--- content_id: 194 content_type: evergreen-answer priority: P1 intent: solve cluster: recovery-migration language: en title: "How Do You Move a Self-Custody Wallet to a New Phone?" slug: move-self-custody-wallet-to-new-phone canonical: https://wallet.terenval.com/answers/move-self-custody-wallet-to-new-phone/ primary_query: "how to move crypto wallet to new phone" last_reviewed: 2026-10-05 publisher: Terenval --- # How Do You Move a Self-Custody Wallet to a New Phone? ## Direct answer First verify that you have the correct recovery backup and any required additional passphrase. Install the wallet on the new phone only from its official source, use the legitimate restore/import flow, then compare known public addresses and on-chain balances before relying on the new device. Keep the old phone intact until the new wallet is verified. You normally do not need to send every asset on-chain if you are restoring the same wallet keys. ## Key takeaways - Verify the backup before deleting or resetting the old phone. - Use the official install source and restore flow. - Compare known addresses, not only displayed balances. - Check multiple networks/accounts if the old wallet was multi-chain. - Do not wipe the old device until the new installation is independently verified. ## 1. Decide whether you are restoring or creating a new wallet Restoring the same seed/passphrase recreates keys according to the target wallet's derivation rules. Creating a fresh seed creates a new wallet and requires on-chain transfers from old addresses to new ones. If the old device or seed may be compromised, do not simply restore the same compromised wallet. Create a fresh wallet on a clean device and migrate assets instead. ## 2. Verify recovery material before migration Confirm that the seed words are complete and in the correct order and that you know whether an optional BIP39 passphrase was used. Do not take a screenshot or upload the phrase to cloud storage just for convenience. If the old wallet has a built-in backup verification workflow, use the official workflow without exposing the phrase to another website. ## 3. Restore on the new phone Install from the official domain/store/PWA route. Enter recovery material only inside the verified restore/import flow. After restoration, compare a known Bitcoin/EVM public address from the old wallet or transaction records. A valid seed can still show different addresses when wallet derivation schemes or account indexes differ, so address comparison is a stronger check than simply seeing “wallet restored.” ## 4. Verify every important network For a multi-chain wallet, switch through the networks where you actually hold funds and compare balances with block explorers. Check tokens separately if the wallet does not auto-detect every contract. Then make a small outgoing test transaction from the new device before treating the migration as complete. ## 5. Retire the old device carefully After the new phone is verified, remove wallet access from the old device according to your threat model. If you are selling or giving away the phone, use the device vendor's secure reset process. A device reset is not a substitute for keeping the recovery backup safe. ## Common mistakes - Wiping the old phone before verifying the backup. - Restoring a compromised seed onto a new phone and assuming the compromise is gone. - Checking only one chain in a multi-chain wallet. - Panicking over zero balance without comparing addresses/derivation. - Entering the seed into a web “migration assistant.” ## How this works in Terenval Wallet For Terenval Wallet, install/open the official wallet on the new device and use the supported create/import recovery flow. Compare derived Bitcoin/EVM addresses with records from the old device before relying on the restored balances. Then verify the supported network contexts you actually use. Keep recovery material out of chats and support requests. Terenval support does not need the seed phrase to troubleshoot a migration. ## Frequently asked questions ### Do I have to pay network fees to move the wallet to a new phone? Not when you are restoring the same keys and accounts; no on-chain transfer is required just to recreate access. Fees apply if you choose to move assets to a fresh wallet. ### Should I delete the wallet from the old phone first? No. Verify the new device and backup first so you do not destroy your only working access path. ### What if the new wallet shows different addresses? Stop and check passphrase, derivation path, account index and address type before moving funds. ## Sources - https://bips.dev/39/ - https://bips.dev/32/ - https://bips.dev/44/ - https://wallet.terenval.com/info/security/ ## Editorial review Published by Terenval. Technical review: Terenval Wallet team. Last reviewed: 2026-10-05. ## Related Terenval Answers - [Why Does My Wallet Show Zero Balance After I Restore the Seed Phrase?](https://wallet.terenval.com/answers/zero-balance-after-restoring-seed-phrase/) - [How Can You Tell a Fake Crypto Wallet App from a Real One?](https://wallet.terenval.com/answers/how-to-tell-fake-crypto-wallet-app-from-real/) - [What Is Clipboard Hijacking in Crypto and How Do You Prevent It?](https://wallet.terenval.com/answers/clipboard-hijacking-crypto-prevention/) - [What Is Address Poisoning and How Can It Trick Crypto Wallet Users?](https://wallet.terenval.com/answers/address-poisoning-crypto-wallet-users/) Editorial policy: https://wallet.terenval.com/editorial-policy/ Official article: https://wallet.terenval.com/answers/move-self-custody-wallet-to-new-phone/