---
name: "cryptsetup-luksHeaderBackup"
section: "8"
platform: "linux"
package: "cryptsetup"
version: "2.8.8-1"
release: "Arch Linux 2026-11-01"
platforms: ["linux"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/cryptsetup-luksHeaderBackup"
---

# cryptsetup-luksHeaderBackup(8)

store a binary backup of the LUKS header and keyslot area

## NAME

cryptsetup-luksHeaderBackup - store a binary backup of the LUKS header and keyslot area

## SYNOPSIS

**cryptsetup** *luksHeaderBackup* **--header-backup-file \<file\> \[\<options\>\] \<device\>**

## DESCRIPTION

*Stores a binary backup of the LUKS header and keyslot area.*

*Using '-' as a filename writes the header backup to a file named '-'.*

*The backup file and a passphrase valid at the time of backup allow decryption of the LUKS data area, even if the passphrase was later changed or removed from the LUKS device.* *Note that with a header backup, you lose the ability to wipe the LUKS device securely by just overwriting the header and keyslots.* *You must either securely erase all header backups or overwrite the encrypted data area.*

**\<options\>** *can be \[--header, --header-backup-file, --disable-locks\].*

## OPTIONS

**--batch-mode***,* **-q**

*Suppresses all confirmation questions.* *Use with care!*

*If the --verify-passphrase option is not specified, this option also switches off the passphrase verification.*

**--debug** *or* **--debug-json**

*Run in debug mode with full diagnostic logs.* *Debug output lines are always prefixed by* **#***.*

*If --debug-json is used, additional LUKS2 JSON data structures are printed.*

- **--disable-locks**

  *Disable lock protection for metadata on disk.* *This option is valid only for LUKS2 and is ignored for other formats.*

  **WARNING:** *Do not use this option unless you run cryptsetup in a restricted environment where locking is impossible to perform (where /run directory cannot be used).*

**--header** *\<device or file storing the LUKS header\>*

*Use a detached (separated) metadata device or file where the LUKS header is stored.* *This option allows one to store the ciphertext and LUKS header on different devices.*

*For commands that change the LUKS header (e.g., luksAddKey), specify the device or file with the LUKS header directly as the LUKS device.*

**--header-backup-file** *file*

*Specify a file with the header backup file.*

**--help***,* **-?**

*Show help text and default parameters.*

- **--usage**

  *Show short option help.*

**--version***,* **-V**

*Show the program version.*

## REPORTING BUGS

*Report bugs at* *cryptsetup mailing list \<cryptsetup@lists.linux.dev\>* *or in* *Issues project section \<https://gitlab.com/cryptsetup/cryptsetup/-/issues/new\>.*

*Please attach the output of the failed command with --debug option added.*

## SEE ALSO

*Cryptsetup FAQ \<https://gitlab.com/cryptsetup/cryptsetup/wikis/FrequentlyAskedQuestions\>*

**cryptsetup***(8),* **integritysetup***(8) and* **veritysetup***(8)*

## CRYPTSETUP

*Part of* *cryptsetup project \<https://gitlab.com/cryptsetup/cryptsetup/\>.*