Is a local Bitcoin wallet file somehow independent? Migrate from/to Electrum?

[thoste]

I am using Electrum since a longer time and I am satisfied with it.
However I am thinking about a situation users want/need to migrate his other BTC client from/to Electrum.

Is there a way to access the own wallet somehow with another Bitcoin tool?

In other words is the electrum wallet file (not software) GUI/software independent?

This question arises for the other direction as well:

Can I open wallets created with other BTC clients with Electrum too?

What If a user wants to migrate from one BTC GUI client to another?

[Charles-Tim]

Electrum supports import of BIP39 seed phrase but most wallet does not support Electrum seed phrase

You can always use Electrum to access your coins. But Bluewallet is also compatible with Electrum seed phrase.

You can always use Electrum to access the your Electrum wallet file. But you can also use Sparrow wallet to access your Electrum wallet file.

[BitMaxz]

Can I open wallets created with other BTC clients with Electrum too?

You can, but the problem is if you import its master keys to other wallets or BTC clients, you are exposing it to an online machine, and having multiple clients with a single seed can compromise your wallet in anyway because of too much exposure. That's too risky. It would be better if you want to use Electrum, then just generate your wallet in Electrum, or if you are using other Bitcoin wallet/clients then generate your wallet on that wallet to avoid more exposure.

What If a user wants to migrate from one BTC GUI client to another?

For me, for safety and to avoid much exposure, instead of importing the backup seed to another wallet, then sweeping would be the best option, or sending all your funds to the new wallet in another wallet that you want.

[nc50lc]

In other words is the electrum wallet file (not software) GUI/software independent?

No, it will only work in Electrum.
It has its specific format and encryption algorithm that will only work in Electrum or clients that specifically designed to import it.
For the latter, Sparrow can import its keystore but it has to be Standard / MultiSig and not 2fa wallet (and for some reason, it has to be encrypted)

Can I open wallets created with other BTC clients with Electrum too?

No, there's no defined standard on bitcoin clients' wallet file's file structure or database.
Every wallet developer used/created what they prefer.

What If a user wants to migrate from one BTC GUI client to another?

The desktop GUI has a hidden console tab which can be used to export what the GUI menus can't. (e.g.: master private key)
If you're limited to the menus, then your addresses' private keys are good enough, and as mentioned by others, some wallets support Electrum's seed phase.
But the best way to migrate is to "send max" to the other wallet if you still have access to Electrum.

[pooya87]

Generally speaking when it comes to files created by a certain wallet software can only be opened and read with that software. Although there may exist other tools on the internet (usually on Github) where a developer has written the code to be able to read that specific wallet file. So in case some day the wallet software stopped being developed (like Multibit) you can find such tools since something like Electrum is open source.