Seed phrases, passphrases, and what you need to know first
A seed phrase (sometimes called a recovery phrase) is the master key to your crypto accounts. Most hardware wallets generate a 24-word seed phrase during setup by default, though some products and configurations can use 12 words. Why does that matter? Because the number of words affects how you select the "restore" option on-device.
Passphrase (aka the optional 25th word) behaves differently: it creates a hidden wallet that only appears when the passphrase is supplied. Use it with care. What I've found is that many restore problems come from forgetting whether a passphrase was used (or which exact passphrase was used).
If you want deeper reading on storage and metal backups, see seed-phrase-management and passphrase-25th-word.
Before you begin: checklist
- Physical access to the replacement Nano X and the original seed phrase.
- A secure, private room (no cameras, no strangers). And no public Wi‑Fi.
- Your device charged and updated (see firmware updates verification).
- Your PIN and any passphrase remembered. But don’t try random guesses — that can lock the device after repeated failures.
- Metal backup plates or a written copy of the seed phrase stored safely (see geo-distribution-storage).
Step by step: restore a Nano X from a seed phrase
Below I describe the standard on-device restore flow and a fallback when the companion app isn't running.
On-device restore (recommended)
- Power on the device and choose the "Restore" or "Recover device" option on the welcome screen.
- Confirm the number of words that match your seed phrase (12 or 24). If you used an optional passphrase, be ready to enter it after the seed is accepted.
- Follow the device prompts to enter each word with the device controls. This keeps the seed entry offline — you never type the seed into a phone or computer.
- Set a new PIN on the device when prompted.
- After restore completes, connect to the companion app (or a compatible wallet) to reinstall blockchain apps and rescan accounts.
Image: [alt text: device restore screen placeholder]
A few practical tips: enter the full seed slowly and double-check each word. I noticed that rushing increases the chance of a typo (and you only get a limited number of tries before the device locks).
Restore when the companion app isn't running
Sometimes the desktop/mobile companion app will fail to start or detect the device (see troubleshooting-not-detected). You can still complete the on-device restore without the app. Afterward, use a different computer or the official app to reinstall coin support.
If you see messages about firmware mismatches, do not proceed until you verify authenticity via the official firmware verification steps (firmware-updates-verification). But if the device itself only shows the normal restore flow, on-device restore is safe.
If an app asks you to type your seed phrase into a form: stop. Do not type your seed phrase (ever) into a web page or phone app.
Special cases: Monero and other coins
Different blockchains can have extra steps after a basic device restore. For example, Monero uses a specific account layer and often requires installing the Monero app on the device and a compatible host wallet to open the account.
So if you need to restore monero wallet from ledger, restore the device first, then install the Monero app and follow the Monero guide to open the account. See monero-guide and supported-coins for coin-specific notes.
Troubleshooting common restore errors
- "App not running" or no connection: try a different USB cable, restart the host, disable VPNs, and try Bluetooth vs USB if supported. See troubleshooting-general.
- Wrong word count: confirm whether your original seed was 12 or 24 words. But sometimes users accidentally wrote down only part of the phrase — cross-check metal backups or other copies.
- Passphrase confusion: if the device restores but your accounts are empty, you might be on a different passphrase (or none). Try known passphrase variations in a secure room.
If the device reports a firmware/bootloader problem, follow troubleshooting-bootloader and verify authenticity before connecting to third-party software.
Security considerations during recovery
- Never enter a seed phrase into an online form. Ever.
- Prefer on-device entry to keep the seed air-gapped. But if you must restore via a desktop tool, isolate the machine (air-gap or offline machine) and verify the tool’s integrity.
- Use metal backups for long-term durability and geographically split copies for redundancy (see geo-distribution-storage).
- Passphrases add plausible deniability and another layer, but they also increase recovery complexity for heirs. Think about inheritance planning.
And double-check your environment before restoring. But don’t let the security advice freeze you — restoring a device is routine once you prepare.
Recovery method comparison (quick table)
| Method |
Pros |
Cons |
| On-device restore |
Keeps seed offline; straightforward |
Requires physical device and working screen/buttons |
| Restore using official companion app |
Easier account reinstall and app management |
Never type seed into the computer; risk if host is compromised |
| Restore on a compatible third-party hardware wallet |
Useful if original device is lost |
Requires compatibility and careful verification of derivation paths |
Multisig, inheritance, and long-term strategies
If you hold substantial funds, consider multisig setups across multiple hardware wallets. Multisig reduces single-point-of-failure risk but increases operational complexity (compatibility between wallets matters). For inheritance, record clear instructions about seed phrase location, passphrase use, and trusted custodians — and test recovery with a small amount first.
See multisig-setup-compatibility and inheritance-planning for structured approaches.
FAQ
Q: Can I recover my crypto if the device breaks?
A: Yes — if you have the seed phrase (and passphrase if used), you can recover on a replacement device or compatible wallet. See recover-if-broken.
Q: What happens if the company goes bankrupt?
A: Your funds are tied to your private keys (seed phrase), not the company. As long as you control the seed and use compatible software/hardware, you can recover funds.
Q: Is Bluetooth safe for a hardware wallet?
A: Bluetooth adds convenience but increases the attack surface. Use wired connections for large restores when possible and ensure the host device is secure.
Q: "My ledger pass phrase not linked to wallet" — what now?
A: That usually means you restored without supplying the passphrase, so the accounts appear empty. Try restoring again and supply the passphrase in a private environment.
Q: "Ledger nano s restore wallet but app not running" — fix?
A: Complete the on-device restore and then troubleshoot the companion app separately (drivers, firmware, USB cable). See troubleshooting-not-detected.
Conclusion and next steps
Recovering a Nano X from a seed phrase is a routine but sensitive task. Prepare a private workspace, confirm word count and passphrase status, and restore on-device whenever possible. In my experience, having a clear checklist (and a metal backup) prevents most headaches.
Read the full device setup and daily usage guides next: nano-x-setup and nano-x-setup. For seed storage best practices, see seed-phrase-management. If you run into hardware detection problems, check troubleshooting-not-detected or recover-if-broken.
Need more help? Check the FAQ page or contact support for step-by-step assistance.
