Learn how to restore an overwritten Exodus Mobile or Desktop wallet if you have access to an archived backup of your Exodus wallet.
It is not possible to rescue an overwritten wallet on Exodus Web3 Wallet. The only way to regain access to an overwritten Web3 Wallet is to restore your wallet with the 12-word secret key.
In this article:
What is an overwritten wallet?
If you have overwritten your Exodus wallet, it means you have replaced your wallet's 12-word secret key with a different secret key.
For example, if you restored a wallet with a different 12-word secret key, or synced your wallets, then the new wallet that you restored or synced with will overwrite the original wallet you had.
Can I rescue my overwritten wallet?
In Exodus Mobile and Desktop, if you have overwritten your wallet by restoring a wallet with a different 12-word secret key or syncing another Exodus wallet to your current wallet, Exodus will archive the old wallet data, including the secret key of the old wallet that you have overwritten.
If you need to recover an overwritten wallet and you don't have access to your secret key, you might be able to use the archived wallet data to recover your wallet.
However, in the case that you do have access to your secret key, follow this guide instead to restore your wallet: How do I restore from my 12-word secret key?
Recovering an overwritten Exodus wallet from archived wallet data is only possible when the old wallet data hasn’t been permanently erased.
Formatting your mobile or desktop device or uninstalling Exodus will permanently delete any archived wallet data, and without them, it won't be possible to recover your overwritten wallet using this guide.
On Exodus Web3 Wallet, the only way to regain access to an overwritten Web3 Wallet is to restore your wallet with the 12-word secret key.
Exodus Desktop wallet backup data will only be kept for 90 days after overwriting them.
How do I rescue an overwritten wallet?
If you still have access to the old wallet data, then here's how you can rescue your wallet if you've accidentally overwritten it and don't have access to your secret key.
In the case that you have access to your secret key, then follow this guide instead to restore your wallet: How do I restore from my 12-word secret key?
If you would like help to rescue your wallet, please contact Exodus Support by sending an email to [email protected] or visiting the messenger (purple chat icon in the bottom-right corner) to start a chat.
Restoring an overwritten wallet with archived wallet data should only be seen as a last resort to rescue your wallet. It is not intended to be the standard method for wallet backups and recovery. For information on how to back up your Exodus wallet, visit: How do I always have access to my wallet with my 12-word secret key?
Mobile
Recovering an overwritten Exodus wallet from archived wallet data is only possible when the wallet data hasn’t been permanently erased.
In general, formatting your mobile device or uninstalling Exodus will permanently erase your archived wallet data.
In Exodus Mobile, a) tap the Wallet icon, then b) swipe down to go to the profile screen.
Tap Settings.
Tap Backups.
Tap Secret Key.
Tap the icon in the top right corner.
Here you will see a list of all your previously used secret keys and your current secret key. Tap on the secret key you want to restore.
To restore from the selected secret key, tap Restore.
How do I manage my backup history?
In Exodus Mobile, a) tap the Wallet icon, then b) swipe down to go to the profile screen.
Tap Settings.
Tap Backups.
Tap Secret Key.
Ensure no one is around to see your 12-word secret key, carefully read the prompt, and tap View Secret Key.
Tap the icon in the top right corner.
From the Backup History screen, tap Manage.
Select how long Exodus will store archived secret keys by tapping one of the following options:
a) Keep Forever
b) 1 Month
c) 3 Months
d) 6 Months
Selecting an option other than the default will show you a confirmation screen. To continue, tap Confirm.
Desktop
On Exodus Desktop, then if the files for your previous wallet are still on your computer after overwriting your wallet, you can restore the wallet by swapping the archived wallet files into the current, active wallet folder.
Your Exodus Desktop wallet backup data will only be kept for 90 days after overwriting them.
Video tutorial: How to rescue an overwritten wallet on Desktop?
Mac
Open your Exodus wallet and click Exodus in the top left corner to access the developer menu.
a) Hover over Developer, select b) Data Folder, then c) click on Export Zipped Data Folder. Ensure the copy of your data directory is exported to your desktop before continuing.
This will export a copy of your data directory to your desktop. You'll need it in case you need to start the process over again.
In the developer menu, a) hover over Developer, b) then, Data Folder, then c) click on Open Data Folder. This will open your file explorer.
From the file explorer, open the Exodus folder.
You can also navigate to this folder directly by enabling hidden folders on your device and following this route: Hard Drive > Users > YOUR_USERNAME > Library > Application Support > Exodus
Close Exodus. It's important that you close your Exodus wallet before proceeding.
