Fix wallet import issues in Phantom

Tip: Phantom has a new look on mobile. For an overview of changes, see What's new in Phantom.

If you're having trouble importing a wallet into Phantom, this article may help. 

Recovery phrase not working

You may see one of these messages when importing your Secret Recovery Phrase:

• "Invalid secret recovery phrase"
• "Phrase needs to be at least 12 words"
• "Word 1 is incorrect or misspelled"
• "Incorrect format"

These messages usually mean one or more words are incorrect. A recovery phrase must:

• Contain exactly 12 or 24 words.
• Be entered in the correct order.
• Use correct spelling. You can verify spelling using the BIP-39 English word list.
• In the mobile app, have one space between each word. In the browser extension, one word in each cell.

Words are correct but import still fails

If you've verified spelling, order, and spacing but the import still fails, check where the wallet was originally created.

Some wallet apps, such as MetaMask, Trust Wallet, or Solflare, generate accounts using different derivation paths. In that case:

• Try importing the private key instead, if available.
• Re-export the recovery phrase from the original app if you still have access.
• If Phantom can't derive the same accounts, you may need to continue using the original app for those accounts.

If the recovery phrase is correct and Phantom supports that wallet's derivation path, the expected accounts appear after import.

Recovery phrase rejected by another app

Some trading platforms and tools, such as Axiom or Padre, require a private key rather than a recovery phrase. If your Phantom recovery phrase is rejected on one of these platforms, this is usually why.

Only export a private key if you trust the platform and understand why it needs direct account access.

1. To export your private key from Phantom, follow the instructions in View your recovery phrase or private keys in Phantom.
2. Once exported, paste the private key into the third-party platform.

Note: EVM networks (Ethereum, Base, Polygon, Monad, HyperEVM) share the same private key. Solana, Bitcoin, and Sui each have their own. If you're unsure which network the platform uses, check its documentation before exporting.

Private key not working

Make sure you're selecting the correct network when importing a private key. Selecting the wrong network causes an "Incorrect format" error.

Accounts are missing after importing

Missing accounts are often still recoverable. In many cases the wallet imported successfully, but not every account was added automatically.

Wallets created with a Google or Apple account or a Secret Recovery Phrase

When importing a wallet created with a Google or Apple account, Phantom restores only your first account automatically. Any other accounts with onchain activities, you need to add manually.

When importing a recovery phrase, Phantom restores accounts with onchain activity (sends, receives, or swaps) from oldest to newest. Accounts with no balance or transaction history may not appear automatically.

1. To add missing accounts, follow these steps in Add accounts to Phantom after initial setup.
2. Repeat until all expected accounts appear.
3. If accounts still don't appear, reset Phantom following the steps in Reset the Phantom app.

If accounts still don't appear after a reset:

• This may not be the recovery phrase for the wallet you expected.
• The wallet may use a derivation path Phantom doesn't support.

Accounts imported using a private key

Accounts imported using private keys don't reappear automatically. Re-import each one individually following the steps in Import an existing wallet into Phantom.

Ledger wallet

Ledger accounts don't reappear automatically. Reconnect your Ledger wallet to restore them by following the steps in these guides:

• Use a Ledger wallet with the Phantom browser extension
• Use a Ledger wallet with the Phantom mobile app

Seeing accounts you don't recognize

If you import a recovery phrase and see unfamiliar accounts, one of the following is likely:

• The recovery phrase is different. Recovery phrases are cryptographically exact. Even a single incorrect word generates a completely different wallet.
• The wallet generated accounts differently. Some apps create accounts in ways Phantom can't replicate.

To find out which applies, try the following:

1. Import the same recovery phrase into the app originally used, such as MetaMask, Solflare, or Backpack.
2. Check whether your expected accounts appear there.

If the accounts appear in the original app but not in Phantom, you may need to continue using that app for those accounts.

If the accounts don't appear in the original app either, the recovery phrase isn't the one you expected.

Lost access after switching phones

If your wallet appears in watch-only mode after switching phones, see Migrate Phantom to a new phone for steps to restore access.