Recovery Sheet

Updated Apr 13, 2026

A recovery sheet is a physical document used to record the information needed to restore access to a cryptocurrency wallet. In most cases, this means writing down a seed phrase, the 12 to 24-word backup that the wallet generates when you first set it up. The sheet is the last line of defense if a wallet device is lost, broken, or stolen.

Recovery sheets are also called backup sheets, seed phrase cards, or wallet backup cards. Some wallet manufacturers include a pre-formatted card in the product box. Others leave the format to the user. Either way, the purpose is the same: a durable, offline record of the words that can rebuild a wallet from scratch on any compatible device. Without one, a lost or broken wallet device can mean permanent loss of funds. With one, you can restore full access in minutes.

How a Recovery Sheet Works

When you create a non-custodial wallet, it generates a seed phrase, a sequence of 12 to 24 randomly chosen words drawn from a standardized 2,048-word list defined by the BIP39 standard. The phrase mathematically derives every private key and address in the wallet. Write those words down in the correct order, and you have a complete record of your wallet.

The setup process works like this:

A new wallet is created on a hardware device, mobile app, or browser extension
The wallet displays the seed phrase word by word
The user writes each word, in order, onto the recovery sheet
Most wallets ask the user to confirm by re-entering selected words
The sheet is stored securely, offline, and separately from the device

When restoration is needed, the user selects "restore wallet" on a new device, enters the words in the correct order, and the wallet reconstructs every address and private key that was ever generated from that phrase. Balances reload from the blockchain automatically.

The sheet itself holds no funds and connects to nothing. It is simply a record of the words that give someone full control of a wallet.

Recovery Sheet in Practice

A user sets up a hardware wallet, writes their 24-word seed phrase onto the recovery card included in the box, and stores it in a home safe. Two years later, the device stops working after a firmware update goes wrong.

They buy a new device, select "restore from recovery phrase," enter the 24 words in order, and within seconds, the wallet is back. Every address, every balance, every transaction history reappears exactly as before. The device failure was an inconvenience, not a loss.

The alternative: the same user never wrote down the phrase, assuming support could help later. The device fails. The wallet provider has no record of the seed phrase. The funds are permanently gone.

The recovery sheet is not a backup for the device. It is a backup for the wallet itself. The device is replaceable. The seed phrase is not.

Risks and Common Misconceptions

Storing the sheet digitally. Taking a photo, typing words into a notes app, or saving to cloud storage defeats the purpose entirely. Any seed phrase stored on a connected device is exposed to hacks, cloud breaches, and malware. A sheet photographed on a phone and synced to iCloud is effectively a hot wallet.
Keeping only one copy. One sheet in one location is one fire or flood away from permanent loss. Keep two or three copies in separate physical locations: a home safe, a bank deposit box, and a trusted family member's secure storage are all reasonable options.
Writing it down incorrectly. Words in the wrong order, misspelled, or with one missing will either fail to restore the wallet or restore the wrong one entirely. Write slowly, confirm each word against the wallet display, and take the verification step seriously when the wallet prompts you to re-enter words.
Storing the sheet near the device. If both live in the same place, either a theft or a disaster takes both. The sheet and the device should never share the same physical location.
"The wallet company keeps a copy." No reputable non-custodial wallet provider stores, transmits, or has any access to your seed phrase. Any provider that claims otherwise is a red flag. If someone asks for your seed phrase in any context, through any channel, it is a scam.
"I only need it if something goes wrong." A recovery sheet is needed the moment a wallet is set up, not the day a problem occurs. Devices fail without warning. The sheet should be created and secured on day one.

Tangem's Approach to Recovery Sheet

Most hardware and software wallets require a recovery sheet during setup. The wallet generates a seed phrase, displays it, and asks the user to write it down. The security of everything in that wallet then depends on how carefully that sheet is handled for the rest of its life.

This works well in theory. In practice, people store recovery sheets in predictable places, write them on whatever paper is nearby, photograph them for convenience, and occasionally lose them entirely. The recovery sheet is both the most important part of wallet security and the part most likely to be handled poorly.

Tangem's default setup removes the recovery sheet from the equation. Private keys are generated inside the card's secure chip and never leave it. There is no seed phrase to write down and no paper backup that could be found, copied, or destroyed. Instead, Tangem uses a set of two or three identical cards that share the same wallet. Lose one card, use another. No words. No paper. No single point of physical failure.

For users who want a seed phrase for compatibility with other wallets, Tangem supports optional BIP39 phrase generation. In that case, a recovery sheet is necessary, and the same best practices apply. But the default experience is built around eliminating the recovery sheet as a liability without reducing the user's ownership of their funds by a single degree.

Frequently Asked Questions About Recovery Sheet

What should I write on a recovery sheet?

Write your seed phrase, the 12 to 24 words your wallet displayed during setup, in exact order. Number each word. Keep the sheet simple and legible. Do not add passwords, wallet addresses, or unrelated notes to the same document.

How many copies should I keep?

At least two, stored in separate locations. A home safe and a bank deposit box are a practical combination. If you use a BIP39 passphrase, store it separately from the seed phrase so neither is useful without the other.

What is the most durable format for a recovery sheet?

Paper is the starting point, but it burns and degrades over time. For significant holdings, a metal backup plate made from stainless steel or titanium offers fire and water resistance. Purpose-built products like Cryptosteel are widely used for long-term storage.

Do I need a recovery sheet if I use Tangem?

Not by default. Tangem's standard setup stores private keys inside the card's chip with no seed phrase generated. A second or third card in the set handles recovery. If you enable the optional seed phrase feature, then yes - create and store a recovery sheet with the same care as any BIP39 backup.

Can someone restore my wallet with just the recovery sheet?

Yes, fully and immediately, on any compatible wallet. Your seed phrase gives unconditional access to every address and asset in the wallet. There is no second factor or confirmation step. Physical security of the sheet matters as much as the wallet's digital security.