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# How to Set Up and Use Sparrow Wallet

Sparrow Wallet is a self-custodial Bitcoin wallet for desktop computers. It offers detailed transaction, fee, privacy, and coin-control tools.

|| **Information:** When you create a software wallet in Sparrow, the keys that control your bitcoin are stored on your computer. Securing the computer and recovery phrase is your responsibility.

## Install Sparrow

1. Download Sparrow only from the [official Sparrow Wallet download page](https://www.sparrowwallet.com/download/).
2. Follow Sparrow's instructions to verify the download before installing it.
3. Install Sparrow and open it.

![Sparrow Welcome wizard with offline mode toggle and Next button](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/-/4/2/3/b/423bb8bf04277800/sparrow-1_x1qv2z.png)

## Choose a server connection

Sparrow needs a server connection to check balances and broadcast transactions. The Welcome wizard offers a public server, your own Bitcoin Core node, or a private Electrum server.

A public server is the quickest way to begin. You can change the connection later in Sparrow's server settings.

||| **Warning:** A public server can learn information about the wallet addresses you check. For better privacy, especially with a meaningful balance, connect Sparrow to your own node or a server you trust.

![Sparrow Server settings with Public Server selected and Create New Wallet button](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/-/4/2/3/b/423bb8bf04277800/sparrow-2_r9nheq.png)

## Create a software wallet

1. Select **Create New Wallet**.
2. Enter a name for the wallet and select **New Wallet**.

![Sparrow Wallet Name dialog with name field and New Wallet button](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/-/4/2/3/b/423bb8bf04277800/sparrow-3_19ryg2b.png)

3. For a basic wallet, keep the default **Single Signature** and **Native Segwit** settings.
4. Select **New or Imported Software Wallet**.
5. Under **Mnemonic Words (BIP39)**, choose **Enter 12 Words**.
6. Select **Generate New**.
7. Write the 12 words on paper in the exact order shown.
8. Select **Confirm Backup**, then **Re-enter Words** and enter the words in order.
9. Select **Create Keystore**, then **Import Keystore**.
10. Select **Apply** and create a strong password for the Sparrow wallet file.

||| **Warning:** Never save your recovery phrase in a screenshot, cloud document, email, password manager, or support chat. Anyone who has the phrase can spend your bitcoin.

## Back up and recover your wallet

The recovery phrase is the essential backup. Keep it offline and secure. The Sparrow wallet-file password protects the file on your computer, but it cannot replace a lost recovery phrase.

To restore the wallet:

1. Open Sparrow and create a new wallet file.
2. Select **New or Imported Software Wallet**.
3. Choose the correct number of mnemonic words.
4. Enter the recovery phrase in order.
5. Select **Create Keystore**, then **Import Keystore**.
6. Select **Apply** and create a password for the restored wallet file.

## Receive bitcoin from Bitcoin Well

1. Open your wallet and select **Receive**.
2. Select **Get Next Address** to generate a fresh receiving address.

![Sparrow Receive tab with Get Next Address button and receiving QR code](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/-/4/2/3/b/423bb8bf04277800/sparrow-4_idj3jt.png)

3. Copy the Bitcoin address.
4. Use that address as the destination wallet address in Bitcoin Well.
5. Check the beginning and end of the pasted address before confirming.
6. The incoming payment will appear under **Transactions** after Bitcoin Well broadcasts it.

| **Tip:** Use a new receiving address for each payment, label transactions when helpful, and begin with a small test transaction.

## Send bitcoin

1. Open the **Send** tab.
2. Paste the recipient's Bitcoin address into **Pay to**.
3. Add a label and enter the amount.
4. Choose an appropriate network fee.
5. Select **Create Transaction**.
6. Review the destination address, amount, network fee, and transaction outputs.
7. Sign the transaction with your software wallet, then broadcast it.

||| **Warning:** Bitcoin transactions cannot normally be reversed. Confirm the complete destination address and amount before signing.

## Official guides

* [Sparrow Wallet Quick Start Guide](https://www.sparrowwallet.com/docs/quick-start.html)
* [Download and verify Sparrow](https://www.sparrowwallet.com/download/)
* [Sparrow Wallet Best Practices](https://www.sparrowwallet.com/docs/best-practices.html)
* [Sparrow Wallet FAQ](https://www.sparrowwallet.com/docs/faq.html)

Bitcoin Well is not affiliated with Sparrow Wallet. App screens and menu names may change; use Sparrow Wallet's official documentation if your version looks different.