Import and restore an account

This part will show you how to import and restore an account on SubWallet.

If you have not had any accounts with SubWallet

Step 1: After installing SubWallet extension, open SubWallet and choose "Import an account".

Step 2: Choose your preferred way to import an existing account

Step 3: Create a master password and click "Continue".

Please note that SubWallet is non-custodial, so you would be the only person who knows your password; we cannot help you restore your password once it is lost. Please make sure that your password is well-kept.

After creating the master password, users will be directed to the step of creating/importing an account using the selected method.

#import-by-seedphraseImport by private key (currently supported with EVM account)Import from Polkadot {js} (Import by JSON file) Import by QR code

If you have already used SubWallet before

If you have a secret phrase (seed phrase), private key, backup JSON file, or QR code, you can import/restore your account and manage it with SubWallet.

Step 1: Open the SubWallet homepage and click on the account name to get to the account selection tab.

Step 2: In the account selection tab, click the import icon.

Step 3: Choose your preferred way to import account.

After creating the master password, users will be directed to the step of creating/importing an account using the selected method.

Import from seed phrase

Import by private key (currently supported with EVM account)

Import from Polkadot {js} (Import by JSON file)

Import by QR code

Import from seed phrase

If you want to import by seed phrase, please enter your seed phrase and click "Import account".

You could choose between importing either a Polkadot (Substrate) account, an Ethereum (EVM) account, or both.

For each seed phrase created with SubWallet, you would have a Polkadot account and an Ethereum account.

Polkadot accounts would display your assets on Substrate-native blockchains (such as Polkadot, Kusama, and Acala), while Ethereum accounts would display your assets on EVM chains (such as Moonbeam).

In some cases, if you import an account from seed phrase, problems can arise if the seed phrase of your original wallet is not compatible with SubWallet.

Trust Wallet and Safepal are among the wallets not compatible with us.

In this case, we would suggest you create a new wallet account with SubWallet and transfer your assets from your original wallet to this new account.

After importing the new account into the wallet, you might want to change the account name. Please follow this guide.

Please note that in order to see your assets after importing your account, you would need to manually enable the networks you want to use & have assets on. Please follow this instruction to enable the networks you want to use.

Ethereum network will be automatically turned on for Ethereum accounts.

SubWallet automatically enables Polkadot & Kusama networks for Polkadot (Substrate) accounts, but you can disable them if you wish.

Import by private key (currently supported with EVM account)

If you want to import by private key, please enter your private key and click "Import account".

After importing the new account into the wallet, you might want to change the account name. Please follow this guide.

Please note that in order to see your assets after importing your account, you would need to manually enable the networks you want to use & have assets on. Please follow this instruction to enable the networks you want to use.

SubWallet automatically enables Polkadot & Kusama networks for Polkadot accounts, but you can disable them if you so wish.

Import from Polkadot {js} (Import by JSON file)

If you want to import by JSON backup file:

Step 1: Click on the import field to choose a file from your device, or drag and drop your JSON backup file to import.

Step 2: Enter your JSON file password (created when you set up the wallet for the first time) and click "Import by JSON file".

Please note that if you want to import multiple accounts simultaneously from a JSON file, you are required to enter the password for each account you want to import.

After importing the new account into the wallet, you might want to change the account name. Please follow this guide.

Please note that in order to see your assets after importing your account, you would need to manually enable the networks you want to use & have assets on. Please follow this instruction to enable the networks you want to use.

SubWallet automatically enables Polkadot & Kusama networks for Polkadot accounts, but you can disable them if you wish.

Import by QR code

If you want to import by QR code, please present your QR code backup of your account's private key and scan this QR code with your current device.

Step 1: Click the "Scan the QR code" button.

Please note that you would need to grant the SubWallet extension permission to use your camera in order to import by QR code. If you have not yet granted this permission, SubWallet will show the following message:

Click the "Go to Setting" button. You will be directed to our security settings screen. Please switch the toggle and approve the browser pop-up to enable camera access.

If you use the Brave browser, there will be multiple options that allow us to access the camera for different durations. You can choose the time option that best fits your personal preferences. However, to ensure a seamless experience with our system, we recommend selecting the "forever" option.

Step 2: Present your QR code and scan it with SubWallet using your device's camera.

After the successful import of your account by QR code, you will be directed to the homepage.

After importing the new account into the wallet, you might want to change the account name. Please follow this guide.

Please note that in order to see your assets after importing your account, you would need to manually enable the networks you want to use & have assets on. Please follow this instruction to enable the networks you want to use.

SubWallet automatically enables Polkadot & Kusama networks for Substrate accounts, but you can disable them if you wish.

Disable your permission for camera access

After importing by QR code, If you want to revoke the permission for SubWallet to use your camera, please go to the Security settings section to do so.

Step 1: Choose the list icon on the upper left corner of your Homescreen.

Step 2: Choose "Security settings".

Step 3: Disable the toggle next to the "Camera access for QR" option.