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
Classic: sweep your exported
.key private keys directly into a new standard wallet (Wallet → Private Keys → Sweep). HD: restore your 12-, 18- or 24-word seed with BIP39 and path m/0'. Then verify the balance against a known historical address.Why Electrum?
- Actively maintained, open source, and free.
- Lightweight (SPV) like MultiBit — no full blockchain download.
- Supports both WIF private keys (Classic) and BIP39 seeds (HD).
- Works on Windows, macOS and Linux.
Step 1 — Prepare your MultiBit material
- Classic: export your private keys via Tools → Export Private Keys (see the export guide).
- HD: have your seed words ready (see the restore guide).
Step 2 — Install Electrum
Download from the official site — electrum.org — and verify the signature if you can. Install and open it.
Step 3 — Sweep your keys or restore your seed
From MultiBit Classic (keys)
- Create a new standard wallet with a freshly generated seed, so the destination wallet has its own backup.
- Open Wallet → Private Keys → Sweep and paste the decrypted WIF keys (
5,K,L). If your export is encrypted, decrypt it first with the correct export password using a verified offline method — Electrum's Sweep window expects plain WIF keys, not an encrypted.keyfile. - Confirm the destination address belongs to the new wallet, review the fee, and broadcast.
From MultiBit HD (seed)
- New wallet → Standard wallet → "I already have a seed".
- Enter the words, tick BIP39.
- Set derivation path to
m/0', type legacy (p2pkh). - Wait for the scan; then verify at least one derived address against a known historical address before assuming the restoration is correct.
Step 4 — Verify and keep the new wallet safe
Once the sweep is confirmed, the old keys are retired — never reuse them. Write down the new wallet's seed phrase in a secure offline location, and consider moving larger balances to a hardware wallet if you plan to hold them.
Send a tiny test amount first, confirm it arrives, then send the rest. Double-check the receiving address character by character.
Security checklist
Use a trusted, ideally offline machine. Keep keys and seed words safe. Verify every address before sending. After sweeping, keep your new seed phrase written down in a secure offline location.
Migration FAQ
Why Electrum instead of another wallet?
Electrum is actively maintained, open source, free, lightweight (SPV), and supports both WIF private keys (Classic) and BIP39 seeds (HD) — which is why it's the standard recommendation for old MultiBit funds.
Can I move MultiBit funds directly without a detour?
You first need to make the keys or seed available in a modern wallet like Electrum, then you can send the balance to any address you control.
How long does the move take?
Exporting the keys takes minutes. The time-consuming part is Electrum scanning the blockchain — usually a few minutes for a handful of addresses. After that, sending is immediate.
Which wallet can I move my MultiBit bitcoin to?
Electrum is the best-supported choice because it accepts both MultiBit HD seeds (BIP39, path m/0') and MultiBit Classic WIF keys. Other BIP39 wallets can restore the HD seed too, but for Classic keys Electrum's sweep support is the most reliable.