How to Reset Exodus Wallet: Safe Step-by-Step Guide
One wrong click can turn a locked wallet into a permanent loss. A single forgotten recovery phrase can mean your funds are gone for good. The preparation decides whether you get your funds back.
Before you reset: the phrase check
Exodus is a software cryptocurrency wallet available for desktop and mobile. It is a self-custody wallet, so private keys are generated and stored on your device, and Exodus does not keep a copy of them. That is the reason a reset is possible, and also the reason it is dangerous.
Run this checklist before touching any reset option:
- Locate your 12 words. Paper, metal backup or a password manager entry you control.
- Count them. Exodus uses a 12-word phrase. A different count means it belongs to another wallet.
- Check the order and spelling. Order matters. Each word is from the standard BIP39 word list.
- Check whether the wallet is still open anywhere. If Exodus is unlocked on another device, you can view the phrase there and write it down before resetting.
- Note your receiving addresses. After restoring, confirm the same addresses appear.
If you cannot find the phrase and the wallet is locked, stop. Do not delete anything. The encrypted wallet files on your computer are your only remaining copy, and you may still guess or recall the password.
Which reset do you need?
"Reset" covers four different situations. Pick the right one.
| Situation | What you need | Action | Risk level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forgot password, have phrase | 12-word phrase | Clear local data or use the forgot-password option, restore, set new password | Low |
| Forgot password, no phrase | Password guesses only | Do not reset. Keep the wallet files and keep trying | Very high |
| Balances stuck, app glitching | 12-word phrase (as insurance) | Restart, update, then reinstall and restore if needed | Low to medium |
| Want a fresh, empty wallet | Phrase for the old wallet (to keep funds) | Move funds or keep the old phrase, then create a new wallet | Medium |
7 steps to reset Exodus wallet on desktop
This is the manual method for Windows, macOS and Linux. It works on any version because it does not depend on menu labels, which change between releases.
- Back up the phrase. Open Exodus, go to the backup section, enter your password if asked, and write down the 12 words. Skip this only if the wallet is already locked and you have the phrase written elsewhere.
- Verify the phrase. Read it back against your paper copy. One wrong letter means a failed restore later.
- Close Exodus completely. Quit the app, not just the window. Check the system tray or menu bar.
- Find the Exodus data folder. The default locations are:
- Windows:
%appdata%\Exodus - macOS:
~/Library/Application Support/Exodus - Linux:
~/.config/Exodus
- Windows:
- Rename the folder, do not delete it. Change it to something like
Exodus-old. This keeps an encrypted fallback copy in case a word in your phrase turns out to be wrong. - Reopen Exodus. It starts like a first-time install. Choose the option to restore or use an existing wallet, then enter your 12 words in order.
- Set a new password and check balances. Wait for the sync to finish. Compare your receive addresses and balances with what you expect. Only after everything matches should you delete the old folder, and only if you are certain you do not need it.
Some Exodus versions also offer a forgot-password route on the lock screen that leads to restoring with your recovery phrase. Menu names change between releases, so check the current wording in the app. The result is the same: the phrase rebuilds the wallet and you pick a new password.
Resetting Exodus on mobile
On iOS and Android, the local wallet data lives inside the app. The reset path is shorter.
- Confirm your 12-word phrase is written down and correct.
- If you only forgot the passcode, use the recovery option on the lock screen if your app version shows one.
- If no option appears, uninstall the app. This removes the local wallet data from the phone.
- Reinstall Exodus from the official store listing for your device.
- Choose to restore an existing wallet, enter the 12 words and set a new passcode.
Mobile and desktop wallets restored from the same phrase show the same addresses. You can reset one device without touching the other, as long as the phrase is the same.
Common errors and fixes
| Problem | Likely cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Restore rejects the phrase | Typo, wrong order, wrong word count | Re-check each word against the BIP39 list and your paper copy |
| Wallet opens but is empty | A valid but different phrase was entered | Close it, try the correct phrase. Any valid 12 words open some wallet |
| Balance shows zero for some coins | Sync not finished, or asset not enabled | Wait for sync, then enable the asset in the portfolio asset list |
| Old transaction notes missing | Local-only data lived in the deleted folder | Restore from the renamed Exodus-old folder if you kept it. Chain history still rebuilds from the blockchain |
| App crashes on launch after reset | Outdated version or damaged install | Download the latest installer from the official site and reinstall |
| Hardware wallet not detected | Wallet connected via Trezor, not a software phrase | Restore on the hardware device instead; Exodus phrase does not apply |
Editor notes: what a reset does and does not do
The reset clears local data only. Your coins sit on public blockchains, and the 12 words are the master key that lets any compatible wallet derive the same addresses. That is why you can reset Exodus, then restore from the same phrase and see the same balances. It also means someone holding your phrase has full control, with no password, no two-factor code and no support desk to stop them.
The password is a local lock. It encrypts the wallet file on your device and nothing more. Forgetting it does not lose funds when the phrase exists. Forgetting the phrase while still having the open wallet is fixable, because you can view the phrase before it is gone. Forgetting both is the failure case, and the only fallback is guessing the password against your saved wallet files.
Reset also does not fix everything. Slow balance loading is often a network or server-side sync issue, not corrupted data. Stuck or pending transactions live on the blockchain, so they will not change after a reset. Missing tokens are usually an asset-visibility toggle. A reset is the right tool for a lost password or damaged local files, not for every glitch.
Value at risk is the reason for caution. Using real-time market data as of November 10, 2026, Ethereum trades at $2,121 and Solana at $86.32. Whatever you hold, treat a wallet restore as a one-attempt job: a rushed delete with no verified phrase turns a routine fix into a permanent loss.
Security rules during a reset
- Never type your phrase into a website. Exodus restore happens inside the official app only.
- Ignore anyone who asks for your phrase. That includes direct messages, fake support accounts and email. Real support does not need it.
- Download only from the official Exodus site or your device's official store. Fake installers target people searching for reset help.
- Do not photograph or screenshot the phrase. Cloud photo backups are a common leak path.
- Restore on a clean device. If you suspect malware, move funds to a new wallet created on a trusted machine.
- Consider a hardware wallet for larger balances. See the breakdown in this hot wallet vs cold wallet comparison.
After the reset: what to check
- Compare receive addresses with a saved list.
- Send a small test transaction if you are moving to a new wallet.
- Store the recovery phrase in two physical locations.
- Read the guide to backing up a crypto wallet recovery phrase to avoid repeating this.
- Compare options in the best crypto wallets guide if Exodus no longer suits you.
FAQ
What is an Exodus wallet reset?
It clears the wallet data stored on your device so Exodus starts as a blank install. Your coins stay on the blockchain. You regain access by restoring with your 12-word secret recovery phrase.
How to reset Exodus wallet if I forgot my password?
Use the forgot-password option on the lock screen if your version has one, or rename the Exodus data folder, reopen the app and restore with your 12 words. Then set a new password. Without the phrase, funds cannot be recovered.
Is it safe to reset Exodus wallet?
Yes, if the phrase is written down and verified first and you only enter it in the official app. Renaming the old data folder instead of deleting it adds a fallback.
Why is my balance zero after restoring Exodus?
Usual causes: a different phrase (any valid 12 words open an empty wallet), an unfinished sync, or assets not enabled in the portfolio list. Re-check the phrase first.
Can Exodus support reset my password for me?
No. Exodus does not hold your keys or password, and support will never ask for your phrase. Treat any request for it as a scam.
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- How to secure your crypto trading accounts