# How does the Blockstream app generate my recovery phrase?

Source URL: https://helpcenter.dxp-frontend.devserver.app/blockstream-app/faqs/how-does-the-blockstream-app-generate-my-recovery-phrase
Updated: 2026-04-09T09:36:05.000Z
Category: Blockstream App
Section: FAQs

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The Blockstream app uses the [BIP39](https://github.com/bitcoin/bips/blob/master/bip-0039.mediawiki) standard—the most widely-adopted format in the Bitcoin industry—to generate your recovery phrase.

Recovery phrases generated using the BIP39 standard consist of either 12 or 24 words from a [library](https://github.com/bitcoin/bips/blob/master/bip-0039/english.txt) of 2048 pre-specified terms. Blockstream app recovery phrases are 12 words by default.

As a hierarchical deterministic wallet, the Blockstream app uses the BIP32 standard to derive the child keys for its wallet.

Although the Blockstream app uses industry standards for recovery phrase generation, wallets created in the app using two-factor authentication (2FA) cannot be restored on other wallet software. This is due to the unique multisig security model used for **2FA Protected Accounts**. In comparison, you can restore wallets that use **Singlesig** on most other wallet software (e.g. Electrum).

In order to restore BIP39 wallets created on other wallet software, you can select **Restore from backup** when creating a new wallet on the Blockstream app.

> **Note:** If you enter your recovery phrase from a 2FA account into a different wallet app that supports BIP39, the app may accept the recovery phrase, but it will generate an empty single-signature wallet. Any transactions sent from or received to this wallet will be completely separate from your Blockstream app wallet.

Navigation: Blockstream Help Center > Blockstream App > How does the Blockstream app generate my recovery phrase?

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