A view-only account lets you follow an address without having access to its private key or recovery phrase. You can check balances and transaction history, but you can't move funds.
About view-only accounts
View-only accounts are useful for tracking addresses 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 called Wallet Watcher. When you add an address this way, Phantom marks it with an eye icon so you can tell it apart from accounts you fully control.
Add a view-only account
Browser extension
- Click your profile avatar in the upper-left corner.
- Click Add Account (plus icon) in the lower-left corner.
- Click Watch Address.
- Choose the network.
- Enter a name and paste the wallet address.
- Click Import.
Mobile app
- Tap your profile avatar in the upper-left corner.
- Tap Add Account.
- Tap Watch Address.
- Choose the network.
- Enter a name and paste the wallet address.
- Tap Import.
The account appears in your account list with an eye icon and a “You’re watching this account” banner.
Remove a view-only account
Browser extension
- Click your profile avatar in the upper-left corner.
- Click Manage Accounts (pencil icon) in the lower-left corner.
- Select the account.
- Click Remove Account.
Mobile app
- Tap your profile avatar in the upper-left corner.
- Tap the pencil icon next to the account.
- Tap Remove Account.
Restore full access to your view-only account
If you have the recovery phrase or private key for a view-only account, you can import it for full access.
Browser extension
- Click your profile avatar in the upper left.
- Click Add Account (plus icon) in the lower left.
- Click Import Recovery Phrase or Import Private Key.
Mobile app
- Tap your profile avatar in the upper left.
- Tap Add Account.
- Tap Import Recovery Phrase or Import Private Key.
Note: Phantom is non-custodial. If you no longer have your recovery phrase, you can't restore full 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.
Can I add multiple view-only accounts?
Yes.
Why did my account suddenly become view-only?
The address was added for viewing only instead of being fully imported.