2. Getting started

What is PortaWallet?

PortaWallet is a self-custody smart-account wallet. Your keys are protected by your unlock password and stored on your device. Porta can't see your secret phrase and can't reset your password.

PortaWallet runs on seven networks: Ethereum, Polygon, Arbitrum, Base, Avalanche, Optimism and BNB Chain (see Networks). You can use it on Telegram, Android, iOS, the web, or as a browser extension (see Platforms & getting the app).

Create a new wallet

1. On the welcome screen, tap Create a new wallet.
   • Telegram and web show the title Porta awaits! and "Start fresh with a new wallet or bring your existing wallet with you."
   • Platform note: The Android and iOS welcome screen says Welcome to Porta with Get started. Its options screen says Almost there! and the button is Create new wallet.
2. Create your unlock password. See Your unlock password.
3. Read the secret phrase tips. The Secret phrase info screen explains why the phrase matters. Tap Confirm and continue.
   • On Telegram and web, I'll do this later is shown but disabled, so you can't skip backing up.
   • Platform note: Android has I'll do it later and supports a "set up secret phrase later" path. See Open questions.
4. Write down your secret phrase. The Secret phrase screen shows your 12 words. Write them down somewhere offline and make sure nobody can see your screen. Copy to clipboard is available, but writing the words on paper is safer. When you're done, tap I've saved my secret phrase.
5. Confirm your secret phrase. On Confirm secret phrase, tap the 4 missing words in the right order. Then tap Continue. While your wallet is set up, the button reads Creating wallet….
   • If you pick the wrong words, you'll see Words don't match: "The words you chose don't match your secret phrase. Clear and try again."
   • If you already have a phrase, tap Import instead.

Import an existing wallet

1. On the welcome screen, tap Import my wallet.
2. Create an unlock password for this device. The screen title is Import wallet — create unlock password and it says "You'll enter your secret phrase next."
3. On Your secret phrase, paste or type your phrase into the Secret phrase field. Then tap Import my wallet. While it works, the button reads Importing wallet…. On Android, a Paste button is also available.

What counts as a valid phrase:

• It must be 12 or 24 English words from the standard BIP-39 list.
• PortaWallet cleans up pasted text for you: numbering, commas, curly quotes and capital letters are all fine.
• If the word count is wrong, you'll see Enter a valid 12 or 24-word secret phrase.
• If the words don't form a valid phrase, you'll see Those words aren't a valid secret phrase. Check the spelling and try again.

Your unlock password

Your unlock password encrypts your wallet on this device. You enter it each time you unlock.

• Rule: at least 8 characters. If it's shorter, you'll see Use at least 8 characters. (Android: "Master password must be at least 8 characters").
• Strength meter: the screen shows Password status: strong / medium / too weak, along with a checklist: 1 UPPERCASE letter, 1 lowercase letter, 1 number, 1 special symbol. A longer password with all four is stronger. The checklist's length line currently reads "Min 12 characters", but only 8 are required. See Open questions.
• Fields: Create password and Confirm password:. The errors are Password is required., Please confirm your password. and Passwords do not match.
• Saving: Save password and continue stays disabled until both fields are valid.
• Important notice! You can't recover this password if you lose it! Write it down and keep it offline. Don't reuse a password from another site.
• Platform note: Android and iOS call this a master password. On the browser extension, the password must be 12–63 characters with upper case, lower case, a number and a symbol.
• Platform note (Android): Its title is Create a master password and the confirm field is Confirm Master Password. Android may let you continue with a weak password after a Password Alert.
• Platform note (iOS): iOS shows the same strength checklist. Use at least 8 characters, as on the other platforms.

Unlock your wallet

On the Unlock screen, enter your Unlock password and tap Unlock. While it works, the button reads Unlocking….

• Telegram: if your device supports Telegram's biometric unlock, PortaWallet can unlock you automatically.
• Android: you can also unlock with "or use biometric authorization".
• iOS: you can unlock with Face ID or Touch ID.
• Android and iOS: the unlock screen also has Log out of this device.
• If you entered the wrong password, you'll see Incorrect unlock password. Try again, or import with your secret phrase.
• If opening takes too long, you'll see Couldn't open your wallet: "Opening took too long. Check your connection and try again." Tap Try again, or Create or import instead.

Forgot your unlock password?

Tap Forgot unlock password?.

Porta can't reset your unlock password. If you have your secret phrase, you can import your wallet again.

Tap Import with secret phrase, set a new unlock password, and enter your 12 or 24 words. If you've lost both your password and your secret phrase, nobody can recover the wallet, Porta included.

Using PortaWallet in a browser

In the web app, or if you open the Mini App's page outside Telegram, you'll see this:

You're using Porta in a browser. Create, import, and unlock work here — this session is stored on this device only (not Telegram CloudStorage) and may be temporary. Open the Mini App in Telegram to keep a Telegram session.

• Sign in with Continue with email.
• "Google sign-in isn't available in the browser yet. Use email."
• When you create a new account, PortaWallet asks you to check your email to activate it, then sign in again.