# Export the private key for your Link balance self-custodial wallet

* [Before you export your private key](#before-you-export)
* [Export your private key](#export-private-key)
* [Keep your private key secure](#keep-private-key-secure)
## Before you export your private key
You can export the private key for your Link balance self-custodial wallet at any time.
Your private key provides access to the digital assets in your wallet. Anyone who obtains the key might be able to access those assets.
Before you begin:
* Make sure no one can see your screen.
* Choose a secure location for the private key.
* Never share your private key with anyone.
* Never enter your private key on an untrusted website.
* Don’t save your private key in a file or location that other people can access.
## Export your private key
1. **Sign in to your account:** Sign in to your Link account on the Link website.
1. **Open the private key export settings:** Go to **Settings**, select **Balance**, and then select **Export balance**.
1. **Review the warning:** Read the information about exporting your private key. To continue, select the checkbox confirming that you understand the warning.
1. **Request your private key:** Select **Request private key**, and then enter the verification code when prompted.
1. **Wait for Link to prepare the export:** You’ll see **Private key requested** while Link prepares your private key. Preparation might take longer while recent or pending transactions settle. You can leave this screen while the request is being processed.
1. **Return to your balance:** When your private key is ready, go to **Wallet**, select **Balance**, and then select **View your private key**.
1. **Confirm that you’re ready to view the key:** Read the final warning. You might need to enter another verification code, especially if you left the page and returned later. Make sure no one can see your screen, and then select **Confirm**.
1. **Save your private key securely:** On the **Save your private key** screen, copy the entire private key and store it in a secure location. Link can’t display or recover the private key again.
   - Don’t refresh or close the screen until you’ve confirmed that you saved the entire key correctly.
1. **Finish the export:** Confirm that you saved the entire private key. After you’ve stored it securely, confirm that you saved it and close the screen.
## Keep your private key secure
Link can’t display or recover your private key after you leave the export screen.
After exporting your private key:
* Keep it confidential.
* Store it in a secure location.
* Don’t share it with anyone.
* Don’t save it in a file or location that other people can access.
* Don’t enter it on an untrusted website.
Anyone who obtains your private key might be able to access the digital assets in your wallet. Confirm that you saved the entire key in a secure location before closing the export screen.