Understanding Wallet Watcher and resolving view-only issues in Phantom

Phantom wallet includes a feature called Wallet Watcher, which lets you add any wallet as a view-only account so you can track its activity. View-only wallets do not support actions like buy, sell, or swap. To perform transactions, you must import the wallet using its original secret recovery phrase or private key.

If your wallet unexpectedly becomes view-only, it likely means it was added as a watch address instead of being fully imported. Below, you’ll learn how to use Wallet Watcher and how to restore full access to your wallet if needed.

How to use Wallet Watcher

Wallet Watcher lets you monitor the activity of friends, traders, and public wallets by adding them as view-only accounts.

You can track wallets across Solana, EVM-compatible chains (Ethereum, Base, Polygon, Sui, Monad), and Bitcoin. Wallet Watcher also supports addresses linked to domain names from Bonfida, AllDomains, ENS Domains, and Unstoppable Domains.

Get started with Wallet Watcher

1. Open Phantom and go to Settings.
2. Select Manage Accounts.
3. Select Add Wallet on mobile or Add / Connect Wallet in the extension.
4. Select Watch Address.

The wallet will now appear in your account list as a view-only wallet.

Restore full access to your wallet

If your wallet is in view-only mode and you want to restore full access:

1. Open Phantom and go to Settings.
2. Select Manage Accounts.
3. Check how the wallet was added. If it has the eye symbol (👁️) next to it, it is a view-only wallet.
4. To regain access, you need to fully import the wallet:
   1. On mobile, select Add Wallet > Import Recovery Phrase or Import Private Key.
   2. In the extension, select Add / Connect Wallet > Import Recovery Phrase or Import Private Key.

Note: Phantom is a non-custodial wallet and can't recover your seed phrase. If you no longer have it, you won’t be able to regain access to the wallet.

Remove a wallet from Wallet Watcher

To remove a view-only wallet:

1. Open Phantom and go to Settings.
2. Select Manage Accounts.
3. Select the wallet you want to remove.
4. Select Delete.

FAQ

Can I perform transactions from a wallet added via Wallet Watcher?

No. Wallet Watcher is view-only. You can’t send or receive funds until you import the wallet with its seed phrase or private key.

Can I watch multiple wallets at once?

Yes. You can add as many wallets as you like to your Wallet Watcher list.

Why did my wallet suddenly become “watch-only”?

This usually happens when the wallet was added as a watch address instead of being fully imported. Your funds aren’t affected.

Can Phantom restore access to my wallet if I lost my seed phrase?

No. Phantom doesn’t store seed phrases or private keys. Without your recovery phrase, access cannot be restored.