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Alby Wallet Setup Guide Securing Your Bitcoin Browser Extension Recovery Phrase

Install the tool directly from the Chrome Web Store or Firefox Add-ons portal. Verify the developer's name matches the official project before adding it to your browser. This step prevents malicious clones from stealing your funds.
Initialization creates twelve or twenty-four unique words. This sequence is your master key. Write each term on durable paper with a pen that won't fade. Digital copies–screenshots, cloud notes, text files–are vulnerable to malware and must be avoided. Store the physical copy separately from your primary device.
Never share this word collection. No legitimate service will request it. The software itself only asks for input during the first installation or a complete restoration. Treat these words with the same secrecy as a bank vault combination.
If your computer fails or you switch devices, you can reinstate access. Use the "import" or "restore" function in the add-on. Enter your handwritten terms in the exact order. A single mistake will generate a different, empty vault. Double-check spelling before finalizing.
For significant holdings, split your word list across multiple secure locations. Consider etching the sequence on metal to protect against fire or water damage. This precaution ensures you can reclaim your assets years later, independent of any specific hardware or software availability.
Alby Wallet Browser Extension Setup and Recovery Phrase Guide

Install the add-on exclusively from the official Chrome Web Store or Firefox Add-ons portal to avoid malicious clones.
After adding it to your toolbar, click the icon and select 'Get Started'. You'll be presented with a clear choice: generate a new vault or restore an existing one using your secret words.
Choosing 'Create a new wallet' triggers the most critical step. The software will display a list of 24 unique words in a precise sequence.
Write each term on its designated line using the provided physical card. Verify the spelling twice. Digital copies–screenshots, cloud notes, typed documents–are vulnerable to theft and must be avoided entirely.
You will then be asked to confirm your understanding by selecting several of those words in the correct order. This check ensures you have recorded them properly.
Define a strong, unique password for daily access to the interface. This encrypts the local data, but remember: this password cannot retrieve your funds if the 24-word list is lost.
For restoration on a new device, select 'I already have a wallet' and input your mnemonic phrase. Enter every word with perfect accuracy, including the exact sequence, to regain access. A single typo will fail.
Store your handwritten seed in a secure, offline location, separate from your devices. Treat this paper with the same caution as cash or a passport; it grants full control over your bitcoin and Lightning funds.
Installing the Alby Extension in Your Browser

Navigate directly to the official store for your chosen application: Chrome Web Store for Chromium-based applications like Chrome or Brave, or the Firefox Add-ons portal for Mozilla's application.
Locate the tool using the search function, confirm the publisher is listed as "Alby," and select the "Add to [Browser Name]" button. A prompt will request permission for the add-on to interact with websites; approving this is necessary for its core functionality of managing transactions and authorizations.
The installation completes in seconds. You'll see the utility's icon appear in your toolbar, typically in the upper-right corner. A click on this symbol will launch its interface, signaling a successful integration into your application.

• Pin the icon for immediate access.
• If the icon is hidden, click the extensions puzzle piece.
• Drag the Alby symbol to your visible toolbar.

With the program now active, the next immediate step is initial configuration, which involves securing your access credentials. This foundational action protects your funds and data.
Creating a New Wallet and Storing Your Secret Words

Initiate the process directly within the tool's interface by selecting the option to generate a new vault.
Your display will present a sequence of 12 or 24 unique terms in a precise, numbered list. This is your master key.

• Transcribe each term with its exact number onto durable, non-digital material like a steel plate or specialized paper.
• Verify the transcription twice, comparing it letter-for-letter against the screen.
• Never store a digital copy–no screenshots, cloud notes, or text files.

