Losing a Tangem card can be concerning, but the impact depends on your wallet's setup and the remaining cards you possess. In most cases, it's just an inconvenience that you can easily overcome. This comprehensive guide tells you what to do next.
Understanding the Tangem Wallet structure
Tangem Wallets come in sets of 2 or 3 cards. Each card holds a copy of your private key, allowing access to your crypto assets. This design ensures redundancy; if one card is lost, the others can still grant access.
🛠️ If you've lost one card or ring
✅You have at least one remaining card/ring.
Access: With at least one remaining card, you can still access your wallet and manage your funds.
Security measures: If you suspect the lost card is compromised, consider transferring your assets to a new wallet for enhanced security.
Replacing the lost card: After the initial setup, you cannot add a new card to an existing wallet. To restore full redundancy, set up a new wallet with a new set of cards and transfer your funds there.
❌ You have no remaining cards
Without Seed Phrase: If your wallet was set up without a seed phrase and all cards are lost, access to your funds is permanently lost. You must prevent this scenario.
DO NOT KEEP ALL YOUR TANGEM DEVICES IN ONE LOCATION.
With Seed Phrase: If you set up your wallet with a seed phrase, you can restore your wallet on a new device using that seed phrase. This feature is only available in second-generation Tangem Wallets and the Tangem Ring.
Access code protection
An access code protects each Tangem Wallet:
Forgotten Access Code: If you forget the access code for a card, you can reset it using another card from the same wallet set. This process requires at least two devices.
Access Code Recovery Settings: Tangem allows you to enable or disable access code recovery. This feature is geared towards users with great memory but are careless with their devices.
Disabling this feature enhances security but means you cannot reset the access code if forgotten.
Always remember your access code. Don't rely solely on biometric authentication.
We suggest using a single, easy-to-remember access code for all your Tangem devices.
Lost smartphone
Your smartphone doesn't hold your crypto assets; it's an interface that helps you manage them. The Tangem card/rings takes care of the private keys and signs transactions.
So, if you lose your phone, your funds are safe. You can access them again by installing the Tangem app on a new NFC-enabled smartphone and scanning your card or ring.
What happens if someone finds my lost tangem?
Even if someone finds your lost Tangem card or ring, they cannot access your funds without the correct access code. After multiple incorrect attempts, the card introduces a delay to prevent brute-force attacks.
If someone opens your phone, they cannot access your Tangem app without your card or ring. Even with a stolen card or ring + smartphone, your access code is the last line of defense against unauthorized access to your funds.
If your Tangem Wallet uses a seed phrase, ensure it's stored securely offline—don't keep screenshots of it on your phone or computer.
What else can you do?
Find the remaining cards: Determine how many cards you still have access to.
Transfer funds if necessary: If you've lost a card and have concerns about security, transfer your assets to a new wallet.
