How to Move to Gem Wallet from Another Wallet App
Three Ways to Moveâ
| Option | Best when | What you need |
|---|---|---|
| Import your Secret Phrase as a Multi-Coin wallet | You want the same addresses on many networks in Gem Wallet | The 12- or 24-word Secret Phrase from your old app |
| Import a private key as a single-network wallet | You only need one address, or the address is on a path Gem Wallet doesn't use | The private key for that address. Not available for Bitcoin-family networks or Cardano |
| Create a new wallet and send your funds | Your old phrase may have been exposed, your old app uses its own phrase format, or you want a fresh start | A new Gem Wallet with its own Secret Phrase, and enough coin for network fees on each network |
See What Types of Wallets Can I Have in Gem Wallet? for the difference between Multi-Coin and single-network wallets.
If you think anyone else has seen your Secret Phrase, don't import it. Create a new wallet in Gem Wallet and send your funds to it. See What to Do If Your Crypto Wallet Is Compromised?
Before You Startâ
- Note your addresses. In your old app, write down the address that holds your funds on each network.
- Check your backup. Make sure you have the Secret Phrase written down correctly. You'll need it to import, and it's your only backup if something goes wrong.
- Keep the old app installed until you've confirmed everything in Gem Wallet.
- Note anything time-sensitive, such as staking that's unbonding or a swap that's still in progress.
Check That Your Addresses Matchâ
After importing a Secret Phrase, open Receive in Gem Wallet on each network you use and compare the address with the one from your old app.
- Same address: your balance, tokens, and history appear after a refresh.
- Different address: your old app used a different derivation path. Your funds are still safe at the old address. Send them from your old app to your Gem Wallet address, or import that address's private key. See Gem Wallet Derivation Paths.
Gem Wallet imports standard Secret Phrases with English words. Some wallet apps use their own phrase format, such as Electrum seeds for Bitcoin, or a phrase in another language. Gem Wallet can't import those. Send your funds from the old app instead.
What Carries Overâ
Everything on the blockchain belongs to the address, not the app. When the address matches, you'll see:
- Balances and tokens. Tokens Gem Wallet doesn't recognize may need to be added. See How to Add a Token or Custom Token on Gem Wallet.
- NFTs held by the address.
- Staking positions, including any unbonding in progress.
- Transaction history on the blockchain.
- Token approvals you gave to dApps. They stay active until you revoke them. See How to Revoke a Suspicious Token Approval.
What Doesn't Carry Overâ
These are stored in your old app, not on the blockchain, so you'll need to set them up again:
- Contacts and address labels. See What are Contacts in Gem Wallet?
- Wallet names and the order of your tokens.
- Connected dApps. Reconnect them with WalletConnect.
- Price alerts and app settings, such as currency and security lock.
- Pending orders or features specific to the old app, such as its own exchange or rewards.
After You Moveâ
- Back up your Gem Wallet. If you created a new wallet, write down its Secret Phrase. See Backup Gem Wallet.
- Turn on the app lock. See How to Lock Gem Wallet with Face ID, Touch ID, or a Passcode.
- Remove the old app only after you've confirmed every network's balance in Gem Wallet.
For step-by-step guides from specific apps, see Gem Wallet Migration Guides.