Passkey wallets do not offer an "export seed phrase" function. Their recovery mechanism is completely different from traditional wallets. Simply put, seed phrase wallets rely on the 12 or 24 words you write down to restore access, while passkey wallets rely on your Apple ID or Google Account to sync and recover. These two approaches are fundamentally different.
Why Can't I Find an "Export Seed Phrase" Option?
The private key of a passkey is locked inside your device's secure chip. This is designed to prevent it from being exported or read. So in the settings of a passkey wallet like imToken Web, you won't find any button to "export seed phrase" or "export private key". This is completely different from wallets like TronLink that let you use a passkey to verify your identity and then export the seed phrase.
High risk: If you're used to traditional wallet backups and assume a passkey wallet can also export a seed phrase to write on paper, you'll have a dangerous misunderstanding. Once you mistakenly believe there is a seed phrase safety net and neglect the security of your cloud sync account, you may find both recovery paths blocked when your device is lost.
Situation A: You are using a native passkey wallet (like imToken Web)
These wallets rely entirely on the cloud account you used during wallet creation.
What to do: When switching to a new phone, log in with the same Apple ID or Google Account, open imToken Web, select "Sign in with Passkey", and verify with Face ID or fingerprint.
Success standard: Once logged in, your account address and assets are restored automatically—no words needed.
Note: If iCloud Keychain or Google Password Manager sync was not turned on your old phone, the passkey cannot be recovered when you switch devices, and your account will be permanently lost.
Situation B: You are using a "passkey + seed phrase safety net" setup (some wallets support this)
A few wallets still generate addresses from a seed phrase under the hood, but the seed phrase is encrypted and stored locally. You have a chance to export a backup during creation.
What to do: After creating the wallet, look for an seed phrase export option in settings or security. Verify with your passkey to view the seed phrase.
Success standard: Write down and securely store the 12 or 24 words.
Note: This export opportunity is usually only offered once during creation. If you miss it, you may not be able to export it again later.
Situation C: You set up an "account recovery" feature (like imToken Web's recovery mechanism)
This is a supplementary recovery method provided by some wallets. It does not depend on cloud sync and does not export a seed phrase.
What to do: After creating a passkey account, link an app wallet as a recovery key through "Set Up Account Recovery".
Success standard: Once linked, even if your passkey is lost, you can use that app wallet to sign and start an on-chain recovery request to reset a new passkey.
Note: The recovery process has a 72-hour lockout period during which the original device can cancel the operation.
Common Reasons for Failure
Mistakenly believing there is a seed phrase: The security model of a passkey wallet does not involve any seed phrase at all. People who try to find an "export seed phrase" option often waste a long time searching the settings without success.
Confusing "account recovery" with "seed phrase backup": They are completely different. Account recovery is resetting your passkey by signing with another wallet in an emergency, while a seed phrase is the ultimate key that directly controls all private keys.
After Recovery
How to verify: Once logged in, make sure the account address in the top right menu and the balance on the "My Assets" page exactly match what you had before.
Next steps: If you are in Situation B and have successfully exported the seed phrase, store it physically right away (e.g., steel plate, fireproof safe). Do not take screenshots or save it on internet-connected devices. If you are in Situation A, double-check that cloud sync is enabled on your new phone.
