Getting started
What technical requirements are needed for the wallet?
To access the wallet, your smartphone must run Android 6.0 or later or iOS 15.0 or later. These versions fully support Near Field Communication (NFC). However, this support does not extend to the iPhone 6, iPhone 6s, or the iPhone SE (1st generation).
Please note that iPhone 7/7 Plus and some Android models do not fully support NFC, preventing the necessary data transfer for creating backups during setup.
However, you can use any other supported smartphone to create a backup.
Here is a list of Android devices that do not support backups: Xiaomi Redmi 5, Xiaomi Redmi 9C, Samsung Galaxy S8 Plus, Samsung Galaxy A22s, Vivo V23e, Tecno Pova Neo 2, and Tecno Pova 3. This list will be updated regularly.
Here is a list of Android devices with weak NFC modules that may cause scanning difficulties: Samsung Galaxy A30S, Xiaomi Redmi 9C, Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 / 8 Pro, Samsung Galaxy A52, and Huawei Pura 70 Pro (the list is updated regularly).
Smartphones with customised firmware (not manufacturer-provided) might not work properly with the app.
Can I use the wallet with a PC or tablet?
No, tablets and PCs cannot be used with the Tangem Wallet because they do not have an inbuilt NFC module. The Tangem Wallet relies on the NFC antenna to communicate and transmit encrypted information between a smartphone and the wallet.
NFC is activated only when the wallet is close to the smartphone's NFC area.
To use the wallet, you need a smartphone running Android 6.0 or higher or iOS 15.0 or higher, with full NFC support. Please be aware that iPhone 6/6s and iPhone SE (1st generation) are incompatible.
Where can I download the Tangem app?
The Tangem app is available for download on the App Store, Google Play, and GitHub.
Why can't I download the app on Google Play?
If you can't download the app from the store, it's likely that your mobile device either lacks NFC support or runs an Android operating system lower than version 6.0.
In this scenario, you need to use a different smartphone with Android 6.0 or later or iOS 15.0 or later that has full NFC support. Please note that iPhone 6/6s and iPhone SE (first generation) do not have full NFC support.
How do I scan my Tangem Wallet?
To scan a Tangem Wallet, you need a smartphone with full NFC support. Depending on the brand and model of your smartphone, the NFC antenna may be located in different places on the phone.
Step 1: Prepare your smartphone
Ensure the NFC is enabled. Most modern smartphones have an NFC functionality; if it's not already activated, you may need to enable it in the settings.
Step 2: Locate the NFC module
The NFC module may be located in different places on your smartphone, depending on its brand and model.
The iPhone's NFC module is at the top near the front-facing camera. When you tap Scan card or ring, an animation shows you how to properly hold the device against the phone.
The NFC module's location on Android smartphones varies by brand and model. For specific instructions on locating the NFC module, refer to the user manual or search online: Samsung, Huawei, Sony Xperia, Google Pixel, Motorola, LG, HTC, Nokia.
Step 3: Position the Tangem Wallet
Hold the Tangem Wallet close to your smartphone's NFC module. Ensure no obstacles come between the wallet and the phone's NFC module for smooth scanning.
To scan the ring, you need to remove it from your finger and place it next to your phone. Please note that the Tangem app and the scan window must be open before scanning the ring.
Step 4: Tap to scan
Maintain contact between the wallet and your mobile device until the scanning process is complete. Upon successful scanning, you may hear a confirmation sound or a visual indicator on your smartphone.
Step 5: When the scan is complete, move the wallet away from the phone.
Keep the card or ring close to the phone only when the Tangem app requests it, and the scanning window is active. Do not keep the Tangem Wallet near your smartphone while entering the access code. We do not recommend storing the Tangem card in your phone's protective cover.
Recommendations
— Ensure the NFC module is enabled on your mobile device, including for the Tangem app.
— Remember that using a smartphone case can make scanning more difficult. We recommend removing the case from your phone before scanning your Tangem Wallets.
— The location of the NFC module on Android phones depends on the model. Therefore, you need to determine its exact location on your phone. This can be done via the "How to" button located in the scanning window.
— Keeping both devices stationary during scanning is important to avoid losing the connection.
— Remove the Tangem Wallet while entering the access code and place it close to your phone only when the scanning window is active.
— To use NFC, your phone's display must not be locked, and you may need to enable NFC in your smartphone settings.
— In some troubleshooting cases, you must reboot your mobile device.
Here is a video explaining the card scanning process: How to Scan a Tangem Wallet With Your Smartphone.
Here is a video explaining the ring scanning process: Tangem Ring Setup — Full Guide.
A step-by-step guide is also available in our blog article: How to scan Tangem Wallet cards.
How can I tell if my Tangem wallet is authentic?
The Tangem Wallet cannot be modified either in terms of software or physically, as it contains a monolithic chip. When scanning the card or ring, the official mobile verifies two things:
— It confirms that Tangem produced the wallet.
— It also confirms that the wallet contains Tangem's firmware.
Therefore, the Tangem app authenticates both the chip and the firmware, safeguarding against counterfeiting.
This technology makes buying Tangem Wallets completely safe, even at an underpass. You have to install the official Tangem app, and the card or ring should prompt you to create a wallet. If not, reset your Tangem to factory settings.
For further information, please refer to the blog post: How To Tell If Your Tangem Wallet Is Authentic.
How to create a wallet without a seed phrase?
To start using Tangem Wallet, you need an NFC-enabled mobile device and the official Tangem app. You can download the Tangem app from the App Store, Google Play, and GitHub. You can also place the wallet close to your phone's NFC module and be prompted to download the app from the store.
To create a Tangem Wallet without a seed phrase, follow these instructions:
1. Open the Tangem app.
2. Tap Scan Tangem and scan your card or ring by holding it close to your device.
3. Select Create wallet and scan the device again. The private keys will be generated offline in the wallet's secure element chip.
