Bitcoin: btcrecover Not Supporting Latest Bitcoin Core Wallet Format
In recent days, users of the popular cryptocurrency Bitcoin have been facing an issue when attempting to use the btcrecover tool against their encrypted Bitcoin Core (BTC) wallet files. Specifically, those using the latest version of Bitcoin Core, 27.0, are encountering a frustrating error message while trying to recover their wallet from a corrupted file.
The Problem:
The btcrecover command is designed to analyze and potentially restore a damaged or encrypted Bitcoin wallet. However, in this case, it appears that Bitcoin Core 27.0 has introduced changes to its wallet format that make the btcrecover tool incompatible.
The Error Message:
When attempting to use btcrecover against a corrupted wallet file stored in a .wallet.dat format encrypted with a short password, users are met with an error message indicating “unrecognized wallet format. This error occurs even if the original Bitcoin Core 27.0 wallet file is still intact and contains only invalid or incomplete data.
The Issue:
The issue lies in the fact that Bitcoin Core 27.0 has changed the way it stores and structures its wallet files. Specifically, the new version includes a new format for storing encrypted wallet files, which is not compatible with the older btcrecover tool.
Solutions:
To overcome this issue, users can try the following solutions:
- Try an earlier Bitcoin Core version: Users may need to revert their system to an earlier Bitcoin Core version (e.g., 25.x) that does not use the new wallet format.
- Use a different
btcrecovercommand:
If the user is unable to recover their wallet using the default
btcrecovercommand, they can try using a custom recovery tool specifically designed for older versions of Bitcoin Core (e.g.,bc-rcc).
- Restore from a backup file: In some cases, users may be able to restore their wallet from a previous backup file that contains the original Bitcoin Core 27.0 wallet data.
Conclusion:
The issue with btcrecover not supporting the latest Bitcoin Core wallet format is a bug in the newer version of Bitcoin Core. Users who encounter this error should explore alternative solutions, such as using an older Bitcoin Core version or a custom recovery tool specifically designed for their specific situation.
Additional Resources:
- Bitcoin Core GitHub repository: [
- Bitcoin Core documentation: [
Note: This article is intended to provide general information and may not be comprehensive or up-to-date. For the most accurate and current information, users should consult the official Bitcoin Core documentation and contact the Bitcoin community for assistance.
