Recover an Existing Wallet
Learn how to recover a wallet on your ELLIPAL X Card using a seed phrase, connect it to the ELLIPAL App via NFC, and verify your wallet address—fully offline.
How to Recover an Existing Wallet on ELLIPAL X Card
This guide walks you through recovering a wallet on your ELLIPAL X Card using your seed phrase — the 12 to 24 words you wrote down when the wallet was first created. The entire process happens offline; your private keys never leave the card.
Before You Start
Make sure you have the following ready:
ELLIPAL X Card (the card you want to recover onto)
ELLIPAL Starter, powered on
ELLIPAL App installed on your iOS or Android phone
NFC enabled on your phone
Your seed phrase (12, 15, 18, 21, or 24 words), written down in the correct order
A private space where no camera or other person can see your seed phrase
Step 1: Recover your wallet on X Card
Your X Card uses your seed phrase to reconstruct your wallet entirely on the device — nothing is sent over a network.
Tap Recover Wallet
Use the up and down arrows on the left side to select your Seed Phrase Option (12, 15, 18, 21, or 24 words), then tap OK
Use the arrows to enter each word of your seed phrase in the exact original order, then tap Next
Select the correct words in the correct order to confirm your seed phrase, then tap Next
Use the arrows to set each digit of your Card-PIN, then tap Next
Wait while the X Card recovers your wallet — do not remove the card during this process
When the screen shows Wallet Recovered, tap OK
Choose whether you need a duplicate card:
If you do not need one, tap No
If you need a duplicate, tap Yes, insert another blank X Card, and follow the on-screen instructions
When the screen prompts you to remove the card, remove your X Card from the Starter
Enter your seed phrase only on the ELLIPAL Starter. Never type it into any online device, app, or form. Anyone who has your seed phrase can access your assets.
Step 2: Connect the recovered X Card to the ELLIPAL App
The app and your X Card communicate via NFC — hold your card near your phone's NFC area to complete the connection.
Open the ELLIPAL App and tap Cold Wallet
Tap X Card
Tap Connect X Card
Enter your Card-PIN, then tap Submit
Hold your X Card near your phone's NFC area
Wait for the connection to complete — your wallet name and address will appear in the app
If NFC scanning fails, move the card slowly around the back of your phone until it detects. The NFC chip location varies by phone model.
What Can Go Wrong
Why is my wallet address wrong or balance missing after recovery?
Both issues point to the same root cause: a mismatch in what you entered during recovery. Check three things in order. First, confirm every seed phrase word is in the exact original sequence. Second, confirm the seed phrase length (12, 15, 18, 21, or 24 words) matches what you originally selected. Third, if you used a passphrase, confirm it is enabled on the Starter before recovery — go to Options > Passphrase on the Starter to turn it on, then repeat Step 1. If you did not use a passphrase, this setting should remain off.
Why won't my phone detect the X Card after recovery?
Confirm NFC is enabled in your phone's settings. Hold the X Card flat and still against the back of your phone — the NFC chips on both need to be aligned. If detection still fails, move the card slowly in small steps around the back of your phone until it connects. To avoid this issue, check your phone's NFC chip location before connecting.
How to Confirm It Worked
Once connected, open the ELLIPAL App and check the wallet address shown under your account. If it matches your original wallet address, recovery is complete and your X Card is ready to use. If the address does not match, your seed phrase was entered incorrectly or the passphrase setting is wrong — repeat Step 1 from the beginning.
FAQ
Why is my balance not showing after recovering my ELLIPAL X Card wallet?
First confirm your wallet address matches the original. If the address is correct but balance is missing, the funds may still be syncing — wait a moment and refresh the app. If the address does not match, the seed phrase was entered incorrectly or the passphrase setting is wrong; repeat Step 1 from the beginning.
What should I do if I cannot recover my X Card wallet because I lost my seed phrase?
Without your seed phrase, there is no way to recover your wallet. ELLIPAL does not store your keys and has no way to retrieve them on your behalf. If you still have access to another device or card holding the same wallet, transfer your assets to a new wallet immediately and back up the new seed phrase securely.
Do I need a passphrase to recover my ELLIPAL X Card wallet?
Only if you used one when the wallet was originally created. Unlike a standard password, a passphrase on the X Card must be enabled on the ELLIPAL Starter before recovery — go to Options > Passphrase on the Starter to turn it on. Once enabled, you will be prompted to enter it during the recovery process. If you did not use a passphrase, leave this setting off — enabling it without the correct passphrase will produce a different wallet address.
What should I do if NFC connection fails after wallet recovery?
Make sure NFC is enabled in your phone settings. Hold the X Card flat against the back of your phone and move it slowly in small steps to find the NFC sweet spot. If the issue continues, see the full NFC troubleshooting guide linked below.
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