Oh No! My Assets Are "Gone" After Importing My Seed Phrase – imKey Support

With the rapid advancement of technology, electronic devices are being updated faster than ever. One notable trend is that people are changing their phones more frequently. For users managing digital assets with decentralized wallets, this often involves importing their seed phrases into new devices to continue managing their funds. But a common and alarming question arises:

“Why did my assets disappear after importing my wallet?”

Is it possible for your assets to vanish into thin air when you import your wallet to a new device? Unfortunately, the answer is yes.

But this unsettling answer comes with some key conditions. If you inadvertently trigger any of the scenarios below, your assets could indeed seem to "disappear."

Condition 1: Selecting "Create Wallet" Instead of "Import Wallet"

"Import Wallet" and "Create Wallet" are two entirely different actions. Some may wonder, "How could anyone confuse the two?" Yet, during discussions with the imToken customer support team, it became clear that most cases of missing assets happen because users accidentally choose "Create Wallet" instead of "Import Wallet."

When you create a new wallet, the system generates a brand-new wallet address, which, of course, has no connection to your original wallet and no assets.

Condition 2: Mixing Up Multiple Seed Phrases

In the blockchain world, owning multiple wallet addresses is common practice. Most blockchain enthusiasts wouldn't even dare claim expertise without having several wallet addresses. Typically, one set of seed phrases can only correspond to one single wallet address.

If your digital assets are spread across multiple wallets, you should have multiple seed phrases backed up. However, if you fail to maintain proper records linking each seed phrase to its respective wallet, confusion is inevitable.

The result of seed phrase confusion is straightforward: while the seed phrases you input may be valid, it may not correspond to the wallet containing your assets. If the seed phrases correspond to an empty wallet address, your assets will naturally appear to have "disappeared."

Condition 3: Errors in Backing Up the Seed Phrase

Seed phrases are usually composed of 12 or 24 words. Only 2,048 specific English words are used for seed phrases, as defined by the BIP-39 standard.

For example, in the case of imToken, the app supports the import of 12-word seed phrases. If your backup contains errors, two outcomes are possible:

The imToken app rejects the seed phrase and displays an "Invalid Seed Phrase" error.
The app successfully imports the wallet, but the wallet address does not match your original one, leaving you with an empty wallet.

While the first scenario is easier to fix—simply correct the invalid words by referring to the official BIP-39 word list—the second scenario is trickier.

When facing the second issue, the first step is to confirm if the newly imported wallet address matches your original address. If the addresses match, check the blockchain explorer for the asset details. However, if they differ, your seed phrase may contain errors.

Common mistakes occur when handwritten backups are unclear or words are easily confused, such as "awake" vs. "aware" or "blue" vs. "blur." Such errors might inadvertently lead to importing a valid but incorrect wallet address—likely an empty one (99.99% of the time). This is a classic scenario where your assets seem to have "disappeared."

Condition 4: Changes in Wallet Derivation Path

Typically, a set of seed phrases correspond to one wallet address. However, in certain scenarios, altering the derivation path can generate entirely different wallet addresses from the same seed phrases. To understand how this happens, it’s essential to grasp the concept of wallet derivation paths.

What is a Wallet Derivation Path?

A wallet derivation path is a technical feature of hierarchical deterministic (HD) wallets, enabling the master private key to generate multiple accounts or wallet addresses through specific algorithms. Wallets like imToken simplify multi-chain and multi-account management by allowing users to create multiple accounts on different blockchains—or even multiple subaccounts on the same blockchain—using one set of seed phrases.

The derivation path system is based on two key protocols: BIP-32 and BIP-44.

BIP-32: Defines the hierarchical structure of accounts derived from the master private key. Different account levels are accessed using specific paths (e.g., m/*).
BIP-44: Provides a standard format for paths, ensuring consistency across wallets. This protocol enables wallets to derive the same address from the same seed phrase if the standard derivation path is used. The structure is as follows:
m / purpose' / coin_type' / account' / chain / address_index

Here’s what the components mean:

m: Indicates the account is derived from the master private key.
purpose: Always 44 for wallets following BIP-44, including imToken.
coin_type: Represents the type of cryptocurrency (e.g., 0 for BTC, 60 for ETH).
account: Specifies the account index, starting from 0.
change: Indicates whether the address is externally visible (0) or an internal change address (1); typically, this is set to 0.
address_index: Refers to the specific address under the account, starting from 0.

For example, the default derivation path for an Ethereum main account looks like this:
m/44'/60'/0'/0/0
This path corresponds to the first externally visible Ethereum address derived from the master private key under the BIP-44 standard.

Customizing Derivation Paths in imToken

In imToken, you can customize derivation paths to manage accounts more flexibly. There are two primary customization options:

Ledger Standard: This option generates accounts following Ledger’s derivation standards.
BIP-44 Standard: Users can manually input the last three parameters of the derivation path to create custom accounts.

If the derivation path changes—intentionally or accidentally—the wallet app will generate a different wallet address, even if the same seed phrases are used. This is why it’s crucial to note the correct derivation path when backing up your wallet. Without it, you may inadvertently access an empty wallet address and believe your assets are lost.

Why This Matters

How to Avoid Asset Loss

To prevent these issues, adopt the following best practices:

Properly Back Up Your Seed Phrase
- Always write your seed phrase down on paper and avoid saving it on any digital or online device to minimize security risks.
- For long-term durability, consider storing your seed phrase in a metal storage device designed for backups.
Record the Wallet’s Default Derivation Path
- When creating a new wallet, take note of the default derivation path. This ensures you can accurately restore the wallet address later, even with different wallet software.
Double-Check Your Backup
- After backing up your seed phrase, verify it by importing the wallet into the app to ensure it restores the correct address.
Cross-Verify Wallet Information

Record the wallet address, derivation path, and part of the seed phrase (e.g., the first word) together. Store this information securely but separate from the full seed phrase. For example:
ETH Wallet: 0x123456…789 - m/44'/60'/0'/0/0 - "abandon"

Avoid Unnecessary Changes to Default Settings
- Do not alter the default derivation path unless you fully understand its implications. If changes are necessary, carefully document the new path for future reference.

Final Thoughts

By following these practices, you can safely restore your assets across any new device or wallet app. Managing a decentralized wallet requires diligence and care—your seed phrase is your only key to accessing your funds. Even a small mistake in its handling could result in permanent loss of your digital assets.

Don’t let a moment of negligence cost you your hard-earned assets. Take the time to secure your wallet and back it up properly—your future self will thank you.

Stay safe, stay informed, and manage your digital assets with confidence!