What Is a Seed Phrase? How to Store Your Recovery Phrase Safely
A seed phrase is 12 or 24 words that give full access to a crypto wallet. Whoever knows the phrase owns the coins. Here's how to store it and how to keep it away from scammers.
What it is
A seed phrase (also called a recovery phrase or mnemonic phrase) is a set of 12 or 24 English words in a strict order. All of the wallet's private keys are derived from it. If you lose your phone or your device breaks, the phrase lets you restore the wallet on any other device.
The flip side: anyone who sees the phrase can take all your coins, and the transfer can't be reversed.
How to store it
- Write it down by hand on paper and keep it in a secure place, ideally two.
- For large amounts, use a metal plate that won't burn or get soaked.
- Test your backup: restore the wallet from it before you put money in.
What not to do
- Photos on your phone, notes apps, the cloud, email, messengers.
- Entering the phrase on websites "for verification," "for syncing," or "to claim an airdrop."
- Sharing it with "support." Real support will never ask for your seed phrase.
Being asked to enter your phrase is the most common sign of a crypto scam. Other schemes are covered in the lesson how to avoid scams and in the article about fake airdrops. Securing your exchange account is covered in the article how to secure your account.
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- Seed phrase = full access to your coins.
- Paper or metal only, no photos and no cloud.
- Never enter the phrase anywhere for anyone, except to restore your own wallet.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does an exchange account have a seed phrase?
No. On an exchange, the exchange itself manages the keys, and you protect your account with a password and two-factor authentication. Seed phrases come with non-custodial wallets.
What should I do if someone saw my phrase?
Immediately create a new wallet with a new phrase and move all your coins there. Consider the old wallet compromised.
Can a forgotten phrase be recovered?
No. Neither the developers nor support know it. Without the phrase, access to the wallet is lost forever.
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