Keeping your 12-word secret recovery phrase safe is crucial to always have access to your crypto.
Your secret recovery phrase lets you restore your wallet and funds on another device. This ensures you'll always have access to your funds, even if your device is broken, lost, or stolen.
Need a crypto wallet that gives you complete control of your assets? You can download Exodus here.
In this article:
Why is it important to back up my wallet?
You should back up your wallet by writing down your 12-word secret recovery phrase so that you never lose access to your funds.
You only need to back up your wallet once. As long as you have access to your backup, you can always restore your wallet, no matter what happens to your device.
Back up your wallet in a private location where no one can see your screen, and don't back up your wallet when your device is connected to a public WiFi connection.
To learn more about the 12-word secret recovery phrase, visit: Everything you need to know about your 12-word secret recovery phrase.
In Exodus Mobile, you can also back up your wallet by storing an encrypted version of your secret recovery phrase with iCloud or Google Drive and protecting it with a passkey. To learn more, visit: How do I back up my wallet with iCloud or Google Drive?
What happens if I get a new device?
If you get a new phone or computer, your wallet won't automatically transfer to the new device after downloading Exodus again.
You'll need to restore your previous wallet to use it on a new device.
If you've backed up your secret recovery phrase, then you can restore your previous wallet with it.
For more information on how to restore your wallet, either in case you lost access to it or just got a new device, visit: What happens if I lose access to my wallet?
On iOS, your Exodus app's iCloud backup might contain your secret recovery phrase. If someone gets access to your device, they could use it to access your iCloud backup and get access to your Exodus wallet and funds. To avoid this, delete old Exodus app iCloud backups by following Apple's guide: Manage your iCloud storage.
Before deleting, ensure you have written down your 12-word secret recovery phrase.
If you've backed up Exodus with iCloud, your backup file and passkey are stored in your iCloud account. Don't delete your backup file or passkey. You'll not be able to restore with iCloud if you delete them. Only delete old Exodus app iCloud backups.
What’s the difference between my password and 12-word secret recovery phrase?
While your password and secret recovery phrase may seem to have similar functions, they serve very different purposes.
Your secret recovery phrase is your master key, and your wallet is directly derived from it. The secret recovery phrase is all you need to restore your wallet.
Your password protects your Exodus wallet and the local data on your device. It can't restore your wallet or impact how your secret recovery phrase works.
For example, if someone steals your device, your password adds an extra layer of security, as the attacker can't open your wallet to view your secret recovery phrase or steal your funds without the password.
However, if the attacker gets access to your secret recovery phrase, they could access your wallet even without the password. This is why it is so important to keep your secret recovery phrase safe: How do I keep my money safe?
Do I have to back up my wallet every time it updates?
No, if you already backed up your Exodus wallet, you don't need to do it again.
As long as you have access to your backup, you can always restore your wallet, no matter what happens to your device.
How do I back up my wallet and write down my 12-word secret recovery phrase?
Mobile
In Exodus Mobile, a) tap the Profile icon, then b) tap Settings.
Tap Backups.
Tap Secret Phrase.
If you instead wish to back up your secret recovery phrase with iCloud or Google Drive, visit: How do I back up my wallet with iCloud or Google Drive?
Make sure no one is around to see your 12-word secret recovery phrase, then a) check the box to confirm that you understand the risks of sharing your secret phrase, and b) tap View Secret Phrase.
We recommend writing down your 12-word secret recovery phrase on more than one piece of paper, and keeping the copies in separate secure locations. This will prevent a single point of loss from events like fires, floods, etc.
Your secret recovery phrase generates all your wallet’s addresses and private keys, so it's crucial to keep it safe
Do not store your secret recovery phrase as an unencrypted digital copy, because it's possible for hackers to access digital information like text files and screenshots. Learn more about how to keep your crypto safe.
To see your 12-word secret recovery phrase, a) press and hold your finger on the Press and Hold to Reveal button. Once you have written it down, b) tap Done.
Next, to check your backup, you will receive a question about your secret recovery phrase. a) Choose the correct answer, then b) tap Done.
Now that you have your secret recovery phrase secure, it is time to add a passcode to lock your wallet. In the Security menu, toggle on Secure with a Passcode.
Create your passcode and re-enter it to confirm. This will enable your passcode on Exodus Mobile.
And that's it! You only have to go through the backup process once! As long as you have your 12-word secret recovery phrase safe, you won't lose access to your funds.
If you would like to set up Face ID on an iOS device, or Touch ID on an Android device, you can visit: How do I secure my wallet with Face ID or Touch ID?
Video tutorial: How do I back up my mobile wallet?
Desktop
In Exodus Desktop, click the Settings icon in the top right corner.
a) Click the Backup tab. b) Enter a strong, secret, and unique password, and c) click Next.
Make sure your Exodus wallet password is not the same or similar to any other password you have ever used! We recommend using a password manager to create your password, as they can generate highly random and strong passwords for you as well as store them.
If you forget or lose your password, no one can recover or reset it for you. You can only reset your password with your secret recovery phrase.
a) Re-enter your password and b) click Next.
a) Check the box to confirm you understand the risks of sharing your secret phrase, then b) click View secret phrase.
a) Check the box to show your secret recovery phrase and then write it down in the correct order. Double-check that they are spelled correctly. When you are finished writing down the secret recovery phrase, put it in a secure place that only you can access and b) click Done.
We recommend writing down your 12-word secret recovery phrase on more than one piece of paper, and keeping the copies in separate secure locations. This will prevent a single point of loss from events like fires, floods, etc.
Your secret recovery phrase generates all your wallet’s addresses and private keys, so it's crucial to keep it safe
Do not store your secret recovery phrase as an unencrypted digital copy, because it's possible for hackers to access digital information like text files and screenshots. Learn more about how to keep your crypto safe.
Next, a) read the verification question carefully, b) select the correct answer, and c) click Done.
And that's it! You only have to go through this process once.
Video tutorial: How do I back up my desktop wallet?
Web3 Wallet
In Exodus Web3 Wallet, a) click the Profile icon, then b) click Security.
Click Back Up.
a) Check the box to confirm you understand the risks of sharing your secret phrase. Next, b) enter your password, and c) click View Secret Phrase.
You can now view your 12-word secret recovery phrase by clicking Reveal secret recovery phrase. Write down your secret recovery phrase and store it in a secure place to you always have access to your funds. Be sure to double-check that the words have been written down in the correct order and that every word is spelled correctly.
We recommend writing down your 12-word secret recovery phrase at least twice, and keeping copies in separate secure locations. This will prevent a single point of loss from events like fires, floods, etc.
Your secret recovery phrase generates all your wallet’s addresses and private keys, so it's crucial to keep it safe
Do not store your secret recovery phrase as an unencrypted digital copy, because it's possible for hackers to access digital information like text files and screenshots. Learn more about how to keep your crypto safe.
After you have written down your 12-word secret recovery phrase, click Next.
To confirm that you've written down the correct secret recovery phrase, a) choose the correct word, then b) tap Next.
And that's it! You only have to go through the backup process once. As long as you have your 12-word secret recovery phrase safe, you won't lose access to your funds.