# Use Recovery Phrases

Back up an organization's private keys using key shareholders' recovery phrases.

[Learn more about multi-party computation (MPC) in Fordefi](/user-guide/welcome/product-security#multi-party-computation-mpc).

The backup process is performed in two phases:

- **In the Fordefi web console**: You select the key share holders and backup email.
- **On admins' mobile devices**: The designated admins generate recovery phrases and share them.


## In the Fordefi web console

1. In the side menu, click **Settings**, then click the **Backup** tab.
2. Choose **Recovery Phrases** as your backup method.

3. In the first phase of the backup creation, assign admins as recovery key holders and specify the minimum number required to decrypt the backup. For example,
`2 of John June, Jane Doe, Joe Bee`

4. Click **Next**.

5. Specify an email address to receive encrypted backup snapshots. Click **Edit email**.

You can choose whether or not the system sends you backup snaphots by email.
  - To opt in, toggle on **Get the latest encrypted backup by email**, then specify the email address of the person who will receive the backup.
  - To opt out, toggle off **Get the latest encrypted backup by email**.
Click **Save**.
If you have opted out, no encrypted backups are sent by email. You can still download the latest backup snapshot at any time by selecting **Settings** > **Backup** in the Fordefi web console.
6. Click **Initiate backup process**.
At the conclusion of the process, an updated backup snapshot of the metadata and an encrypted copy of the organization's private keys will be sent as a .json file to the backup email address.


Opening the .json file requires the combined recovery phrase of the designated admins.

## On admins' mobile devices

To continue the backup process, each of the designated admins must do the following in the Fordefi mobile app.

1. Go to **Management** > **Inbox**.
2. Tap **Backup request** to view the backup details.

3. Tap **Create key**.
The designated admins receive a recovery phrase comprising 12 random words that are displayed in a numbered list. Something like this:

  - Each admin receives a unique recovery phrase.
  - The designated admins should write down the recovery phrases in the correct order.
  - The recovery phrases should be stored in a secure location and not shared with anyone.
4. Click **Continue**.

5. In the window that is displayed, enter the recovery phrase in the correct order, and click **Confirm**.


When all the designated admins complete the process, the following occurs:

- A message informs the designated admins that a backup key has been successfully shared.

- An updated backup snapshot of the metadata, and an encrypted copy of the organization's private key is sent as a .json file to the backup email address.


Opening the .json file requires the combined recovery phrase of the designated admins.

- Do not share a recovery phrase with anyone.
- Store the recovery phrase in a secure location.