# Create or import a wallet

> Create a new wallet, or import one with its mnemonic phrase or private key. You can also watch an address, or connect a cold or hardware wallet.

URL: https://docs.fxwallet.com/get-started/create-and-import-wallet
Last reviewed: 25 September 2026

On a new install, FxWallet's first screen offers **Create New Wallet** and **Import Existing Wallet**. To add another wallet later, tap the wallet name at the top of the **Wallet** tab, then tap **+** to open **Add Wallet**.

| On **Add Wallet** | Use it when |
| --- | --- |
| **Create Wallet** | You want a new wallet. FxWallet makes a new mnemonic phrase for it. |
| **Import Wallet** | You have a mnemonic phrase or a private key, from FxWallet or another wallet app such as MetaMask. |
| **Cold / Hardware Wallet** | You keep the keys on an offline phone or a hardware wallet. |
| **Watch Wallet** | You want to follow an address's balances without its key. |

## Create a wallet

Choose to create a wallet, set up how you unlock FxWallet (Face ID, your fingerprint or a passcode), and FxWallet makes the wallet and its 12-word mnemonic phrase.

> **Danger**
>
> Back up the mnemonic phrase before you add any crypto. It's the only way to restore the wallet, and FxWallet can't recover it for you. See [Back up your mnemonic phrase](https://docs.fxwallet.com/get-started/back-up-your-mnemonic).

If you tap **Backup Later**, the **Wallet** tab reminds you, and the wallet is marked **Not Backed Up** in **Me** → **Wallet Management**, until you back it up.

## Import a wallet

Choose to import a wallet, tap **Mnemonic Phrase / Private Key**, and enter the mnemonic phrase or the private key. [Recover your wallet on a new or lost phone](https://docs.fxwallet.com/get-started/recover-your-wallet#restore-a-wallet) has the steps.

- **A mnemonic phrase** imports the whole wallet, on all its networks. FxWallet accepts phrases of 12, 15, 18, 21 or 24 words. It restores the wallet's first account: add the others again with **Add Account** in **Wallet Management**.
- **A private key** imports one address, on the network you choose under **Select Chain**. An EVM private key works on every EVM network.
- A wallet you import from MetaMask or another app has the same addresses and assets in both apps, so keep both apps secure. To find the phrase or key in the other app, see that app's help.
- Custom tokens aren't part of the wallet: add them again. See [Add tokens and networks](https://docs.fxwallet.com/wallet/add-tokens-and-networks).

## Watch a wallet

A watch wallet follows an address's balances and transactions without its private key, so FxWallet can't send from it on its own. Tap **Watch Wallet** and enter an EVM address (it starts with `0x`) or an ENS name.

- You can watch EVM addresses only.
- You can receive crypto at its address, and turn on **Payment Notifications** for its transactions on its **Manage Account** page.
- To send from it, sign with the wallet that holds the key, such as a cold wallet. See [Use a cold wallet with FxWallet](https://docs.fxwallet.com/cold-and-hardware-wallets/cold-wallet-mode).
- You can't view a mnemonic phrase or private key for a watch wallet, pay gas with a Gas Card, or stake with it.
- Removing a watch wallet doesn't affect the address or its assets. If it's the only wallet on your phone, removing it resets FxWallet.

> **Danger**
>
> **Start as Guest** on the first screen opens FxWallet with a watch wallet of an address that FxWallet picks to show you around. It isn't yours: never send crypto to it. Create or import your own wallet before you receive anything.

## Cold and hardware wallets

With a cold or hardware wallet, the keys stay on another device, and FxWallet only prepares transactions for that device to sign. See [Use a cold wallet with FxWallet](https://docs.fxwallet.com/cold-and-hardware-wallets/cold-wallet-mode), [Connect a Keystone hardware wallet](https://docs.fxwallet.com/cold-and-hardware-wallets/keystone) or [Goldshell](https://docs.fxwallet.com/cold-and-hardware-wallets/goldshell).