TL;DR

  • If you used a seed phrase… install Phantom on the new device, choose “I already have a wallet,” and import your 12 words… you’re back in.
  • If you used seedless (email + 4-digit PIN)… install Phantom, choose “I already have a wallet,” continue with your email/Apple/Google login, then enter your PIN to restore.
  • If you’ve lost both your seed phrase and seedless PIN… there’s no recovery. Secure what you can now… export backups if you still have access on any device.

What you’ll learn

  • The right step-by-step for seed phrase vs seedless recovery.
  • What to do after a phone is lost or stolen.
  • How to back up properly so a future restore is boring, not stressful.

First moves if your phone is lost or stolen

a black and white photo of a hair dryer laying on the ground
Photo by Andy Kennedy / Unsplash
  1. Don’t panic… remove access by changing your phone passcode and signing out of Apple ID or Google where needed. Use remote-wipe if appropriate.
  2. Install Phantom on a safe device and start your recovery path below.
  3. Tighten dApp connections once you’re back in… review connected sites and revoke anything you don’t recognise.

Recovery on a new device… two paths

A) You created your wallet with a seed phrase

  1. Install Phantom from the official site or app store.
  2. Open the app… tap I already have a wallet… select Import Recovery Phrase.
  3. Enter your 12-word phrase in the correct order.
  4. Set a new password/PIN on this device.
  5. If you used a hardware wallet, pair it now and re-add those accounts.
  6. Reconnect dApps… test with a tiny transaction.

Good to know

  • Your seed phrase is the master key… it restores all accounts derived from it once you re-add them.
  • If you’re still logged in on any device, export the seed phrase now and store it offline… don’t screenshot.

B) You created your wallet with seedless sign-in (email + 4-digit PIN)

  1. Install Phantom… tap I already have a wallet.
  2. Tap Continue with Email, choose Continue with Apple or Continue with Google if that’s how you set it up.
  3. Complete the sign-in, then enter your 4-digit PIN to finish the restore.
  4. Set a device passcode/biometrics… then reconnect dApps and test with a tiny transaction.

Good to know

  • Your 4-digit PIN is required to recover a seedless wallet on a new device. Memorise it and store it safely.
  • Phantom can’t recover this PIN for you… it’s part of the self-custody model.

If you’ve lost both the seed phrase and the seedless PIN

person holding white and red card
Photo by Eduardo Soares / Unsplash

There’s no way to regenerate those secrets after the fact. If you still have access on any device, export your seed phrase or private keys now and secure them offline… then migrate funds to a fresh wallet with a clean backup. If you’re fully logged out everywhere without the required secret… funds aren’t recoverable.

Extra steps for hardware wallets (Ledger)

  • Update firmware and apps… pair Ledger with Phantom again.
  • Enable required settings like blind signing for Solana where needed.
  • Add the same accounts you used before and let balances sync.

Post-recovery hygiene… do this now

  • Backups… write your seed phrase on paper, store in two locations… or confirm your seedless restore on a second device so you’re not single-point-of-failure.
  • Revokes… clear old approvals on EVM… set spend caps going forward.
  • Browser profiles… keep Phantom and other wallets in separate profiles to avoid provider clashes.
  • Security… enable device biometrics, auto-lock in Phantom, and keep a small SOL buffer for routine actions.

Common mistakes

  • Typing the seed phrase wrong… even one word off will fail. Double-check spelling and order.
  • Mixing seed phrases… importing the wrong phrase restores a different wallet. Label your backups clearly.
  • Confusing password with seed… Phantom passwords unlock the app; they don’t restore wallets. Recovery needs the seed phrase or the seedless login + PIN.
  • Trusting DMs… nobody legitimate will ask for your seed phrase or private keys. Ever.

Mini FAQ

Can I recover without the seed phrase or the seedless PIN?
No… self-custody means only you hold the keys and secrets.

Will Phantom Support restore my wallet for me?
No… they won’t ask for or store your seed phrase or private keys. They provide guidance, not access.

I restored but some accounts are missing…
Add accounts under the same wallet… they’ll re-appear as they’re derived from your original seed.

Do I need SOL to tidy things after recovery?
Keep a small SOL buffer for non-gasless actions and token account inits… it saves headaches.

If this got you back in safely… join Alpha Insider for deeper security workflows, revoke playbooks, and weekly timing windows. Fewer mistakes… cleaner execution… more conviction.