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Creating a New Profile⚓︎

This page explains what a wallet profile is and how to create a new one from scratch.
If you have a backup of a previous profile and want to restore it, follow the Importing a Profile tutorial instead.

What Is a Profile⚓︎

Profile
A password-protected container that stores multiple accounts on a given device, similar to how profiles work in a browser or operating system.

The Symbol Desktop Wallet is an HD Wallet, which means it can generate multiple accounts from a single mnemonic phrase.
This phrase, also called a seed, is unique to each profile and created during setup.

Each profile includes:

  • The mnemonic phrase, from which account keys can be derived.
  • The list of managed accounts, both derived from the phrase and imported externally.
  • Network settings, such as whether the profile uses Mainnet or Testnet.
  • A password to protect access and encrypt the profile contents.
  • Optional metadata, such as a profile name and password hint, for user convenience.

Profiles help keep things organized and separate, and you can have multiple profiles on the same machine. For example, one for personal use and one for work, each with its own accounts and settings.

Prerequisites⚓︎

  • Make sure you have installed the Symbol Desktop Wallet.
    If you have not done that yet, see the Installing the Wallet guide.

How to Create a Profile⚓︎

Follow these steps to create a new profile in the Symbol Desktop Wallet:

1. Open the Symbol Desktop Wallet and click Create a new profile?
2. Click Create Mnemonic.

To create a new profile, you need a new seed, which will generate the accounts in your profile.
The wallet will generate a unique secret phrase (also called a mnemonic) for you.

3. Fill in your profile details:

Give your profile a name.
This is just for your own reference to help you keep multiple profiles organized.

Select the network type (usually Mainnet).

Enter and confirm a password.

Optionally, add a password hint.
This hint can help jog your memory if you forget the password.

Click Next.

4. Move your mouse around the screen until the progress bar reaches 100%.

This motion is used as a source of randomness (entropy) to help generate a truly unique secret phrase.
It ensures that no two users will ever end up with the same phrase by chance.

5. Click Display mnemonic words to view your secret phrase.
6. Click the copy button to save the phrase.

Paste the phrase somewhere secret and secure, such as an encrypted notes app or a password manager.

Ideally, also copy the phrase by hand onto a piece of paper and store it in a safe place.
Avoid keeping it only on a digital device, which could be lost or compromised.

7. Confirm the phrase by selecting the words in the correct order. Click Next when finished.

This step checks that you have written down the phrase correctly and in the right order.

8. Read the safety tips, accept the Terms and Conditions, and click Finish.

You will be taken to the main screen of the wallet:

Profile created successfully

A first account has already been generated from the seed phrase, so you can start working right away.
For example, you can share the account’s address to receive funds.

If you go to the Accounts tab, you will see this account is named Seed Account 1. You can create more accounts later, and they will be derived from the same seed.

Next Steps⚓︎

Your new profile is now ready to use.