Losing access to your digital assets can be a stressful experience—especially when it involves cryptocurrency wallets. Whether you've forgotten your password or misplaced your recovery phrase, understanding the difference between wallet types is crucial to regaining control. This guide walks you through the recovery process for both Blockchain.com Accounts (custodial) and DeFi Wallets (non-custodial), helping you protect your funds and avoid irreversible losses.
Understanding Your Blockchain Wallet – Why It Matters
Not all wallets are created equal. The path to recovery depends entirely on which type of wallet you're trying to access:
- DeFi Wallet (Non-Custodial): You are fully in control. No third party, including Blockchain.com, can recover your wallet.
- Blockchain.com Account (Custodial): Managed with identity verification. Blockchain.com can assist in restoring access to your custodial funds.
Knowing this distinction is essential—it could mean the difference between recovering your assets or losing them forever.
DeFi Wallet (Non-Custodial) – Full Control Comes With Full Responsibility
A DeFi Wallet gives you complete autonomy over your private keys and funds. This means:
- 🔐 You alone hold the keys: Blockchain.com does not store or manage your private information.
- 📝 Recovery Phrase is everything: Your 12-word Recovery Phrase is the only way to restore access.
- ❌ No backup option: If you lose both your password and Recovery Phrase, your wallet and its contents are permanently inaccessible.
👉 Secure your crypto future—learn how to safely store your Recovery Phrase today.
Pro Tip: Write down your Recovery Phrase on paper, store it in a secure location (like a fireproof safe), and never share it online or via digital messages.
Blockchain.com Account (Custodial) – Recovery Is Possible With Identity Verification
Unlike non-custodial wallets, custodial accounts allow Blockchain.com to help you regain access. These accounts support features like buying, selling, swapping, and earning rewards—all tied to verified identity.
- ✅ Password reset available: You can recover your account without a Recovery Phrase.
- 🔄 New DeFi Wallet created: Resetting your password generates a new wallet, unlinking the original one.
- 🛡️ Identity re-verification may be required: To unlock full functionality, you might need to confirm your identity again.
⚠️ Critical Warning: Resetting your password without using your original Recovery Phrase means you’ll lose access to any funds in your old DeFi Wallet—unless you still have that 12-word phrase.
Recover Your Account Using Your Recovery Phrase (Recommended Method)
Use this method if you want to restore both your custodial account and your original DeFi Wallet. This ensures continuity of access to all your funds.
If you don’t have your 12-word Recovery Phrase, skip ahead to the password reset section—but understand that your original DeFi Wallet will not be restored.
📌 Important: Choosing password reset over Recovery Phrase recovery creates a new DeFi Wallet. Your old one becomes unlinked and inaccessible unless you have the original Recovery Phrase.
How to Recover on Desktop
- Visit https://login.blockchain.com/en/#/recover
- Click "I forgot my password"
- Enter your 12-word Recovery Phrase
- Click "Recover Account"
- Create a new password
- Log in—your wallet is now recovered
- Re-verify your identity if prompted to access custodial services
✅ This method preserves your original DeFi Wallet and all associated funds.
How to Recover on iOS or Android
- Open the Blockchain.com app and tap "Restore" on the login screen
- Input your full 12-word Recovery Phrase
- Tap "Restore Wallet"
- Set a new password and confirm it
- Create a new PIN for app security
- Complete identity verification if required
📌 Note: Imported addresses and their balances are not restored through this process.
Reset Your Password (For Custodial Accounts Only)
Use this option only if:
- You’ve lost access to your password
- You do not have your 12-word Recovery Phrase
- You only need access to custodial funds (e.g., purchased crypto via Buy/Sell)
⚠️ Warning: Resetting your password without the Recovery Phrase will create a new DeFi Wallet. Your previous DeFi funds remain locked in the old wallet.
What Happens When You Reset Your Password?
- A new DeFi Wallet is automatically generated
- You receive a new 12-word Recovery Phrase for future use
- Your original DeFi Wallet remains intact—but only accessible with its original Recovery Phrase
- Blockchain.com cannot recover lost phrases or passwords for non-custodial wallets
🚨 Common Error Alert: If you try logging in with an old Wallet ID and password after resetting, you may see:
"Your wallet is linked to another account."
This occurs because a new wallet was created during reset.
👉 Get expert support to resolve login issues quickly and securely.
Step-by-Step: Reset Your Password
- Go to https://login.blockchain.com/en/#/recover
- Click "I forgot my password"
- Enter your registered email address
- Check your inbox for "Recover your account" email
- Click "Start account recovery"
- Return to the original tab; wait for it to update
- Click "Proceed to reset password"
- Enter and confirm a new password
- Set up Two-Factor Authentication (recommended)
- Access your dashboard
✨ Some users may need to re-upload ID documents to regain full access to custodial features.
If You’ve Lost Both Your Password and Recovery Phrase
If you’ve lost both credentials:
- ✅ Custodial funds: Still recoverable via email-based password reset
- ❌ DeFi Wallet funds: Irretrievable without the 12-word phrase
- 🔍 Consider exploring professional crypto recovery services—though success is not guaranteed
💡 Always assume that non-custodial wallets are "use at your own risk." There is no safety net.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Can Blockchain.com recover my lost Recovery Phrase?
A: No. For non-custodial wallets, only you hold the keys. Neither Blockchain.com nor any third party can regenerate or retrieve your Recovery Phrase.
Q: Will resetting my password affect my custodial balance?
A: No. Your custodial funds (purchased via Buy/Sell, Swap, etc.) remain safe and accessible after password reset and identity verification.
Q: Can I link my old DeFi Wallet back after resetting my password?
A: Only if you have the original 12-word Recovery Phrase. Without it, the old wallet is permanently inaccessible.
Q: What should I do if I forgot my Wallet ID?
A: Use the “Forgot Wallet ID?” option on the login page and follow the instructions sent to your email.
Q: Is Two-Factor Authentication required after recovery?
A: It’s optional but highly recommended for enhanced security.
Q: Do imported addresses come back after recovery?
A: No. Balances from imported external wallets are not restored during account recovery.
Core Keywords:
- blockchain wallet recovery
- recover blockchain.com account
- DeFi wallet recovery
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- non-custodial wallet access
- custodial account recovery
👉 Maximize your crypto security—discover best practices for wallet management and recovery.