 24-word seed phrase — restore the seed in Electrum instead.
What if my .wallet file is encrypted?
Without the password, the keys can't be exported directly. If you ever made an unencrypted .key export, import those keys. If only the .wallet file is encrypted, decryption is needed — the more you remember about the password, the better.
I imported my old keys — what should I do next?
Move the full balance to a newly generated wallet as soon as possible. Importing old keys leaves the funds controlled by keys that may have been exposed, so never reuse them — sweep the entire balance to fresh addresses in a maintained wallet.
Export Private Keys is greyed out in MultiBit Classic — why?
The menu item is greyed out when no wallet is open or the selected wallet is empty. Open the specific .wallet file that holds your coins first, then Tools → Export Private Keys becomes available. If it stays greyed out, you can also extract the keys from the .wallet file with a carefully vetted open-source tool — verify the tool's source and hashes and run it offline.
How do I sweep a MultiBit private key into a new wallet?
In Electrum, choose Wallet → Private Keys → Sweep, paste the WIF key (starting with 5, K or L) and send the balance to a fresh address. Sweeping moves the coins to a wallet you control and leaves nothing behind on the old key.