Your Simple wallet is self-custodial — only you can access your assets. That also means only you can restore them. Your recovery code is what makes that possible, so it is worth two minutes to understand where it lives.
What the recovery code is
When your wallet is created, Simple generates a 16-character recovery code and sends it to your email. It looks like this:
ABCD-EFGH-JKLM-NPQR
This code unlocks your wallet on any device after you sign in. Without it, your wallet cannot be opened — by you, or by anyone else.
Simple never sees your recovery code and cannot recover it for you. We can resend the email that contains it, and that is the only copy we can help you with.
Where your recovery code is saved
Your wallet is created without any extra steps from you, and your code is saved automatically in several places so you always have a way back.
1. On your phone The code is stored in your device's secure storage as soon as your wallet is created. This is what lets you open your wallet without typing anything.
2. In your email You receive an email containing the code as text and as a QR code. Keep this email — it is the only place where you can actually read your code.
3. In your iCloud Keychain (iPhone) Your code is also written to your iCloud Keychain, so it can travel to your next iPhone. This only works if iCloud Keychain is turned on in your iOS settings. If it is off, the app will tell you and offer to open Settings.
4. In your Google Drive You can back up your code to your own Google Drive. This is the most reliable backup, because Simple can confirm it was saved. The file is stored in a private app folder, so you will not see it among your documents and cannot delete it by accident.
Complete your security setup
Open the app and tap the Security level banner on your main screen, or go to Settings → Security → Backup & recovery. You will see a short checklist:
Step | What it does |
Verify email | Confirms where your recovery code is sent |
PIN code | Protects the app on your device |
iCloud backup (iPhone) | Sends your code to your iCloud Keychain |
Google Drive backup | Saves a confirmed copy to your own Drive |
Verify recovery code | You enter the code from the email, so we know you have it |
You can complete the steps in any order. The last step matters most: entering the code from your email is how you prove — to yourself — that your backup actually works.
You can skip the Google Drive step, but we do not recommend it. On an iPhone with iCloud Keychain turned off, Google Drive is your only confirmed backup.
How to restore your wallet on a new phone
Install Simple on the new device and sign in to your account as usual.
Wait a moment. If your code is in your iCloud Keychain or your Google Drive, the app finds it and opens your wallet automatically. Most people never see anything else.
If it cannot be found, the Unlock your wallet screen appears with two options:
Google Drive — the fastest route if you backed up there.
Email — find our email with your recovery code, then type the code in or scan the QR code from the email.
Your wallet opens and your assets are back. The code is saved on this device too, so you will not need to type it again.
Can't find the email? The subject line is intentionally plain, so search your inbox for messages from Simple — and check your Archive and Spam folders. If it is not there, contact support and we will resend it.
Keep your code safe
Never share your recovery code with anyone. Anyone who has it can take your assets, and the transfer cannot be reversed.
Simple support will never ask for it. If someone claiming to be Simple asks for your recovery code, PIN or private key, it is a scam. Our only support address is the one shown on this help center.
Do not store it in a screenshot. Screenshots go to your photo library and from there into cloud backups, which is one of the most common ways people lose access.
If you have already shared your code with someone, contact support immediately.
Frequently asked questions
Can Simple send me my recovery code? No. We never store it. We can only resend the original email that contains it.
Can Simple restore my wallet without the code? No. Self-custody means there is no master key and no back door — that is exactly what protects your assets.
Where do I see my recovery code inside the app? You don't. The app never displays it; the email is the only place it is shown.
Can I change my recovery code? Not at the moment. Changing it requires your current code, and there is no reset option.
I backed up to Google Drive but I don't see any file. That is expected. The backup lives in a hidden app folder that only Simple can read, so it cannot be moved or deleted by mistake.
The code from the email doesn't work. The code is not case-sensitive and the dashes are only there for readability — you can type it with or without them. If it still does not work, contact support and include the date of the email you used.
I lost my phone and I don't have the code anywhere. Then the wallet cannot be opened. This is the trade-off of self-custody, and it is why the security setup checklist is worth completing while you still can. Your account itself stays accessible — you can sign in and see your balances.