Immediately after recording, the interface will request you to re-enter specific terms from your list to confirm possession.
Multiple physical copies, stored in separate secure locations like a safe deposit box and a personal fireproof safe, drastically reduce risk of total loss.
Treat this list with the same permanent secrecy as your online banking credentials; its compromise guarantees irreversible loss of your digital assets.
Anyone who can view these words gains absolute, irrevocable control over everything held within that vault.
Your recorded list is the singular, non-replaceable mechanism for restoring access; its loss is final.
How to Add Bitcoin or Lightning Network Funds

Connect your Lightning node directly for the most control over channels and liquidity.
Services like Lightning Address or LNURL-pay let you receive satoshis through a simple, readable identifier like you@pay.service.
For on-chain Bitcoin, generate a fresh receiving address from your asset dashboard for each transaction to enhance privacy.
Always verify the first and last four characters of any Bitcoin address you copy; a single wrong character means lost funds.
Small, frequent payments work best over Lightning; larger sums should be sent on-chain.
Use a custodial service for instant, low-fee Lightning top-ups without managing channels yourself.
Check the mempool status before broadcasting an on-chain transaction; high congestion leads to slow confirmations and expensive fees.
Scan a QR code with your camera for Lightning invoices to avoid manual entry errors.
FAQ:

I installed Alby but the icon isn't showing up in my browser toolbar. How do I find it?

This is a common issue. Browsers often hide new extension icons to keep the toolbar clean. Look for a small puzzle piece or extensions icon (usually in the top-right corner). Click it, and you should see the Alby icon listed. You can usually pin it to your toolbar from that menu by clicking a pin icon next to it. If it's not there at all, check your browser's extensions management page to confirm the installation completed.
What exactly is a recovery phrase, and why does Alby make me write down 12 words?

Your recovery phrase is your master key. It's a human-readable version of the complex cryptographic keys that control your bitcoin. Alby generates it for you. Those 12 words are not stored by Alby or on any server; they exist only where you write them down. If you delete the extension, lose your device, or need to use alby wallet setup on another computer, entering these same 12 words will restore full access to your wallet and funds. Anyone with these words has complete control, so their secrecy is paramount.
Is it safe to type my recovery phrase into my computer when restoring Alby?

You must balance convenience and risk. Typing the phrase on a computer with malware could lead to theft. For maximum security, use a clean, trusted device. A good practice is to restore the wallet, then immediately move your funds to a new wallet with a fresh, never-typed recovery phrase if you suspect any past compromise. The safest hardware wallets are designed to never expose the phrase to a computer.
I lost my recovery phrase. Can I get my bitcoin back from my Alby wallet?

No. There is no way to recover the phrase or the funds it controls if it is lost. Alby does not keep a copy—this is a core feature of non-custodial wallets, giving you full responsibility. If you have the extension installed and working, you can still access your funds. You must immediately create a new wallet within Alby, write down the new recovery phrase securely, and transfer all your bitcoin to this new wallet address. This secures your funds before the old wallet is potentially lost due to browser data clearance or device failure.
Can I use the same Alby recovery phrase on a different wallet app, like Zeus or BlueWallet?

Yes, in most cases. Standards like BIP39 mean recovery phrases are often compatible across different wallet software. Your 12-word phrase from Alby should work in other wallets that support the same standard. However, always test with a small amount first. Some wallets might derive different addresses, so sending a tiny test transaction after importing is a wise step to confirm full access and correct functionality.
I installed the Alby extension but my browser is asking for a "host permission" to connect to sites like getalby.com or lnbits.com. Is this safe to allow?

Yes, this is safe and required for the extension to function properly. The host permission allows the Alby extension to interact with specific Bitcoin and Lightning websites you visit. It does not give Alby broad access to all your browsing data. The permission is narrowly scoped so that when you're on a site that supports Lightning payments, Alby can detect it and offer to connect your wallet. You need this for features like making payments directly from the extension or having a website request an invoice from your wallet. Without granting this, the extension cannot communicate with these web pages. Alby is open-source software, so its code can be publicly reviewed to confirm it only uses this permission for its stated purpose.
I wrote down my 12-word recovery phrase, but I'm worried about storing it. Is a photo on my phone or a text file on my computer a bad idea?

Storing your recovery phrase digitally is a significant risk. A photo, screenshot, or text file can be accessed by malware on your device or synced to a cloud service that could be breached. The recovery phrase is the master key to your funds. Anyone who sees it can take control of your wallet and all the bitcoin in it. The safest method is to write the words clearly on the durable material provided in the Alby kit or on paper, and store that physical copy in a secure location, like a lockbox or safe. For higher security, consider using a metal backup tool designed to survive fire or water. Never share these words with anyone, and never enter them into any website or form unless you are absolutely certain you are using the official Alby recovery process within the extension itself.