> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://hinkal-team.gitbook.io/hinkal/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://hinkal-team.gitbook.io/hinkal/hinkal-wallet/getting-started/onboarding.md).

# Onboarding

Create your first wallet, import with your existing seed phrase, or proceed with legacy version if you had hinkal wallet before the update.

**Hinkal Wallet onboarding is designed to be simple, secure, and fully self-custodial.**

From the welcome screen you can:

* Create a new wallet
* Import an existing wallet
* Continue with Google

If you used Hinkal Wallet before the update, see [**Migrating from the legacy version**](#migrating-from-the-legacy-version) below - legacy accounts need a one-time recovery before you can continue.

***

#### Create a New Wallet

(Welcome screen → Create a wallet)<br>

1. **Set your password**

Create a password for your wallet. This password unlocks your wallet on this device only. If you forget it, you can recover access using your recovery phrase.

<div><figure><img src="https://400260740-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FUoGzqKrjqkoPsx76Zeb7%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-7b1fb0c745a0def74a0a9a259184d7ec6cb97109%2FScreenshot%202026-09-03%20at%202.31.41%E2%80%AFPM.png?alt=media" alt="" width="375"><figcaption></figcaption></figure> <figure><img src="https://400260740-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FUoGzqKrjqkoPsx76Zeb7%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-2fd77b1cfc66dee947185495c0f4c2b47b6fa1d8%2FScreenshot%202026-09-03%20at%202.32.23%E2%80%AFPM.png?alt=media" alt="" width="375"><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>

2. **Review the security notice**

Before proceeding, you'll see an important reminder: your recovery phrase gives full access to your wallet, and anyone with it can control your funds. Make sure you are in a **private** environment before continuing.

<figure><img src="https://400260740-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FUoGzqKrjqkoPsx76Zeb7%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-246f7ac7af0f52748c923fcccbe52f4d26bc5cc8%2FScreenshot%202026-09-03%20at%202.33.38%E2%80%AFPM.png?alt=media" alt="" width="375"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

3. **Generate your recovery phrase**

Hinkal generates a unique 12-word recovery phrase. This is the only way to restore your wallet. **Store it securely, never share it, and never enter it anywhere except inside your wallet.**

<figure><img src="https://400260740-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FUoGzqKrjqkoPsx76Zeb7%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-083b3985e65ffa173b05498d582bd37f9276d2fd%2FScreenshot%202026-09-03%20at%202.35.08%E2%80%AFPM.png?alt=media" alt="" width="375"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

4. **Save and confirm your recovery phrase**

After saving it, you'll re-enter the phrase to confirm you've stored it correctly.

<figure><img src="https://400260740-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FUoGzqKrjqkoPsx76Zeb7%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-913b5cc57256583a265c6d18d3b57aab72d82d17%2FScreenshot%202026-09-03%20at%202.35.52%E2%80%AFPM.png?alt=media" alt="" width="375"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

5. **Create a username (optional)**

Used for personalization; can be changed later.

<figure><img src="https://400260740-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FUoGzqKrjqkoPsx76Zeb7%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-5c0c1b6ec0baa00c6305d8abff3895d3ac993138%2FScreenshot%202026-09-03%20at%202.36.36%E2%80%AFPM.png?alt=media" alt="" width="375"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

6. **Wallet ready**

Click ***Start your Privacy Journey*** to continue.

<figure><img src="https://400260740-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FUoGzqKrjqkoPsx76Zeb7%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-98eba66b7ddc842dcf47a67ad35b3f3bbbd7241c%2FScreenshot%202026-09-03%20at%202.36.57%E2%80%AFPM.png?alt=media" alt="" width="375"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

7. **Unlock your wallet**

You're now set up and **ready** to use Hinkal.

<figure><img src="https://400260740-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FUoGzqKrjqkoPsx76Zeb7%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-095b424e0634f3a2c868379b2dd9b4ef03fb2dbb%2FScreenshot%202026-09-03%20at%202.38.22%E2%80%AFPM.png?alt=media" alt="" width="176"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

***

#### Import a Wallet

Use this option if you already have a wallet with a recovery phrase. (Welcome screen → Import a wallet)

1. **Set your password**

Create a local password for this device.

<div><figure><img src="https://400260740-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FUoGzqKrjqkoPsx76Zeb7%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-7b1fb0c745a0def74a0a9a259184d7ec6cb97109%2FScreenshot%202026-09-03%20at%202.31.41%E2%80%AFPM.png?alt=media" alt="" width="375"><figcaption></figcaption></figure> <figure><img src="https://400260740-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FUoGzqKrjqkoPsx76Zeb7%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-2fd77b1cfc66dee947185495c0f4c2b47b6fa1d8%2FScreenshot%202026-09-03%20at%202.32.23%E2%80%AFPM.png?alt=media" alt="" width="375"><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>

2. **Enter your existing recovery phrase**

Input the 12-word recovery phrase from your existing wallet. This restores your wallet and all associated accounts.

