Understanding Your Recovery Phrase
Your 24-word recovery phrase is the master key to all your cryptocurrency. Learn how to protect it properly.
Critical Security Warning
Anyone who has access to your recovery phrase can steal all your funds. There is no way to reverse this or get your funds back. Treat your recovery phrase like cash - if someone gets it, it's gone forever.
What Is a Recovery Phrase?
Your recovery phrase is a sequence of 24 randomly generated words from a standardized list of 2,048 words (BIP39 standard). This phrase mathematically represents your private keys and can restore access to all your accounts.
Do's and Don'ts
What You Should Do
Write on the Recovery Sheet
Use the physical Recovery Sheet provided with your device
Store in a Safe Place
Keep it in a fireproof safe or safety deposit box
Make Multiple Copies
Create 2-3 copies and store them in different secure locations
Use Steel Backup
Consider metal backup solutions for maximum durability
Keep Order Precise
The exact sequence of words is critical for recovery
Tell Trusted Person Where It Is
Ensure your family knows where to find it in case of emergency
What You Should Never Do
Never Take a Photo
Digital photos can be hacked, leaked, or backed up to the cloud
Never Store on Computer
No text files, cloud storage, password managers, or email
Never Share with Anyone
No support team will ever ask for your recovery phrase
Never Type It Online
Phishing sites can steal your phrase if you enter it on fake websites
Don't Store with Device
Keep your recovery phrase separate from your hardware wallet
Never Send via Message
No email, text, chat, or any form of electronic communication
Common Scenarios
I lost my device. Can I recover my funds?
Yes! As long as you have your 24-word recovery phrase, you can restore your accounts on a new device. This is exactly what the recovery phrase is for.
I lost my recovery phrase. What should I do?
If your device still works, immediately transfer all funds to a new wallet with a properly backed-up recovery phrase. If you've lost both the device and phrase, your funds are permanently lost.
Should I test my recovery phrase?
Yes! Before adding significant funds, you should test recovery on a second device or by resetting your device. This confirms your backup is correct.
Can I split my phrase between locations?
Advanced users can use Shamir Secret Sharing to split phrases, but for most people, keeping 2-3 complete copies in different secure locations is safer and simpler.