If you’ve forgotten your MetaMask password, there are several ways to regain access. The simplest and most direct method is to restore your wallet using your secret recovery phrase (also known as a seed phrase). However, if your recovery phrase is lost but you still have the wallet files, it’s often possible to recover the password itself with professional intervention.
This article will explain your options, focusing on the crucial difference between your password and your recovery phrase, and guide you through the steps to get back into your account.
If you’ve lost access to crypto, we’re here to help. Datarecovery.com provides crypto recovery services with a no data, no charge guarantee and free evaluations. To get started, call 1-800-237-4200 or open a ticket online.
The Password vs. The Secret Recovery Phrase
Understanding the difference between these two credentials is an important concept when you’re using a self-custodial wallet like MetaMask.
- MetaMask Password: This is a password you create for a single installation of MetaMask on a specific browser or mobile device. Its only purpose is to encrypt your Secret Recovery Phrase on that device’s local storage. If you use MetaMask on your laptop and your phone, you could have two different passwords.
- Secret Recovery Phrase (SRP): This is a unique 12-word phrase that was generated when you first created your wallet. This phrase is the true master key — it can be used to regenerate and access your wallet on any device in the world.
Anyone who has your seed phrase has complete control of your funds. That includes you, of course — so if you’ve got the recovery phrase, you can simply recreate your wallet (and take better care of your MetaMask password in the future!).
How to Restore Your Wallet with Your Secret Recovery Phrase
If you have safely stored your 12-word Secret Recovery Phrase, you are in a good position. You’ll remove the current locked installation, then import your wallet back using the phrase.
Note: The following steps will completely remove the current locked MetaMask installation from your device. Do not proceed unless you are 100% certain you have your correct Secret Recovery Phrase written down. Without it, this action will result in the loss of your funds.
- Locate Your Secret Recovery Phrase. Find the 12 words you wrote down when you first set up your wallet. Ensure they are legible and you know the correct order.
- Uninstall MetaMask. You must completely remove the extension or app from your device.
- Reinstall MetaMask. Go to the official MetaMask website (metamask.io) and download the extension or mobile app again. Double-check the URL — as is the case with all crypto services, MetaMask is a target for bad actors, so take care to avoid phishing scams.
- Begin the Restoration. After reinstalling, choose the option that says “Import an existing wallet” or “Import using Secret Recovery Phrase.”
- Enter Your Secret Recovery Phrase. You will be prompted to enter your 12-word phrase. Type each word carefully in the correct order, with a single space between each word.
- Create a New Password. Once your phrase is verified, MetaMask will prompt you to create a new, strong password.
After completing these steps, your wallet, accounts, and balances should be fully restored. You may need to manually re-add any custom networks or tokens.
What If You Don’t Have Your Secret Recovery Phrase?
If you have forgotten your password and you have lost or do not have access to your full Secret Recovery Phrase, your funds are generally considered inaccessible through standard means. However, there’s still hope; call 1-800-237-4200 to review these options with an expert.
The first option: Recover the MetaMask password. Datarecovery.com has specialized tools that can programmatically test the millions of possible combinations to find the valid one that corresponds to your MetaMask wallet.
While a standard brute-force attack (trying every possible character combination) is almost never successful against a strong password, our labs use more advanced, targeted password recovery methods. If you have some idea of your password — such as common patterns you use, parts you remember, or a list of potential candidates — we can apply sophisticated rules and powerful hardware to intelligently test for variations. It’s a targeted approach, and it’s significantly more effective than a blind brute-force attempt.
The second option: Recover the Secret Recovery Phrase. If you have most of your words but are missing one or two, or you are unsure of the correct order, recovery may be possible. This is because MetaMask SRPs are generated using a standard called BIP39. To learn more, read: What Is the BIP39 Word List and How Does It Work?
Contact Datarecovery.com at 1-800-237-4200 for a free evaluation or submit a case online.
