Create a wallet with a recovery phrase

You can create a wallet in Phantom using a 12-word recovery phrase, sometimes called a seed phrase. This type of wallet is sometimes called a seed-phrase wallet.

During setup, Phantom shows you your recovery phrase once. Save it somewhere secure and offline. You’ll need it to restore your wallet on a new device or after resetting the app.

Browser extension

1. Download Phantom from phantom.com/download.
2. Click Create a new wallet → Create a seed phrase wallet.
3. Create a password. This password unlocks Phantom only in your current browser and doesn’t replace your PIN. Your password must be at least 8 characters. Special characters and numbers are optional but recommended.
4. Click Continue.
5. When presented with a recovery phrase, write it down and store it securely offline. This is your only backup option.
6. Click Continue.
7. Create a Phantom username.

Warning: Phantom can't restore your recovery phrase if it's lost. Don't share it with anyone, including Phantom Support.

Mobile app

1. Download Phantom from phantom.com/download.
2. Tap Create a new wallet → Create a seed phrase wallet.
3. Turn on device authentication (Face ID, fingerprint, or passcode). This unlocks Phantom only on your current device and doesn’t replace your PIN.
4. View your recovery phrase. Write it down and store it securely offline. This is your only backup option.
5. Tap OK, I saved it somewhere, then tap Yes to confirm.
6. Create a Phantom username.
7. Tap Get started.

Warning: Phantom can't restore your recovery phrase if it's lost. Don't share it with anyone, including Phantom Support.

Common issues

See Fix wallet login issues.

FAQ

Does Phantom use a 12-word or 24-word recovery phrase?

Wallets created in Phantom use a 12-word recovery phrase. If you’re importing a 24-word recovery phrase, that wallet wasn’t originally created in Phantom.

Can Phantom restore my recovery phrase if I lose it?

No. Phantom doesn’t store your recovery phrase. If you lose it, there’s no way to restore it. Back it up right after you create your wallet.

Can I change my recovery phrase?

No. You can't change any part of a recovery phrase.

Can I use my recovery phrase in another app?

Yes. Recovery phrases follow an open standard, so you can import the same phrase into other wallets that support it. Your accounts and balances appear as long as the wallet supports the same networks. For details, see View your recovery phrase or private key in Phantom.