Import into Electrum

How to import a private key into Electrum

Take control of your custom address in the Electrum desktop wallet.

Electrum is a fast, well-established desktop Bitcoin wallet that can import a single private key into its own wallet file. These steps target Electrum 4.x on Windows, macOS or Linux; menu names can vary between versions.

  1. 1

    Download and open Electrum

    Download Electrum only from the official site, electrum.org, and verify the file if you can. Install it, launch the app, and keep the default wallet file name (or choose your own) when prompted.
    Download and open Electrum
  2. 2

    Choose to import private keys

    On the wallet-type screen, select Import Bitcoin addresses or private keys instead of "Standard wallet". This tells Electrum you are bringing your own key rather than creating a new seed.
    Choose to import private keys
  3. 3

    Paste your WIF private key

    Paste the private key (WIF) we sent you. For a SegWit address (bc1q…) prefix the key with p2wpkh:; for a Legacy address (1…) use p2pkh:, for example p2wpkh:Kx…. Electrum needs this prefix to build the right address type.
    Paste your WIF private key
  4. 4

    Set a wallet password

    Choose a strong password when asked. Electrum uses it to encrypt the wallet file on disk, so a copied file is useless without it. Write the password down somewhere safe. It cannot be recovered.
    Set a wallet password
  5. 5

    Check the address matches

    When the wallet opens, open the Addresses tab (enable it under View → Show Addresses if hidden) and confirm your custom address appears exactly as expected. Any balance already sent to it shows in the History tab.
  6. 6

    Back up the key

    An imported wallet has no seed phrase, so its only backup is the WIF key itself (or the encrypted wallet file). Keep an offline copy in a safe place. To move to a seed-based wallet later, send the funds to a new standard wallet you create.

Your custom address is now under your control in Electrum. Spending works like any wallet: open the Send tab, enter a destination and amount, and broadcast. Note: Electrum cannot import Taproot (bc1p…) keys yet. For a Taproot address, keep the key safe and use a wallet that supports Taproot key import.

Wallet interfaces change, so the exact button names and screens may differ from this guide. Always download wallets from their official websites, and never share your private key with anyone.