April 26, 2026

What is a recovery phrase, and why is it important?

Your recovery phrase is a 12-word key that gives you access to your in-app identity – your contacts, wallet, and chats. It’s the only way to restore them.

What it does

Your recovery phrase is generated the moment you set up EXTRA SAFE. It controls access to:

  • Your wallet and all crypto funds inside it

  • Your EXTRA SAFE number and identity

  • Your contact list

This is what makes EXTRA SAFE truly self-owned.

Why it matters

On any device – new phone, factory reset, reinstall – entering your 12-word phrase brings everything back as it was. That's the only recovery method that exists.

If you lose your backup phrase, your account cannot be restored. There is no customer support path around this. Write it down, keep it offline, and treat it the way you'd treat cash.
Never store your recovery phrase in a screenshot, cloud document, or messaging app. A physical paper copy, a dedicated offline backup, or a password-protected QR code (www.text2qr.com) is the safest option.

Q: Is a 12-word phrase really secure?

Yes. A 12-word BIP-39 seed phrase has 128 bits of entropy – brute-forcing it is computationally impossible with today's technology. The risk isn't the phrase itself; it's where and how you store it.

Q: Can I change my recovery phrase?

No. Your recovery phrase is generated once and tied to your key pair permanently. You cannot change it without creating a new account. If you believe your phrase is compromised, create a new account and move your funds.

  • How do I restore my account on a new device using the backup phrase?

  • How do I create my account and activate the wallet?

  • What does self-custody mean and why does it matter?

  • What is EXTRA SAFE?

  • What happens if I lose my backup phrase?