How to create a watch-only wallet in Trust Wallet?

You can import a public crypto address into Trust Wallet as a watch-only wallet to monitor balances and transactions without private keys.

Jul 01, 2025 at 06:35 pm

Understanding the Concept of a Watch-Only Wallet

A watch-only wallet allows users to monitor a cryptocurrency address without holding the private keys. This means that you can track balances and transactions, but you won't be able to send or interact with the funds stored in that address. It's particularly useful for tracking addresses belonging to others or for viewing your own wallets from multiple devices securely.

Trust Wallet supports this functionality through its ability to import external addresses as watch-only. The process is straightforward, but it requires careful attention to ensure accuracy and security.

Important: Since the watch-only feature does not grant control over funds, it should never be used for active transactions or sending cryptocurrency.

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Steps to Import an External Address as a Watch-Only Wallet

To begin, open the Trust Wallet app on your mobile device. Navigate to the main wallet interface where all your existing wallets are displayed.

• Tap on the “+” icon located at the top-right corner to add a new wallet.
• Select “Import wallet” from the available options.
• Instead of entering a recovery phrase or private key, choose the option to “Watch address”.
• Paste or manually enter the public address you wish to monitor. Ensure there are no typos by double-checking the characters.
• Assign a label to the watch-only wallet for easy identification later.
• Confirm the details and proceed to save the new entry into your Trust Wallet interface.

Once completed, the imported address will appear under your list of wallets, clearly marked as a watch-only account.

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Security Considerations When Using Watch-Only Wallets

Although a watch-only wallet cannot be used to spend funds, it still exposes transactional data to anyone who has access to your Trust Wallet app. Therefore, maintaining the security of your device and the app itself is crucial.

Important: Never share screenshots or export any information related to watch-only addresses if they belong to third parties or sensitive accounts.

Ensure that your phone uses biometric authentication or a strong passcode. Additionally, avoid using public Wi-Fi networks when accessing Trust Wallet, even just for monitoring purposes.

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Differences Between Regular and Watch-Only Wallets in Trust Wallet

It’s essential to understand how a watch-only wallet differs from a standard wallet within Trust Wallet:

• A regular wallet includes both the public address and the private key, enabling full control over funds.
• In contrast, a watch-only wallet only contains the public address, meaning no outgoing transactions can be initiated.
• Transaction history and balance updates are visible in both types, but only the regular wallet allows sending and receiving operations.
• Watch-only addresses cannot sign messages or participate in decentralized applications (dApps) that require wallet authorization.

This distinction ensures that users don’t accidentally attempt to transact from a non-functional wallet.

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Troubleshooting Common Issues When Setting Up a Watch-Only Wallet

If you encounter problems while importing an address as a watch-only wallet, consider the following possible causes:

• Invalid address format: Make sure the address you're importing corresponds to the correct blockchain network supported by Trust Wallet.
• App version outdated: Check whether you’re running the latest version of Trust Wallet from the App Store or Google Play Store.
• Incorrect selection during import: Ensure you selected the “Watch address” option instead of attempting to restore via seed phrase or private key.
• Network mismatch: If the address belongs to a different chain (e.g., Ethereum vs. Binance Smart Chain), it may not display properly unless the correct network is enabled in Trust Wallet settings.

If none of these steps resolve the issue, consult Trust Wallet’s official support documentation or reach out to their customer service team.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can I convert a watch-only wallet into a regular wallet later?

No, once an address is added as a watch-only wallet, it remains read-only. To gain full control, you would need to import the private key associated with that address into a new wallet.

Is it safe to use a watch-only wallet for someone else’s address?

Yes, as long as you do not store or share sensitive data about that wallet publicly. A watch-only wallet only provides visibility into balances and transaction history.

Does Trust Wallet allow multiple watch-only addresses?

Yes, Trust Wallet allows users to import and manage multiple watch-only addresses across various blockchain networks.

Will dApps recognize my watch-only wallet?

No, dApps typically require a wallet with signing capabilities. Watch-only wallets cannot interact with dApps or approve transactions.