Help:How to import private keys in Bitcoin Core 0.7+

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Revision as of 20:59, 10 October 2012 by Nibor (talk | contribs) (Unlock your wallet)
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Open Debug Window

Then go to menu: /Help/Debug Window


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and click on the tab - Console.

Unlock your wallet

If your wallet is encrypted (I hope it is!) you must unlock it. If not just skip this step.

To do this just type:

walletpassphrase YourLongPassphrase 600

The 600 means your wallet is unlocked for 10 mins (600seconds

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Run Import Command in Debug Window

In the console at the very bottom is a text entry box in here enter:

importprivkey yourPrivateKeyInWalletImportFormat TheLabelThatIWant

Import1.PNG

You now have to be patient. On a fast PC it takes 2 minutes to import, and during this time it looks like you application has hung. After waiting a few minutes you will see:

Import2.PNG

You are now done. But always best to check it worked.

Check Key Imported OK

Once Imported you can check that you have the address by closing the Debug window and going back to your address book.

You should see the address here:

InAddressBook.PNG

And you can even send a transaction to check e.g.

ReceivedTrans.PNG

Backup Wallet

Your backup of you wallet will not have this key in obviously. So before you do anything else close the client (to ensure that it is locked again) and backup the wallet.dat file as normal.