How Seed Phrases Work Across Different Wallets
MetaMask allows users to export only one seed phrase (recovery phrase) but supports creating multiple wallet addresses under the same phrase. When you import this seed phrase into TokenPocket (TP), it will only restore MetaMask's first default address (Address 1).
Practical Solution for Restoring Additional Addresses
To recover other addresses (e.g., Address 2 or 3):
- Export the private keys of those specific addresses from MetaMask.
- Use these private keys to manually restore the corresponding addresses in TP.
👉 Learn how to secure your private keys
Technical Explanation
- A seed phrase generates a root private key, which can derive countless child private keys (each linked to a unique address).
- This hierarchical structure follows the BIP44 protocol, ensuring deterministic address generation: the same seed phrase + same derivation path = same addresses every time.
Cross-Wallet Compatibility
| Scenario | Behavior |
|----------|----------|
| MetaMask → TP | Only Address 1 restored via seed phrase; others require private keys. |
| MetaMask → Mask Network | Addresses differ due to non-standard derivation paths. |
Key Takeaways
- Address order remains consistent across devices if the same derivation path is used (e.g., Address 1, 2, 3 will regenerate identically).
- Wallets like imToken or TP may generate new seed phrases when using "Create New Wallet" instead of deriving from the existing one.
FAQ Section
1. Can I restore all MetaMask addresses with just the seed phrase?
No, only Address 1 restores automatically; other addresses need individual private keys.
2. Why do some wallets show different addresses for the same seed phrase?
Wallets like Mask Network use custom derivation paths, breaking compatibility with BIP44-standard wallets.
3. How do I ensure consistent address generation?
Stick to wallets following BIP44 and avoid those with non-standard indexing.
👉 Explore BIP44-compatible wallets
Best Practices
- Always back up private keys for non-default addresses.
- Verify a wallet’s derivation path before recovery.