[Enhancement] Import Private Key String

[GoogleCodeExporter]

Please allow us to import private keys as strings, instead of only allowing us 
to import exported keys.

Also, if the import of string could implement QR reading, that would also be a 
plus.

Thanks for the great app and not asking for crazy permissions <3

Original issue reported on code.google.com by earthme...@gmail.com on 25 Apr 2013 at 3:41

[GoogleCodeExporter]

Can you describe your usecase?

Original comment by andreas....@gmail.com on 25 Apr 2013 at 7:59

• Added labels: Type-Enhancement
• Removed labels: Type-Defect

[GoogleCodeExporter]

User has private key string
User wants to import private key into Bitcoin Wallet
User asks Bitcoin Wallet to import via string
User is presented with input text box that allows manual input or scan a QR code
User is asked what to name this new account (optional)
Bitcoin Wallet runs `bitcoind importprivkey PRIVATEKEY [NAME]` or equivalent.
Bitcoin Wallet can now accept and send funds using the imported private key.

Original comment by earthme...@gmail.com on 25 Apr 2013 at 8:03

[GoogleCodeExporter]

Why do you want moving private keys around?

If you want move Bitcoins, just use a Bitcoin transaction.

Original comment by andreas....@gmail.com on 25 Apr 2013 at 8:06

[GoogleCodeExporter]

Vanity Bitcoin Addresses, sir :D

Original comment by earthme...@gmail.com on 25 Apr 2013 at 8:12

[GoogleCodeExporter]

I'd like this feature too.

My primary use case would be loading my phone up with bitcoin from paper 
wallets:

1) Either someone gives me a paper wallet as payment, or as part of an exchange 
for fiat money, and I want to sweep up the BTC value into my phone wallet

2) Or I might have most of my bitcoin savings at home in cold storage split 
across multiple paper notes, and before going out I want to load my phone with 
one note as spending money

Original comment by victor.v...@gmail.com on 19 May 2013 at 11:57

[GoogleCodeExporter]

1) Sweeping of private keys will be supported at some point. However, it needs 
access to the block chain an SPV wallet does not have. So unless the Bitcoin 
P2P protocol will be extended to query historic data based on a bloom filter, 
it can not be done in Bitcoin Wallet.

2) The current approach of handling paper wallets is very dangerous and has 
already caused loss of way too many Bitcoins. As soon as HD wallets arrive, we 
will add support for safe and easy to use cold storage (including "paper HD 
wallets" I guess). See https://en.bitcoin.it/wiki/BIP_0032.

Original comment by andreas....@gmail.com on 19 May 2013 at 1:09

[GoogleCodeExporter]

I'm closing this as won't fix. If I see a way to implement sweeping of paper 
wallets, I will try to implement that.

Original comment by andreas....@gmail.com on 21 Aug 2013 at 1:41

• Changed state: WontFix