Transforming my wallet into an HD wallet bitcoin core 26

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#1Apr 23, 2026, 06:40 AM
Hey everyone, I’ve got a wallet set up on Ubuntu 22.04 using snap and bitcoin core 26. When I type this in the terminal: I can’t find any option like that. Is there a method to convert my old wallet to an HD wallet? I seriously couldn’t find anything on Google about it. Appreciate your help! Michael
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gr3g.0rbitHero Member
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#2Apr 23, 2026, 09:40 AM
Since you're using QT (GUI), just launch Bitcoin Core normally and go to console (Window->Console). Select the target wallet in the drop-down menu of the console (if not available, load load it first) and enter the command: upgradewallet But in case if you're actually asking how to upgrade it into a 'descriptor wallet': Select the old wallet in overview's wallet drop-down menu, then use "File->Migrate Wallet" to convert it into a descriptor wallet. Wait for it to finish, it may take a while depending on the contents of the wallet file.
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#3Apr 24, 2026, 05:11 AM
Thank you for your answer nc50lc! I have a few more perhaps stupid beginner's questions: I only have one wallet.dat file, so not several wallets. I use this as long-term storage for my coins. I have passphrase encrypted my wallet and always make backups of the wallet.dat if I generate a new address. If I now convert my wallet into an HD wallet or a Descriptor wallet and something goes wrong, can I still use my old wallet.dat file again if I copy it to the wallet.dat location via linux termial? Should I update my wallet.dat at all? I hardly ever generate new addresses. Or do I have a disadvantage if I leave everything as it is? What would you recommend? Thx a lot Michael
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gr3g.0rbitHero Member
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#4Apr 24, 2026, 10:49 AM
Yes, but it's better to use the proper import method rather than manual copy of the wallet.dat file to the wallets directory. Use the command: bitcoin-cli restorewallet "wallet_name" "path_to_old_wallet.dat_file_backup" link: https://bitcoincore.org/en/doc/25.0.0/rpc/wallet/restorewallet/ I'd recommend to migrate to a descriptor wallet. The main reason is because legacy wallet format support will soon be dropped by Bitcoin Core.
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#5Apr 24, 2026, 12:16 PM
thank you very much, I try it and reply if I'll get any problems!
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