OK, so now I have what appear to be 2 good and uncomplicated options to solve this problem (thanks again everyone!).
1) I have OmegaStarScream (forum staff) telling me to download ELECTRUM (on my Mac, which I already did), then import my BTC private key into Electrum and then send it from Electrum to my father's Coinbase BTC receive address. That sounds quick and easy, just what I was hoping!
2) Then I have magick (forum newbie) telling me to download BlueWallet onto my dad's iPhone (which I thought we had already tried but I will have to check again, maybe not) and then import the paper wallet by simply choosing that (Import Wallet) option and entering the 52 character private key, which then allows access to the BTC, which I can then send to my dad's Coinbase BTC receive address. Sounds equally quick and easy as the first option.
(OmegaStarScream and magick do either of you have anything to share about the others' recommendation?)
So which is better?
Is there a "better" or is it just a matter of preference and comfortability?
Is 1 of these 2 seemingly great options clearly a preferable choice in any way?
And, BTW, nothing in any of this advice have I seen "go offline" or "disconnect from the internet" type instruction. It appears that these days you can just type a private key into Electrum on your web-connected Mac or BlueWallet on your 5G connected iPhone and the BTC will just show up without hassle or fear of loss/theft. Is that really true? That's what it sounds like.
Thanks again.
I think when it comes to choosing between wallets it really boils down to personal preference and comfort level with the options available as each has its strengths and there's no one size fits all answer.
For instance, if you're leaning towards using your phone Blue wallet can be a great choice because it's user friendly and works on both iOS and Android devices.
Just remember a few tips to keep your coins safe:
- Always make sure to download any app from their official website to avoid any potential security issues.
For Blue wallet you can start here:
https://bluewallet.io which will redirect you to the appropriate app store for your device.
- If security is your top priority I recommend looking into LoyceV's guidance on <Offline and running without hard drive storage> as this's one of the safest options available to minimize exposure to online threats.
- You may want to generate a new paper wallet from
https://www.bitaddress.org for testing purposes this allows you to experiment with giving options using the test keys before proceeding with your actual key.
- Make sure to read up on the wallet you choose including details about the types of keys and formats it supports this will help you avoid any issues when importing or accessing your funds.
- Check reviews and community feedback on the wallet app you want to use this can give you additional insights into its reliability and performance.
- Before you transfer a large amount of Bitcoin it’s wise to conduct a small test transaction this way you can confirm everything works smoothly without risking your full balance.
Ultimately, it’s about finding an option that suits your needs best so take your time researching and evaluating what each wallet offers.
Feel free to ask if you have more questions