MetaMask requires your Secret Recovery Phrase (SRP) to restore access to your accounts — whether switching devices, reinstalling the extension, or migrating from another wallet.
MetaMask uses the BIP-39 standard, so your SRP is compatible with many other wallets that implement the same specification.
An SRP is a sequence of 12 or 24 words that acts as the master key to your entire wallet. Every account address, token balance, and transaction history is mathematically derived from this phrase. MetaMask Support cannot recover your SRP — it is stored locally, never on MetaMask servers.
| Seed Phrase (SRP) | Private Key | |
|---|---|---|
| What it restores | Entire wallet | One specific account only |
| Word count | 12 or 24 words | 64-character hex string |
| Best used for | Full wallet migration | Adding a single account |
| After import | All ETH-balance accounts appear | Account marked “Imported” |
If you have your SRP, use it. Private key import is only appropriate for adding one isolated account to an existing wallet.
Verify the URL is metamask.io before downloading.
Then select “Import a wallet.”
12 or 24 words, all lowercase, one space between each word, no trailing space.
MetaMask derives your wallet and shows your address and balance.
Only the First Funded Account Auto-RestoresIf you had multiple accounts under the same SRP, only the first account with a non-zero balance restores automatically. Add more via account avatar → “Add a new Ethereum account.”
Click the account selector → “Add wallet” → “Import a wallet” → enter your SRP and click Continue. Note: if MetaMask is connected to a Google or Apple account, the imported SRP syncs across all devices using that login.
Tap your account name at the top.
Then “Import a wallet.”
All lowercase, one space between words.
Choose which accounts to restore, then tap Continue.
MetaMask accepts any BIP-39 seed phrase, so 12-word or 24-word phrases from Trust Wallet, imToken, and most other non-custodial EVM wallets import directly the same way. Always verify the ETH address shown after import matches your original wallet’s address.
Exchanges Cannot Be ImportedCentralized exchange accounts (Binance, Coinbase, Kraken) have no exportable seed phrase. Withdraw funds to your MetaMask address instead.
MetaMask supports only the BIP-44 derivation path m/44’/60’/0’/0 when importing a seed phrase. If a wallet used a non-standard path for certain chains, MetaMask may generate different addresses for those chains — this is expected, not data loss.
| Cause | Fix |
|---|---|
| Wrong network selected | Switch networks in the selector |
| Custom token not added | Import tokens via contract address |
| Only Account 1 restored | Manually add accounts to find the correct one |
Never Share Your SRPMetaMask will never ask for your SRP in a support chat, Discord, a pop-up, or email. Only enter it inside the official MetaMask Extension or app.
Click the account selector → “Add wallet” → “Import a wallet,” then enter your 12 or 24-word SRP in lowercase with one space between each word.
Yes, MetaMask supports both 12-word and 24-word BIP-39 phrases — enter all words in the correct order.
The SRP is the root key generating all accounts. A private key controls only one specific account and must be re-imported manually.
If you can still unlock MetaMask with your password, go to Settings → Security & Privacy → Reveal Secret Recovery Phrase to retrieve and back it up.
