# What is a recovery phrase? Source URL: https://helpcenter.dxp-frontend.devserver.app/blockstream-app/faqs/what-is-a-recovery-phrase Updated: 2026-04-09T09:36:46.000Z Category: Blockstream App Section: FAQs --- Your recovery phrase is a list of 12 or 24 words, derived from [BIP39](https://github.com/bitcoin/bips/blob/master/bip-0039/english.txt), that stores all the information needed to restore your wallet. **The recovery phrase is the most important piece of information associated with your wallet. Make sure you always have it backed up and protected or you may lose access to your funds. Blockstream does not have a copy of your recovery phrase, so it is the user's responsibility to maintain their backup.** > **Note:** In other wallets, the recovery phrase is sometimes known as a _seed phrase_, _mnemonic backup_, or _recovery seed_. A recovery phrase looks something like this: ```auto arrow garment kite truth yellow pelican roast latin discover jewel describe merry polar equip pistol next forest dignity kick word steel seminar actual genuine ``` You can use your recovery phrase to [restore your wallet on any device](https://helpcenter.dxp-frontend.devserver.app/blockstream-app/set-up-transact-recover-your-wallet/restore-wallet) running the Blockstream app or using your Jade. You can use it to add access to the same wallet on multiple devices (e.g. desktop and mobile) or to restore your wallet on a new device (e.g. [you lost or broke the original device](https://helpcenter.dxp-frontend.devserver.app/blockstream-jade/set-up-transact-recover-your-wallet/restore-recovery-phrase-to-jade)). ## How Do Recovery Phrases Work? When you create a wallet on the Blockstream app or on Jade, it automatically generates a recovery phrase which [you must write down](https://helpcenter.dxp-frontend.devserver.app/blockstream-jade/set-up-transact-recover-your-wallet/set-up-jade) to complete the setup process. The recovery phrase represents your Blockstream app or Jade private key ([or one of your two keys if using a Multisig Shield wallet](https://helpcenter.dxp-frontend.devserver.app/blockstream-app/manage-2fa-accounts/2fa-multisig-protection-explained)) in a human-readable format. The private key is what allows you to spend bitcoin and Liquid assets. In reality, private keys are long strings of letters and numbers, but representing the key as a series of words minimizes the risk of errors when you write down your recovery phrase. Being able to access your wallet is **dependent on your recovery phrase**, as well as the **network** and **security policy** you chose during setup. For example: If you create a new wallet and choose Bitcoin as the network and Multisig Shield as the security policy, but then restore the same 12/24 words as a _**Singlesig**_ Bitcoin wallet, it will generate a wallet, however your Multisig Shield funds will not appear. This means that you can use the same recovery phrase for multiple networks, but the wallets will be completely separate and you should not expect to see the same balance in each of them. ## Recovery Phrase Best Practices - **Keep it somewhere safe:** Don't lose it. If you change your hardware device, your device gets lost or stolen, you forget your PIN, or your PIN gets reset, you will need your recovery phrase to regain access to your wallet. - **Keep it somewhere secret:** Anyone with access to your recovery phrase can steal your funds, so make sure no one else can find it. You can use [Multisig Shield](https://helpcenter.dxp-frontend.devserver.app/blockstream-app/manage-2fa-accounts/2fa-multisig-protection-explained) to mitigate this risk. - **Never send it over email or text to anyone:** Blockstream support will never ask for your recovery phrase, and you should [immediately report](mailto:support@blockstream.com) anyone that does request it. - **Never save it on an internet-connected device:** Saving the recovery phrase on a mobile notepad, as a screenshot, or anywhere with remote attack vectors puts it at risk. Offline, physical backups will serve you best. Paper works in a pinch, but [metal](https://store.blockstream.com/products/blockstream-metal-offline-backup) is more disaster-proof! Navigation: Blockstream Help Center > Blockstream App > What is a recovery phrase? ## Related Articles in This Section - [Why do I have to pay transaction fees and why are they sometimes high?](https://helpcenter.dxp-frontend.devserver.app/blockstream-app/faqs/why-do-i-have-to-pay-transaction-fees-and-why-are-they-sometimes-high) - [Why is my transaction taking so long to confirm?](https://helpcenter.dxp-frontend.devserver.app/blockstream-app/faqs/why-is-my-transaction-taking-so-long-to-confirm) - [Why does my receive address keep changing?](https://helpcenter.dxp-frontend.devserver.app/blockstream-app/faqs/why-does-my-receive-address-keep-changing) - [What is a recovery phrase?](https://helpcenter.dxp-frontend.devserver.app/blockstream-app/faqs/what-is-a-recovery-phrase) (current) - [How is my software wallet security different from Jade’s?](https://helpcenter.dxp-frontend.devserver.app/blockstream-app/faqs/how-is-my-software-wallet-security-different-from-jades) - [How does the Blockstream app generate my recovery phrase?](https://helpcenter.dxp-frontend.devserver.app/blockstream-app/faqs/how-does-the-blockstream-app-generate-my-recovery-phrase) - [What is pseudonymous data collection and how is it used?](https://helpcenter.dxp-frontend.devserver.app/blockstream-app/faqs/what-is-pseudonymous-data-collection-and-how-is-it-used) - [What are Blockstream's official social channels?](https://helpcenter.dxp-frontend.devserver.app/blockstream-app/faqs/what-are-blockstreams-official-social-channels)