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Does Gem Wallet Support a Passphrase (25th Word)?

Short Answer​

No. Gem Wallet doesn't support a BIP-39 passphrase, sometimes called a 25th word, 13th word, or extra word. Gem Wallet creates and imports wallets from the Secret Phrase alone, with no passphrase.

What Is a Passphrase?​

Some wallets, especially hardware wallets, let you add an optional passphrase on top of your 12 or 24-word Secret Phrase. The passphrase isn't one of the standard words. It can be any text you choose.

The same Secret Phrase with a different passphrase creates a completely different wallet, with different addresses. That's why it's sometimes called a "hidden wallet."

What Happens If I Import a Phrase That Used a Passphrase?​

The import works, but Gem Wallet opens the wallet without the passphrase. You'll see different addresses, usually empty, because they belong to the passphrase-free wallet.

Your funds aren't lost. They're still at the addresses your passphrase creates, and you can still reach them with your original wallet and the passphrase.

How Do I Move Those Funds to Gem Wallet?​

  1. Open the wallet where you use the passphrase, such as your hardware wallet's app.
  2. Create a new wallet in Gem Wallet, or use one you already have, and copy its receive address for each coin. See Receive Crypto in Gem Wallet.
  3. Send the funds from the passphrase wallet to your Gem Wallet addresses. Start with a small test amount.

For more on moving from another wallet, see How to Move to Gem Wallet from Another Wallet App.

caution

Never type your Secret Phrase or passphrase into a website to "convert" or "import" a wallet. Only enter your Secret Phrase in Gem Wallet itself, and only when you're restoring your own wallet.

Other Reasons Your Addresses Might Not Match​

If you didn't use a passphrase and the addresses still don't match your old wallet, the other wallet may use a different derivation path. See What Is a Derivation Path? and Gem Wallet Derivation Paths.