<p>Different clients <em>may</em> have different wallet formats.   Some do, some don't. If you want to use a new client, create a new wallet for that client and transfer the coins to it.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2013-11-18T10:27:41.047Z
2013-11-18T10:35:24.133Z
2013-11-18T10:35:24.133Z
zkilnbqi
<p>Almost every client has the option to export your Private keys.</p>

<p>MultiBit also has this option.</p>

<p>You can think of a wallet file as a container for your Private Keys and a list of your transactions. This wallet may be in a different format for different clients, but you can always export your Private key, and that is what matters most.</p>

<p>Bitcoin-qt has a wallet with a <a href="https://bitcoin.stackexchange.com/questions/746/how-should-you-backup-your-wallet">key pool</a> and addresses that does not show. The best way to move your coins is to send them to a new address in your new wallet. But if you have a favorite address you want to keep, you can export from the Console with "dumpprivkey".</p>

<p><a href="https://bitcoin.stackexchange.com/questions/13687/which-bitcoin-wallets-let-you-export-to-a-universal-wallet-format/13823#13823">Here is my answer, how to export from every client</a></p>

<p>But there are also services that keep the Private keys.  These services do not allow export.</p>

<ul>
<li>Coinbase</li>
<li>Coinkite (You get your private keys - but encrypted) </li>
</ul>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2013-10-27T17:06:51.870Z
2013-11-18T13:05:48.857Z
2017-04-13T12:47:33.583Z
Jonas Oestman
<p>If I create *.wallet file in MultiBit, encrypt it with password and transfer some coins to it - does it tie me to this particular client, or can I open *.wallet file in any client</p>

<wallet><multibit>
Are wallets compatible with different clients?
dark_ruby
# Are wallets compatible with different clients?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2013-10-27)

If I create \*.wallet file in MultiBit, encrypt it with password and transfer some coins to it - does it tie me to this particular client, or can I open \*.wallet file in any client

**Tags:** wallet, multibit


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## 2 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2013-11-18. Score: 1

Different clients *may* have different wallet formats. Some do, some don't. If you want to use a new client, create a new wallet for that client and transfer the coins to it.


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### Answer by username_2 on 2013-10-27. Score: 1

Almost every client has the option to export your Private keys.

MultiBit also has this option.

You can think of a wallet file as a container for your Private Keys and a list of your transactions. This wallet may be in a different format for different clients, but you can always export your Private key, and that is what matters most.

Bitcoin-qt has a wallet with a [key pool](https://bitcoin.stackexchange.com/questions/746/how-should-you-backup-your-wallet) and addresses that does not show. The best way to move your coins is to send them to a new address in your new wallet. But if you have a favorite address you want to keep, you can export from the Console with "dumpprivkey".

[Here is my answer, how to export from every client](https://bitcoin.stackexchange.com/questions/13687/which-bitcoin-wallets-let-you-export-to-a-universal-wallet-format/13823#13823)

But there are also services that keep the Private keys. These services do not allow export.

* Coinbase
* Coinkite (You get your private keys - but encrypted)


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