> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.parallaxprotocol.org/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Accounts in Parallax Wallet

> The kinds of accounts Parallax Wallet holds, and how to create, import, back up and remove them.

An account is an address that holds LAX, and the key that can spend it.
Parallax Wallet keeps every key encrypted with your wallet password, and
groups your accounts by kind, in the account switcher at the top of the
sidebar and in **Settings → Accounts**:

| Kind | What it is |
| - | - |
| **Recovery phrases** | Accounts from a 12 or 24-word phrase. One phrase backs up every account made from it, now or later. |
| **Single keys** | One account with a key of its own, from a private key or a keystore file. Its backup is the keystore file. |
| **Hardware wallets** | Accounts whose keys stay on a Ledger or Trezor, which confirms every send. See [Hardware wallets](./hardware-wallets). |
| **Watch-only** | An address you follow without its key, such as one kept on an [offline signer](./offline-signing). |

For how accounts and addresses work in general, see
[Accounts & addresses](../wallets/accounts).

***

## Create an account

In **Settings → Accounts**, choose **Create accounts**:

* **New recovery phrase** (recommended) — 24 words, or 12 with **Use 12
  words instead**. Write them down on paper; the app asks you to type a
  few back to make sure. The words work in MetaMask and most other
  wallets.
* **New single key** — one account with a key of its own, backed up as an
  encrypted keystore file.
* **New account from this phrase** — the next account from a recovery
  phrase you already have, backed up by the same words.

***

## Import an account

In **Settings → Accounts**, choose **Import accounts**:

* **Import a recovery phrase** — 12 to 24 words from MetaMask or another
  wallet. The app looks for the accounts you've used and ticks them for
  you to confirm.
* **Import a key** — a keystore file with its file password, or a private
  key typed in.
* **Connect a hardware wallet** — a Ledger or a Trezor; see
  [Hardware wallets](./hardware-wallets).
* **Watch an address** — only the address comes in, by scanning its QR
  code or typing it; see [Offline signing](./offline-signing).

### Finding the right accounts

Wallets keep a phrase's accounts along different paths. If the accounts
you expect don't appear, look along the path the other wallet used:

| Path | Used by |
| - | - |
| **Standard** | MetaMask, Trezor Suite and most wallets |
| **Ledger Live** | Ledger Live |
| **Legacy** | Older wallets, such as MyEtherWallet |

***

## Managing your accounts

From **Settings → Accounts** you can:

* **Rename** an account.
* **Show** a recovery phrase, after typing your wallet password.
* **Save backup** of a single key: its encrypted keystore file, written
  where you choose. It opens with the wallet password you had when you
  saved it.
* **Remove** an account, or a recovery phrase with all its accounts. The
  app warns you and asks you to confirm first: without a backup, removed
  keys can't be brought back.

An account that hasn't been backed up yet is marked **No backup**.

<Warning>
  Anyone with your recovery phrase or a single key's backup and its password
  can take your LAX. Keep them offline and private; see
  [Keeping your wallet safe](../wallets/keep-safe).
</Warning>


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