Where Does Electrum Store Wallets?
Electrum wallet files and config on every OS, and what the seed phrase cannot restore.
Last updated
Electrum keeps one file per wallet in a wallets/ folder inside its datadir: %APPDATA%\Electrum on Windows, ~/.electrum on Mac and Linux (verified in the official FAQ). Config (JSON, extensionless) plus logs and headers sit beside it.
The 12 word seed restores coins, not everything: labels, contacts, imported keys and watching only wallets need the wallet file copy (File, Save Copy). Never downgrade after opening in a newer version; formats move forward only. Download from electrum.org with GPG checks, since fakes prey on search ads.
Where Electrum stores this, by platform
%APPDATA%\Electrum\wallets\
One file per wallet (default_wallet first run), AES encrypted with your password. Config extensionless beside it. Back up via File, Save Copy.
~/.electrum/wallets/
Same layout (open via Finder Go to Folder). Config holds GUI prefs including screenshot_protection. Seed recovers funds but not labels; copy wallet files for those.
~/.electrum/wallets/
Same layout for source, AppImage and Tails builds. Open a specific file with electrum -w /path. Logs only after enabling Write logs to file plus restart.
Frequently asked questions
Is my Electrum seed enough as a backup?
For coins, yes (New/Restore from seed). For labels, contacts, imported keys and watching only wallets, no: those live only in the wallet files, so copy them too.
Why is my Electrum window black in screenshots?
Screenshot protection, on by default. Toggle Preferences, Misc or set screenshot_protection false in config if you record tutorials and accept the shoulder surfing risk.
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