A seed phrase is the master key to every account your wallet can derive—lose the words and you lose the wallet; share them and you hand someone else the keys.
Quick answer
A seed phrase (also called a recovery phrase or secret words) is a list of 12 or 24 words that recreates your private keys. In a non-custodial wallet like My Wallet, you hold those words. My Wallet never stores your seed phrase on its servers. Official support will never ask for it.
Why a seed phrase exists
Blockchains do not have “forgot password” buttons. Your wallet generates a seed phrase when you create it, then derives addresses and private keys from that phrase. Anyone with the phrase can restore the same wallet on another device and move funds.
Think of it like this: the app on your phone is the door handle. The seed phrase is the only spare key that works on every door that came from that keyring.
12 words vs 24 words
Both lengths are designed to be strong when generated correctly. In My Wallet, new wallets are created with a 12-word seed phrase by default (previously 24). That is a convenience change—12-word and 24-word phrases are equally reliable for recovery. When you import, you can still enter either length.
What matters more than word count: you wrote the words in the right order, you can read them later, and nobody else has a copy.
What a seed phrase is not
- It is not your password or Face ID. Those unlock the app on one device.
- It is not your public address (the string you share to receive crypto).
- It is not something support, influencers, or “recovery services” need from you.
- It is not safe as a photo in your camera roll on the same phone you use for the wallet.
How to store a seed phrase (practical options)
Help Center guidance, simplified:
| Method | Verdict |
|---|---|
| Screenshot or photo on the phone that runs your wallet | Unsafe—do not |
| Screenshot on a different device | Still weak |
| Password manager | Convenient; use only if you understand the risk |
| Offline digital storage (encrypted, air-gapped) | Strong |
| Paper in a secure place | Strong if protected from fire, water, and curious eyes |
Offline backup first. Write the words on paper (or another offline medium), check spelling and order, then store them where only you can reach them. Periodically confirm you can still read the backup—before you need it in a panic.
For step-by-step storage tips in the product docs, see What is a seed phrase? How to store a seed phrase?.
Concrete mistakes that empty wallets
- Camera-roll backup. Cloud photo sync turns one leak into many.
- Typing words into a website or “support” chat. Phishing pages are built for this.
- Voice notes or screenshots shared in Telegram. Forwarded once is enough.
- One copy only, then a flood or a move. Have a plan for paper damage.
- Trusting anyone who says they can “verify” your wallet with the phrase. Real support never needs it.
Send this to a friend new to crypto: if someone asks for your 12 words, the conversation is already a scam.
Seed phrase vs private key (one line)
The seed phrase is the root. Private keys for individual accounts are derived from it. Protecting the phrase protects every account that grows from that root. For the per-account key, see What is a private key?.
How this works in My Wallet
- When you create a wallet, My Wallet shows your secret words so you can back them up.
- When you import, you enter those words to restore access—My Wallet does not keep a server-side copy.
- You can view your backup later from the app’s security / backup settings (exact labels can vary by platform)—never while screen-sharing with a stranger.
Next steps: How to back up your wallet and How to import a seed phrase.
Download My Wallet
Download My Wallet for self-custody: you hold the seed phrase, and My Wallet never stores it.
FAQ
Can I change my seed phrase?
No. A new seed means a new wallet. Move funds to a freshly created wallet if you believe the old phrase was exposed.
What if I lose my seed phrase but still have the app unlocked?
Back up immediately while you still have access. If you log out or lose the device without a backup, the funds are not recoverable.
Does My Wallet know my seed phrase?
No. My Wallet is non-custodial: the phrase stays with you. That is why support cannot “reset” it for you.
Is a 12-word phrase safe enough?
Yes when generated by the wallet and kept secret. Do not invent your own words. Do not shorten or reorder them.
Will official support ask for my seed phrase?
No. @mysupport and official channels will never ask for your seed phrase. Anyone who does is a scammer—see How to avoid crypto phishing scams.