Using Tangem Without Tangem
Tangem Wallet is built with an open and decentralized architecture. Your access to crypto does not depend on Tangem's continued existence, app stores, or company servers.
No Tangem Servers in Transactions
Tangem servers do not participate in sending or receiving transactions.
To send crypto, open the Tangem app, select a token, and enter the recipient's address and amount. After you tap Send, the app generates a transaction message for the blockchain.
Next, the transaction must be signed. The app asks you to enter your access code or use biometrics and tap your Tangem device on your smartphone. The secure chip inside the card or ring signs the transaction using your private key and returns the signed transaction to the app.
The app then sends the signed transaction to the blockchain via publicly available API services. These APIs interact directly with blockchain nodes and are used by many crypto applications.
If one API is unavailable, the Tangem app automatically switches to another. For each supported blockchain, the app connects to multiple public APIs.
Once the API responds, the Tangem app broadcasts your signed transaction to the blockchain. The transaction is then included in a block, your balance updates, and the recipient sees the received crypto.
As you can see, no Tangem servers are involved when sending and receiving transactions in your wallet.
What If the Tangem App Disappears from the App Store or Google Play?
If the Tangem app is removed from the App Store or Google Play, the version already installed on your phone will continue to work normally.
If you do not have the app installed, you can download it from GitHub. Tangem's GitHub repository is a public platform that contains the full open-source code for both Android and iOS, as well as the Android APK file for direct installation: https://github.com/tangem.
This ensures continued access to the app even if it is no longer available in official app stores.
FAQ
What is the wallet's service life?
Tangem and Samsung guarantee that the wallet will last at least 25 years. It uses the Samsung S3D232A chip from the S3D350 family.
Can I use a seed phrase in my wallet?
The use of seed phrases is optional. There are three private key generation methods available in the Tangem wallet:
- Using a True Random Number Generator (TRNG) generates keys inside the wallet’s chip and stores them there. Neither Tangem nor anyone else can access them (the recommended method).
- Generating a seed phrase* in the Tangem app and then importing it into the card/ring.
- Importing your seed phrase* from another wallet. Unlike private keys generated in the wallet, a seed phrase can be copied and stolen.
For more information on seed phrase technology and our approach, see our blog post: Everything About Seed Phrases in Tangem Wallet.
However, all wallet setup methods serve the same purpose: safeguarding your keys. No one, not even a thief, an employee of Tangem, or the owner, can gain access to them. The key is permanently embedded within the card and cannot be extracted under any circumstances.
*Important: This information is valid for the second-generation Tangem Wallets or later.
What are company servers used for?
The Tangem app uses the company's servers for:
- verifying device authenticity
- synchronizing the list of added tokens between the devices in the set
- calculate the cryptocurrency's value in your wallet
You can still use your Tangem Wallet without these services, although it may be less convenient.