How to Set Up and Use Tangem Wallet With a Seed Phrase
This guide explains how to set up a Tangem Wallet with a seed phrase, the option for anyone who wants their own set of words for recovering the wallet. On top of the Tangem cards used as backups, the seed phrase is sensitive information that must be stored with great care, because anyone who has every word in the right order may be able to reach your assets.
When to choose this method
Choose setup with a seed phrase if you want a way to recover the wallet in addition to the Tangem cards, and you accept responsibility for storing the seed phrase yourself. Never photograph it, save it as a file or enter it on any website.
Before you start
- Use an iPhone or Android phone with NFC switched on
- Download Tangem App from the App Store or Google Play only
- Have paper and a pen ready to write down the seed phrase. Do not use screenshots or a notes app
- Keep every Tangem card in the set ready, because adding backup cards follows straight after the wallet is created
Set up somewhere private, with enough time to finish in one go. If there is a security camera, another person or screen recording that could capture the seed phrase, move somewhere else before you begin.
How to set up Tangem Wallet with a seed phrase
1. Open Tangem App and choose Scan card
Open the Tangem app and tap Scan card to read the first card.
2. Tap the first card against the back of your phone
Hold the card against the back of the phone and keep it still until the app has finished reading it. If the scan does not work, slide the card slowly around the back of the phone to find the NFC area.
3. Choose Other options
On the screen for choosing a setup method, tap Other options to go to the seed phrase setup. Do not tap Create wallet at this step, because that button is for setup without a seed phrase.
4. Choose Generate seed phrase
In the options menu, choose Generate seed phrase. The app then creates a new seed phrase for this wallet.
5. Write down the seed phrase in the order the app shows
Choose 12 or 24 words, then write every word on paper in the order shown on screen. Check the spelling and the order before you continue. The seed phrase is shown only once.
Important: Never photograph the seed phrase, never make a digital copy and never send it to anyone, even if they claim to be Tangem or SIAMBC.
6. Confirm the words in order
The app asks you to select or enter words in order to confirm that you wrote them down correctly. Complete this before you tap Create wallet, then scan the card when the app asks.
Add backup cards
Even with a seed phrase, adding backup cards still matters, because they let you keep using the same wallet easily if the card you carry is lost or not with you.
7. Tap Add a backup card
Choose Add a backup card to add the second card to the same set.
8. Scan the second card
Tap the second card against the phone and wait for the app to confirm it has been added.
9. For a 3-card set, add the third card, then tap Finalize the backup
Tap Add a backup card again to add the third card. When every card is added, tap Finalize the backup. For a 2-card set, you can tap Finalize the backup after adding the second card.
Set an Access Code
10. Read the explanation, then tap Continue
The Access Code stops anyone who picks up your card from using it straight away. Read the details on screen, then tap Continue
11. Set and confirm the Access Code
Set a code you can remember that is hard to guess, then enter it again to confirm. Avoid birthdays, phone numbers and any code you use for other important accounts.
Scan every card to confirm the backup set
Follow the order the app shows, and check the last four digits of the card before each tap.
12. Scan the primary card
Tap Scan the primary card, then scan the first card with the number the app shows.
13. Scan the backup cards in order
Scan Backup card #1 and, for a 3-card set, scan Backup card #2 next, using the card that matches the last four digits on screen.
14. Tap Continue to my wallet
When the screen shows that setup is complete, tap Continue to my wallet to go to the wallet's main screen.
Storing the seed phrase and the cards
- Keep the seed phrase on paper somewhere safe and private. Never store it together with all of the cards.
- Never photograph the seed phrase or save it on your phone, in the cloud, in email or in online notes.
- Keep each Tangem card in a different place, to limit the damage if one location suffers loss, fire or theft.
- Open the wallet with at least one backup card before transferring a large amount.
- No one at SIAMBC or Tangem ever needs to know your seed phrase or Access Code.
Frequently asked questions
When can the seed phrase be used for recovery?
With this setup, the seed phrase is an additional way to recover the wallet, so keep every word and the order complete. Never reveal it to anyone, because whoever has it may be able to reach your assets.
What if a card is lost but I still have the seed phrase?
The seed phrase means you still have a recovery option. If you are unsure, contact SIAMBC before doing anything, so you avoid entering the words anywhere unsafe.
What if I forget the Access Code?
Do not keep guessing. If you still have other cards in the set, contact SIAMBC for advice based on your actual situation, and never tell anyone your code or seed phrase.
Summary
Setting up Tangem with a seed phrase gives you an extra way to recover the wallet, but the wallet's security depends on storing the seed phrase and the backup cards with discipline. Write down every word, keep it apart from the cards and never reveal either one to anyone.
Last checked: 29 August 2026. Screens and button names may change with new versions of Tangem App.
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