How To Find Your Secret Recovery Phrase in MetaMask (2024)

Having access to all your private keys, passwords, and secret phrases is crucial when dealing with cryptocurrencies. Without them, you may lose access to your virtual wallet and your cryptocurrency.

MetaMask provides several ways for you to access your wallet. One of those is a Secret Recovery Phrase, which allows you to access your wallet when not using your local account.

How to Find Your Secret Recovery Phrase via a Web Browser

This method requires you to be logged in to your MetaMask account on a web browser. If you have forgotten your password and aren’t logged in, you can’t use this technique. Follow these steps to find your 12-word Secret Recovery Phrase.

1. Log in to the MetaMask web extension and click the icon at the top-right of the screen.
   
2. Select the “Settings” option.
   
3. Navigate to “Security & Privacy.”
   
4. Scroll down and click the “Reveal Secret Recovery Phrase” button.
   
5. Enter your password to reveal your Secret Recovery Phrase.
   

Ideally, you should record this phrase on paper or in a document that you keep on a USB drive. Recording it on your device could prove problematic if somebody gains access to the device. They’ll be able to view and use your Secret Recovery Phrase.

How to Find Your Secret Recovery Phrase on an Android Device

You can access your Secret Recovery Phrase using the MetaMask Android app. Available via Google Play, this app allows you to manage your crypto funds in the same way as the web extension. Follow these steps to find your 12-word phrase:

1. Tap the icon with three horizontal lines at the top left of your screen.
   
2. Choose “Settings.”
   
3. Tap “Security & Privacy.”
   
4. Select “Reveal Secret Recovery Phrase.”
   
5. Enter your password.
   

The app reveals your phrase, which you should record and store in a safe location.

How to Find Your Secret Recovery Phrase on an iPhone or iPad

MetaMask also has a mobile app offered through Apple’s App Store. After downloading the app and logging in, you can access your Secret Recovery Phrase using these steps.

1. Navigate to the top left of the screen and tap the three horizontal lines.
   
2. Select “Settings.”
   
3. Choose “Security & Privacy.”
   
4. Tap “Reveal Secret Recovery Phrase.”
   
5. Enter your MetaMask password.
   

You will receive your 12-word phrase, which you should record physically and store in a safe location.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a secret recovery phrase?

Think of your Secret Recovery Phrase as a backup way to enter your MetaMask wallet. You can use it to access your wallet when you’re away from your local device. It gives you access to your funds if you forget your password.

It is a 12-word phrase that MetaMask generates as soon as you set up your wallet. The phrase is unique to your wallet, meaning it only provides access to your account. As such, you should never share your Secret Recovery Phrase with anybody else or you risk losing the funds in your wallet.

You must maintain a record of your Secret Recovery Phrase to ensure you always have access to your funds. If you forget your password and are logged out of your wallet, the MetaMask team can’t grant access again without this phrase.

Why is the secret recovery phrase so important?

The Secret Recovery Phrase is the same thing as a seed phrase, which is a unique identifier that’s directly linked to the funds stored in your crypto wallet. Every wallet generates one of these phrases when you sign up.

If you don’t record your Secret Recovery Phrase, you have no way to access your crypto funds if you forget your wallet password. Unfortunately, this means you lose the funds entirely. Not having a record of your Secret Recovery Phrase means you risk losing all of the money you’ve invested in crypto.

Why store your secret recovery phrase physically?

It’s tempting to record your Secret Recovery Phrase in a document stored on your PC or mobile device. Though this is convenient, it also creates a security risk. If your device breaks, the record of your phrase is lost. Worse, if a malicious party gains access to your device, they may find your Secret Recovery Phrase. Once they have the phrase, nothing can stop them from accessing your account and draining your funds. Even changing your password won’t prevent this, as the Secret Recovery Phrase is tied directly to your wallet and its funds.

It’s also worth noting that you can’t change your Secret Recovery Phrase. It’s automatically generated and tied to your wallet. The only way to get a new phrase is to create a new wallet and transfer the funds from your old one over to the new one.

You need to keep a record of your phrase physically to ensure nobody can access it via digital means. Many people write their phrase down and place it in a safe or safety deposit box. Others store them on a flash drive they only use when they need access to the phrase. You may also commit the phrase to memory, though this comes with the obvious drawback of you forgetting it when you need it.

When should you share your secret recovery phrase?

Never. That’s the short answer.

Nobody but you should know your Secret Recovery Phrase. Even the MetaMask team shouldn’t know it. Do not respond to any requests for your phrase from somebody claiming to represent MetaMask. The company never asks for this information under any circ*mstances.

If somebody claiming to be from MetaMask asks for your Secret Recovery Phrase, you can report them via the MetaMask support channel.

Keep It a Secret

Your MetaMask Secret Recovery Phrase is the main line of defense between your wallet and malicious parties. It’s unique to your wallet, and prevents others from accessing your funds. This phrase also allows you to access your MetaMask account if you forget your password.

Make sure you have your Secret Recovery Phrase written down and stored safely.

Without it, you may lose access to your MetaMask wallet completely, resulting in the loss of all funds stored in it.

Do you already have your MetaMask Secret Recovery Phrase written down and stored? Have you ever needed to use a seed phrase to regain access to your wallet before? Let us know in the comments section below.