How to manage view-only accounts in Phantom

A view-only account lets you follow an address in Phantom—without having access to the private key or recovery phrase. You can check balances and transaction history, but you won’t be able to move funds from that account.

In this article, you’ll learn how to manage view-only accounts, and what to do if you want to restore full access.

About view-only accounts

View-only accounts are designed for tracking. They’re a good option when you want to monitor an address you don’t control—like a friend’s wallet, a trader’s public address, or a wallet you’re watching for payments.

In Phantom, this feature is part of Wallet Watcher. When you add an address this way, Phantom saves it for viewing only and marks it with an eye icon so you can tell it apart from accounts you fully control.

A view-only account is typically added when:

• You choose Watch Address instead of importing the wallet
• You add a public address on a supported network.

Add a view-only account

Browser extension

1. Click your profile avatar in the upper-left corner.
2. Click Add Account (plus icon) in the lower-left corner.
3. Click Watch Address.
4. Choose the network.
5. Enter a name and paste the wallet address.
6. Click Import.

Mobile app

1. Tap your profile avatar in the upper-left corner.
2. Tap Add Account.
3. Tap Watch Address.
4. Choose the network.
5. Enter a name and paste the wallet address.
6. Tap Import.

The account will appear in your account list with an eye symbol and a “You’re watching this account” message at the top.

Remove a view-only account

Browser extension

1. Click your profile avatar in the upper-left corner.
2. Click Manage Accounts (pencil icon) in the lower-left corner.
3. Select the account.
4. Click Remove Account.

Mobile app

1. Tap your profile avatar in the upper-left corner.
2. Tap the pencil icon next to the account.
3. Tap Remove Account.

Restore full access to your view-only account

If your account is in view-only mode and you want to restore full access, follow these steps in either the mobile app or browser extension:

1. Select your profile avatar in the upper-left corner.
2. If you see an eye symbol next to the account, it’s a view-only account.
3. Select the wallet, and a banner "You're watching this account" will appear.
4. To import the wallet and regain full access:
   • Browser extension:
     1. Click your account avatar in the upper-left corner.
     2. Click Add Account (plus icon) in the lower-left corner.
     3. Click Import Recovery Phrase or Import Private Key.
   • Mobile app:
     1. Tap your account avatar in the upper-left corner.
     2. Tap Add Account at the bottom.
     3. Tap Import Recovery Phrase or Import Private Key.

Important: Phantom is a non-custodial wallet. If you no longer have your recovery phrase, you won’t be able to restore access.

FAQ

Can I send or receive crypto from a view-only account?

No. You must import the wallet using its recovery phrase or private key to send or receive funds.

Can I add multiple view-only accounts?

Yes. You can add as many view-only accounts as you like.

Why did my account suddenly become view-only?

This usually happens when the address was added for viewing only instead of being fully imported in the first place.