In the Exodus folder, open the Backups folder.
Open the Wallet folder.
You will see one or several time-stamped folders. Each one is an archive of previously existing wallets. Open the folder of the wallet you would like to restore.
If you have multiple folders and the folder you selected didn't restore the overwritten wallet you wanted, please repeat this process with the other folders until you restore the correct wallet.
Right-click on the exodus.wallet folder and select Copy.
Now go back to the top of the Exodus folder. Here there will also be a folder named exodus.wallet. Rename the folder to exodus.walletBACKUP.
Right-click and select Paste Item. This will paste the folder that you copied in step 9.
Now you should see the copied exodus.wallet folder.
Open your Exodus wallet. Your previous wallet from the backup folder should be restored. If the wallet you restored was secured with a password, you will need to enter it to access the wallet.
After recovering your wallet, remember to back up your wallet by writing down your secret key: How do I always have access to my wallet with my 12-word secret key?
Windows
Open your Exodus wallet, on your keyboard press and hold the 3 following keys ctrl + shift + D at the same time to access the developer menu. Click Developer in the top left corner to access the developer menu.
a) Hover over Developer, then b) Data Folder, then c) click on Export Zipped Data Folder. Ensure the copy of your data directory is exported to your desktop before continuing.
This will export a copy of your data directory to your desktop. You'll need it in case you need to start the process over again.
In the developer menu, a) Hover over Developer, b) then Data Folder, then c) click on Open Data Folder. This will open your file explorer.
From the file explorer, open the Exodus folder.
You can also navigate to this folder directly by enabling hidden folders and following this route: Windows (C:) > Users > YOUR_USERNAME > AppData > Roaming > Exodus
Close Exodus. It's important that you close your Exodus wallet before proceeding.
In the Exodus folder, open the Backups folder.
Open the Wallet folder.
You will see one or several time-stamped folders. Each one is an archive of previously existing wallets. Open the folder of the wallet you would like to restore.
If you have multiple folders and the folder you selected didn't restore the overwritten wallet you wanted, please repeat this process with the other folders until you restore the correct wallet.
Right-click on the exodus.wallet folder and select Copy.
Now go back to the top of the Exodus folder. Here there will also be a folder named exodus.wallet. Rename the folder to exodus.walletBACKUP.
Right-click and select Paste. This will paste the folder that you copied in step 9.
You should then see the copied exodus.wallet folder.
Open your Exodus wallet. Your previous wallet from the backup folder should be restored. If the wallet you restored was secured with a password, you will need to enter it to access the wallet.
After recovering your wallet, remember to back up your wallet by writing down your secret key: How do I always have access to my wallet with my 12-word secret key?
Linux
Open your Exodus wallet, on your keyboard press and hold the 3 following keys ctrl + shift + D at the same time to access the developer menu. Click Developer in the top left corner to access the developer menu.
a) Hover over Developer, then b) Data Folder, then c) click on Export Zipped Data Folder. Ensure the copy of your data directory is exported to your desktop before continuing.
This will export a copy of your data directory to your desktop. You'll need it in case you need to start the process over again.
In the developer menu, a) Hover over Developer, b) then Data Folder, then c) click on Open Data Folder. This will open your file explorer.
From the file explorer, open the Exodus folder.
You can also navigate to this folder directly by enabling hidden folders and following this route: /home/YOUR_USERNAME/.config/Exodus
Close Exodus. It's important that you close your Exodus wallet before proceeding.
In the Exodus folder, Open the Backups folder.
Open the Wallet folder.
You will see one or several time-stamped folders. Each one is an archive of previously existing wallets. Open the folder of the wallet you would like to restore.
If you have multiple folders and the folder you selected didn't restore the overwritten wallet you wanted, please repeat this process with the other folders until you restore the correct wallet.
Right-click on the exodus.wallet folder and select Copy.
Now go back to the top of the Exodus folder. Here there will also be a folder named exodus.wallet. Rename the folder to exodus.walletBACKUP.
Right-click and select Paste. This will paste the folder that you copied in step 9.
You should then see the copied exodus.wallet folder.
Open your Exodus wallet. Your previous wallet from the backup folder should be restored. If the wallet you restored was secured with a password, you will need to enter it to access the wallet.
After recovering your wallet, remember to back up your wallet by writing down your secret key: How do I always have access to my wallet with my 12-word secret key?