The wallet will then prompt you to create a backup. You can back up your keys to one or two empty Tangem devices. However, if you add one backup device now, you cannot add more backups later.
To start the backup process, follow these steps:
1. Tap Add a card or ring.
2. Scan the backup device by placing it close to your smartphone's NFC area. If a wallet has already been created on the backup device, the app will prompt you to reset it before using it.
You can only use empty Tangem Wallets to create a backup. Do not reset a card or ring if you still have funds on it; otherwise, you will lose them.
3. To add a third Tangem device, tap Add a card or ring and scan the second backup device.
4. Tap Finalize the backup.
Next, you must set up a single access code to protect your Tangem devices.
1. Tap Create and then enter an access code. Select any word, phrase, or number as the access code. Later you can set an individual access code for each Tangem device.
2. Tap Continue, re-enter the access code, and tap Submit.
3. Scan all devices again one by one.
In the next step, you can add tokens to your wallet or skip this step and do it later. BTC and ETH are added by default to the app's home page.
Here is a video that explains in detail how to set up Tangem Wallet without a seed phrase: Set Up Your Tangem Wallet Without Seed Phrases.
In addition, our blog article provides a step-by-step guide: How to set up Tangem Wallet without seed phrase.
How do I create a wallet with a seed phrase?
To get started with Tangem Wallet, you will need an NFC-enabled mobile device and the official Tangem app. You can download the Tangem app from the App Store, Google Play, and GitHub. You can also tap the wallet against your phone's NFC module, and you will be prompted to download the app from the store.
A seed phrase is a set of words that is used to regain access to your wallet. Unlike private keys generated in Tangem Wallets, a seed phrase is not secure and can be copied or stolen. Use this option at your own risk.
To create a Tangem Wallet with a seed phrase, follow the instructions:
1. Open the Tangem app.
2. Click Scan and scan the card/ring by bringing it close to your phone's NFC module.
3. Select Other options.
4. Select Generate seed phrase.
The Tangem app then generates your seed phrase. You can choose between 12 or 24 words. Write these words on a piece of paper and keep it somewhere safe. You will only be shown this seed phrase once. Do not take a screenshot or a picture of it.
5. Tap Continue. To check if you have written down the seed phrase correctly, enter the words indicated on the screen.
6. Tap Create Wallet and scan your card/ring.
The wallet will then prompt you to create a backup. You can back up your keys on one or two other blank Tangem devices. If you add only one backup device now, you cannot add more later.
Follow these steps to start the backup process:
1. Tap Add card or ring.
2. Scan the backup device by bringing it near your smartphone's NFC module.
If a wallet has already been created on the backup device, the app will prompt you to reset it before proceeding with the backup. You can only use blank Tangem devices to create backups. Do not reset a card/ring if it has funds on it, or you will lose them.
3. You can add another device if you have one, or complete the process. To add a third device, tap Add card or ring and scan the device.
4. Tap Finalize backup.
Next, you must set up a single access code to protect your wallet.
1. Tap Continue and enter the access code. You can choose any word, phrase, or number. Later, you can set an individual access code for each device.
2. Tap Continue, re-enter the access code, and tap Submit.
3. Scan all devices again, one by one.
In the next steps, you can add tokens to your wallet or skip this step and do it later. BTC and ETH are added by default to the app’s home page.
Here is a video explaining the process of setting up a Tangem seed-phrase wallet in detail: How to Set Up the Tangem Wallet (With a Seed Phrase)How to Set Up the Tangem Wallet (With a Seed Phrase).
A step-by-step guide is available in our blog article: How to Set Up the Tangem Wallet With a Seed Phrase.
Important: This applies to the second-generation Tangem 2.0 or later.
How do I import a wallet?
You can import your wallet into Tangem Wallet using a seed phrase of 12, 15, 18, 21, or 24 words. To do this, follow these instructions:
1. Open the Tangem app.
2. Tap Scan and scan the card/ring by tapping it on your phone's NFC module.
3. Select Other options, then Import wallet.
4. To import a wallet, enter your seed phrase.
5. You can also enter your passphrase in the field provided if you have one.
6. Tap Import and scan the card/ring.
A passphrase, often called a "25th seed," is yet another security feature in cryptocurrency wallets. It adds an extra phrase of your choice to an existing seed phrase. With a passphrase, a user can create multiple wallets based on the same seed phrase. Each unique "seed phrase + passphrase" combination provides access to a corresponding unique wallet. Without knowing the passphrase, a third party cannot access your wallet even if they know the seed phrase.
The wallet will then prompt you to create a backup. You can back up your keys to one or two blank Tangem devices. However, you cannot add more backups later if you add only one backup device now.
Follow these steps to start the backup process:
1. Tap Add card or ring.
2. Scan the backup device by bringing it near your smartphone's NFC module.
If a wallet has already been created on the backup device, the app will prompt you to reset it before proceeding with the backup. You can only use blank Tangem devices to create backups. Do not reset a card/ring if it has funds on it, or you will lose them.
3. You can add another device if you have one, or complete the process. To add a third device, tap Add card or ring and scan the device.
4. Tap Finalize backup.
Next, you must set up a single access code to protect your wallet.
1. Tap Continue and enter the access code. You can choose any word, phrase, or number. Later, you can set an individual access code for each device.
2. Tap Continue, re-enter the access code, and tap Submit.
3. Scan all devices again, one by one.
In the next steps, you can add tokens to your wallet or skip this step and do it later. BTC and ETH are added by default to the app's home page.
For a step-by-step guide with illustrations, see our blog article: Importing a wallet using a seed phrase in Tangem.
Important: This information is valid for the second-generation Tangem Wallets or later.