What a seed phrase is
A seed phrase is a list of common words that a non-custodial wallet creates when it is set up. Non-custodial means the holder, not a company, controls the keys. The words can rebuild every key the wallet holds, so anyone who has them can move the funds.
Access to an ordinary online account can usually be restored through the provider, but a lost seed phrase cannot. Losing the phrase without another copy means losing access for good. For this reason the phrase matters more than any other credential you hold. Understanding custody first makes the rest of this guide easier to follow.
Before you start
A few checks come before any writing. Each check prevents a common mistake that costs holders access or exposes the phrase.
- Confirm that the wallet is self-custody. A custodial account holds the keys for you and never shows a phrase.
- Pick a private room with no open cameras, smart speakers or onlookers.
- Gather a pen, paper, a metal plate or whichever medium you plan to use.
Storing it step by step
Work through these steps in order, and do not skip the final check. Each step protects the one before it.
- Write each word on paper in the exact order the wallet shows it.
- Read the full list back and confirm that every word matches the screen.
- Store the paper in a dry, secure place away from the device that holds the wallet.
- Make another copy on a more durable material, such as a metal plate, and keep it apart from the paper copy.
- Close the wallet and clear any screenshots, clipboard entries or drafts that might hold the words.
- Test recovery, following the steps below, before you rely on the stored copies.
Offline options, splitting and where not to keep it
Paper is the usual starting point. It needs no power and no software, but it can burn, fade or be damaged by water. Metal holds up better against fire and water, which suits holders who want a copy that lasts for years.
Splitting the phrase is a method some holders use, but it adds complexity. A missing part can block recovery entirely, and a partly exposed phrase still weakens security. Split only if you understand exactly how the parts combine.
Never type the phrase into a web form, a message or any app other than the wallet you are restoring, even when the request looks official. Avoid storing it in email, cloud drives, a photo on a phone, a notes app or any file on a computer. Each of these can be read by someone who gets into that account or device.
Testing recovery and the passphrase extension
Recovery testing shows whether the stored words actually work. Restore the wallet on another device or a fresh install, using only the paper or metal copy. Check that the address it shows matches the address from the original wallet before you move anything.
Treat the stored copies as a backup, and repeat the test after any change to your setup. Recovery steps differ between wallets, so follow the provider's own documentation for each.
A passphrase is an optional extra word or phrase added on top of the seed phrase. Some wallets offer it, and the details vary. With a passphrase, the same words open a different set of keys, so losing it means losing access even with the full phrase in hand. Keep the passphrase apart from the words, and test it in the same recovery run.
What to do if it fails
If the test does not match, stop and do not move funds. Compare each word with the original copy for spelling, order and any smudged letters before trying again.
If the words still fail, check the provider's own documentation for recovery steps. Never share the words with anyone who asks, including people who claim to be from the provider.
Scams often arrive as urgent messages or fake help lines. A legitimate provider does not ask for the seed phrase.
Where this matters when choosing a provider
How a provider handles the seed phrase is part of the choice. Look at whether the wallet creates the phrase on your own device and whether it explains the storage steps clearly. Plain, clear guidance on storage is worth weighing.
Hardware wallets and software wallets differ in where the keys live, but both produce a phrase that needs the same careful offline storage. Compare the options in a guide to choosing wallets, or look at hardware wallet comparisons, before you decide.
Crypto assets can lose value and protections vary by country, so match the storage method to what you hold. Keep the phrase under your own control, not with the provider.