<figure><img src="https://400260740-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FUoGzqKrjqkoPsx76Zeb7%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-499bbebfa30a5d0a6fe9c2b66e8d08652656af2f%2FScreenshot%202026-09-03%20at%202.42.38%E2%80%AFPM.png?alt=media" alt="" width="375"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

3. **Wallet ready**

Click ***Start your Privacy Journey*** to continue.

<figure><img src="https://400260740-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FUoGzqKrjqkoPsx76Zeb7%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-eaa9e93abacd3a51205410fae56d56220a9b74f5%2FScreenshot%202026-09-03%20at%202.43.08%E2%80%AFPM.png?alt=media" alt="" width="375"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

4. **Access your wallet**

You're now set up and **ready** to use Hinkal.

<figure><img src="https://400260740-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FUoGzqKrjqkoPsx76Zeb7%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-a5df157c14a0cee0dfd228ed491ccb62e0a64f42%2FScreenshot%202026-09-03%20at%202.43.53%E2%80%AFPM.png?alt=media" alt="" width="176"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

***

#### Continue with Google

(Welcome screen → Continue with Google)

1. **Sign in with Google**

Choose the Google account you want to use.

2. **Set your password**

Create a local password for this device.

3. **Wallet ready**

Click ***Start your Privacy Journey*** to continue.

4. **Access your wallet**

You're now set up and **ready** to use Hinkal.

\[step image tabs]

***

#### Migrating from the legacy version

Hinkal has retired its old contracts. Accounts created in the legacy version - whether you connected an external wallet, imported an account, or signed in with Google - are no longer supported and cannot be used for new onboarding.

If you had a Hinkal wallet before the update, you need to recover it once, then move to the **new** version. Opening the legacy wallet shows a screen titled ***This account type is no longer supported*** with the steps below.

#### **What you need to do**

Things that are required:

1. On the onboarding page, lick ***Back to Legacy version.*** Onboard the same way you did previously before the update.

<figure><img src="https://400260740-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FUoGzqKrjqkoPsx76Zeb7%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-5e490a5f26548b935e3b7f4934ae52441fdcbda1%2FScreenshot%202026-09-03%20at%202.46.04%E2%80%AFPM.png?alt=media" alt="" width="375"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

2. **Request recovery of your private balance**

After you onboard, the wallet displays a page with information. Click ***Fund Recovery*** and submit the request. Recovery is not instant - the request is processed by Hinkal and your private balance is returned once it completes.

<div><figure><img src="https://400260740-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FUoGzqKrjqkoPsx76Zeb7%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-d78687cc2c33e54867fb0d48d3b379ad0460e4eb%2FScreenshot%202026-09-03%20at%201.53.36%E2%80%AFPM.png?alt=media" alt="" width="178"><figcaption></figcaption></figure> <figure><img src="https://400260740-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FUoGzqKrjqkoPsx76Zeb7%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-4788176abd4f4eaa6110abc078350f3f8d12927d%2FScreenshot%202026-09-03%20at%202.54.47%E2%80%AFPM.png?alt=media" alt="" width="172"><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>

3. **Copy and securely save every private key**

Click ***Copy all private keys***. This covers every account and every network (EVM and Solana).

3. **Reinstall Hinkal Wallet** from the official Chrome Web Store link.
4. **Complete onboarding** in the new version and create a new wallet (see [Create a New Wallet](#create-a-new-wallet) above).
5. **Import each saved private key** to restore access to the corresponding addresses.

#### **Important**

* Do not uninstall Hinkal Wallet until you have submitted your recovery request ***and*** saved every EVM and Solana private key for every account.
* Never share your private keys with anyone.

#### **Still on the legacy welcome screen?**

The legacy version remains available **only for recovery.** On the new welcome screen, click ***Back to Legacy version***, then ***Get Started*** to reach your old wallet. Once you've completed the steps above, you won't need it again.

***

### Which path should I choose?

| Path                 | For                                                                             |
| -------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Create a wallet      | New users. Full self-custody with a new recovery phrase.                        |
| Import a wallet      | Restoring a wallet from an existing recovery phrase.                            |
| Continue with Google | New users who prefer a Google sign-in.                                          |
| Legacy version       | Only for recovering a wallet created before the update. Not for new onboarding. |

#### Important notes

* Hinkal is fully self-custodial
* Your recovery phrase is the only backup
* Hinkal cannot recover your wallet if you lose it

<br>