What Types of Wallets Can I Have in Gem Wallet?
Wallet Types at a Glanceâ
Gem Wallet has three types of wallets. You can keep as many wallets as you like, of any type, in one app.
| Type | What controls it | Networks | Can send and swap? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Multi-Coin | One Secret Phrase | Every network Gem Wallet supports | Yes |
| Single-network | A Secret Phrase or a private key, used on one network | One network, such as Ethereum or Solana | Yes |
| Watch-only | Only a public address, no key | One network | No, view only |
In Settings > Wallets, Multi-Coin wallets are listed first, then single-network wallets (shown with their address), then watch-only wallets.
Multi-Coin Walletâ
A Multi-Coin wallet gives you an address on every supported network from a single Secret Phrase. It's the type most people use, and it's what you get when you tap Create a New Wallet.
- One backup covers all your networks: if you write down the Secret Phrase, you can restore everything.
- To see the phrase, open Settings > Wallets, select the wallet, and choose Show Secret Phrase.
- You can also import an existing phrase from another wallet as a Multi-Coin wallet. See Restore Gem Wallet.
Single-Network Walletâ
A single-network wallet is imported for one network only. You choose the network when you import, then enter either a Secret Phrase or a private key.
Use it when:
- You have a private key from another wallet. A private key controls one address on one network, so it can only be imported this way.
- You only want to use one network from a Secret Phrase and keep the rest of its networks out of the app.
A single-network wallet's screen shows its address with an explorer link. If it was imported from a private key, it shows Show Private Key instead of Show Secret Phrase.
Private key import isn't available on every network. Bitcoin-family networks and Cardano, for example, only accept a Secret Phrase. See What Is a Private Key?
Watch-Only Walletâ
A watch-only wallet follows a public address so you can see its balance and transactions. It holds no key, so nothing can be sent, swapped, or signed from it, and there's nothing to back up.
It's useful for keeping an eye on a hardware wallet, a cold-storage address, or a wallet on another device. See What is a Watch Wallet? and How to Add a Watch Wallet.
How to Add a Walletâ
- Open Settings > Wallets.
- Choose Create a New Wallet for a new Multi-Coin wallet, or Import an Existing Wallet.
- To import, pick Multi-Coin or a single network. For a single network, choose Phrase, Private Key (where supported), or Address for a watch-only wallet.
- Paste, type, or scan it, and tap Import.
If you paste a Secret Phrase or private key, Gem Wallet clears it from your clipboard after importing. If the wallet is already in the app, Gem Wallet tells you instead of adding it twice.
Your Secret Phrase and private keys stay on your device. Gem Wallet never asks for them, and support will never ask you to share them. Anyone who does is a scammer.
Which Type Should I Use?â
- New to Gem Wallet or starting fresh? Create a Multi-Coin wallet and back up its Secret Phrase.
- Moving from another wallet? Import its Secret Phrase as Multi-Coin. Use a single-network wallet only if you have a private key or want just one network.
- Want to check balances without spending? Add a watch-only wallet.
To rename, pin, or reorder your wallets, see How to Organize Your Wallets in Gem Wallet.