How to Create a Tezos Wallet in 2026: Step-by-Step

A Tezos wallet does two jobs. It stores the keys that prove you own an account, and it signs transactions so the network accepts them. Tezos is a proof-of-stake blockchain, and its native asset is XTZ. Your XTZ balance lives on the chain, not inside the wallet app. The wallet only holds the keys needed to control that balance.

This matters because the keys are the ownership. If someone else gets your keys or seed phrase, they can move your XTZ. If you lose them, nobody, including the wallet developer, can restore access. Most Tezos wallets are non-custodial, which means the wallet generates keys on your device and never holds your funds on a company server.

A typical wallet creates a set of keys from a seed phrase, a list of random words that encodes the master secret. From that phrase it derives one or more accounts. Each account has a public address that you can share to receive XTZ, and a private key that you never share.

Before you create anything, be clear on the difference between an address and a key. An address is like an account number. Anyone can see it on a block explorer and send funds to it. A key or seed phrase is the password and signature combined. Treat the seed phrase as the most sensitive item you will handle in this process.

Tezos wallets come in several forms. Choosing the right one depends on where you plan to use it and how much you plan to hold.

• Web wallets run in a browser tab. They are quick to set up, but you must confirm the page address every time you visit.
• Browser extension wallets sit in your browser toolbar and connect to websites that support Tezos. They suit people who use Tezos apps often on a desktop.
• Mobile wallets run on a phone and are convenient for everyday receiving and sending.
• Hardware wallets keep private keys on a dedicated device. The signing happens on the device, which reduces exposure to a compromised computer.

Public reporting for this topic mention several Tezos-focused options, including Kukai as a web wallet, Temple as a browser extension and TezBox as a mobile and web option. Wallet names, features and supported platforms change over time, so check each developer's own site or documentation before you install anything.

Some hardware wallets support Tezos through their own apps or through a companion wallet. Confirm the current list of supported Tezos features on the vendor's website. A hardware wallet adds protection, but it does not remove the need for a good seed phrase backup.

For a first wallet, many people pick one browser-based option for everyday use and keep a larger balance in a hardware-backed account. You can always create a second wallet later.

Set aside a few minutes before you start, and make sure the environment is clean.

• Use a device you trust. Keep your operating system and browser updated, and avoid computers shared with others.
• Close unrelated tabs and disable screen sharing or remote-control software during setup.
• Write your seed phrase on paper or metal. Do not photograph it, type it into a note app, or save it in a cloud document.
• Find a private place. Anyone who sees your screen or your paper can copy the phrase.
• Only use the official download page for the wallet. Public reporting can include lookalike pages, so bookmark the official site after you verify it.
• Never enter your seed phrase on a site that asked you to connect or verify your wallet. A genuine wallet setup flow only asks you to write the phrase down when you create the wallet.

Also decide how much you will hold. A small amount for testing is a reasonable starting point. You can add more once you have confirmed your backup and recovery steps work.

Finally, think about recovery. Where will the paper go? Who else needs to know it exists? A good plan lets you recover access if your device breaks, without giving anyone else a copy.

Once you have chosen a wallet, follow these steps on the official site or app store listing you verified.

1. Open the wallet's official page and confirm the address in the browser bar. For mobile, install from the official app store entry and check the publisher name.
2. Install the browser extension or open the web app. Read any warnings the wallet displays.
3. Select the option to create a new wallet. Avoid options that ask you to import a phrase unless you already have one from a wallet you control.
4. Set a strong password that protects the wallet on this device. This password usually does not replace the seed phrase, so do not treat it as a backup.
5. Wait for the wallet to finish generating keys. Do not close the window until it confirms that the account is ready.

If the wallet asks you to connect a hardware device, follow the on-screen steps for that device and make sure its firmware is current. Check your hardware vendor's instructions for the exact sequence.

At the end of setup, the wallet should show an address beginning with a Tezos prefix and a zero balance. A zero balance is normal for a new account. Keep the wallet open only as long as you need it, and lock it when you step away.

The seed phrase is your master backup. The wallet will display it, usually as a list of words in a fixed order, and ask you to confirm it.

Write each word carefully, with its number. Check the spelling and the order. Store the phrase offline in a place that is safe from fire, water and theft. Metal backup plates are one option for long-term storage.

Do not store the phrase in a password manager that is connected to the internet, in email, in a screenshot or in a messaging app. Do not split the phrase into parts and store them in the same place, because that offers little protection if the location is compromised.

When the wallet asks you to confirm the phrase, enter the words in the order shown. This step proves that you wrote them down correctly. If a word is wrong, the wallet cannot restore your account later.

Test your backup. Some people use a second device or a test account to confirm that restoring from the phrase produces the same address. Only do this on a device you trust, and never type the real phrase into a site you have not verified.

If you ever suspect that someone has seen your phrase, move funds to a new wallet created with a new seed phrase as soon as possible, and stop using the old one.

Tezos uses several address prefixes, and it helps to recognize them before you send or receive funds.

• tz1 addresses use the Ed25519 signature scheme and are the most common format for personal accounts.
• tz2 addresses use secp256k1, the curve familiar from some other blockchains.
• tz3 addresses use the P-256 curve. Support for different curves depends on the wallet and the software you use.
• KT1 addresses are smart contract addresses, not personal accounts. You will usually see them when interacting with apps rather than when receiving XTZ from a person.

The prefix tells you the signature type of the account. It does not tell you the balance or the security of the wallet. Two addresses with the same prefix can belong to different people, and the wallet you use decides which types it can create.

Always copy addresses from the wallet itself or from the official page of the service you are paying. Do not retype them by hand. Compare the first and last few characters after pasting, and confirm the full address if the amount is large.

If a website asks for a tz3 address and your wallet does not support that curve, the transfer may fail or the account may not work with that service. Check the requirements in the wallet and the destination service before you send.

To receive XTZ, copy your address from the wallet and send it to the sender. Use a copy button rather than typing, and check the first and last characters after you paste.

Before sending a larger amount, make a small test transfer. Send a small amount of XTZ from an exchange or another wallet you control. Wait for it to appear in your wallet and check the transaction on a Tezos block explorer. Find the transaction hash and confirm that the sending and receiving addresses match what you expected.

Tezos accounts have a public key that is revealed on chain the first time the account sends a transaction. Many wallets handle this automatically, but it can add a small step to your first outgoing transfer. Read the confirmation screen before you approve anything.

Fees and network conditions can change. Check the fee estimate in your wallet before you confirm, and avoid approving transactions you did not start yourself.

Be careful with exchange withdrawals. Some exchanges ask for a memo or tag for some networks. Tezos transfers generally do not use a memo, but confirm the requirements on the exchange's current withdrawal page. Once funds are sent, blockchain transfers are usually irreversible.

Keep a record of your test transaction hash, in case you need to show support where the funds went.

Most problems with new wallets come from a few avoidable habits.

• Entering the seed phrase on a fake website or a support chat that asked for it. Legitimate wallets do not need your phrase to help you.
• Installing a copy of the wallet from a link in a message or an ad. Use the official site or app store listing you verified.
• Sending a large amount before testing. A small test transfer costs very little and can reveal address mistakes.
• Assuming a password is a backup. The password only protects the app on that device. The seed phrase is what restores the account.
• Storing the phrase digitally. Photos, cloud notes and email drafts can be accessed by others.
• Reusing one phrase across many wallets for different purposes. A single leak then affects all of them.

If you lose a device, do not panic. As long as you have your seed phrase or hardware backup, you can install the same wallet on a new device and restore the account. Enter the phrase on the official app only, and check the restored address matches the one you recorded.

If you lose the seed phrase and no device still holds the account, there is usually no recovery path that the wallet developer can provide. Keep your backup safe from the start.

If you think a site or person has taken control of your wallet, move any remaining funds to a new wallet from a clean device as soon as you can, and report what happened to the wallet developer's support channels.