# Creating a Wallet

Your account in Freewallet is secured by a 12-word passphrase and is a [deterministic wallet](https://forums.counterparty.io/t/what-is-a-deterministic-wallet/1211). \
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In fact, <mark style="color:yellow;">this passphrase is your wallet itself</mark>. \
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Freewallet places this passphrase into a math equation and gets a list of Bitcoin addresses and private keys as the result. If the passphrase is the same, you can always calculate the same addresses and keys. \
\ <mark style="color:yellow;">You can do this even if Freewallet is offline.</mark>

This means that your passphrase, your addresses and your private keys are never sent anywhere. This also makes it <mark style="color:red;">extremely important to keep your passphrase safe</mark>, as it cannot be restored by anyone.\
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Please ensure that you have written it down correctly.&#x20;

<mark style="color:red;">Remember that once you delete Freewallet off of your device, the only place this passphrase (your entire wallet!) exists is the place you chose to write it down.</mark>

The first action you will prompted to take is to let Freewallet know if you would like to create a new wallet or login to an existing one.

<figure><img src="https://3285406617-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FIHOAdveIkUtULHe7q3v2%2Fuploads%2FUpGVhJcgrZNY5FrPnxBe%2Fcreating1.png?alt=media&#x26;token=d8979928-7e1c-474c-ba4f-75c89e569863" alt=""><figcaption><p>Welcome to Freewallet popup</p></figcaption></figure>

To create a new wallet, click the green Create New Wallet button.\
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To again stress the importance of this functionality and the possible value of funds you may receive, <mark style="color:yellow;">it is imperative that you write down your 12-word passphrase (on pen and paper and in multiple locations) or else your funds and tokens will be unrecoverable.</mark> \
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The passphrase shown below is not secure and should not be used, the one you generate randomly will simply be shown to you in this manner.

<figure><img src="https://3285406617-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FIHOAdveIkUtULHe7q3v2%2Fuploads%2F0Vl6LPV8sXvp62pPTYS1%2Fcreating2.png?alt=media&#x26;token=032f4bb0-7b45-48cd-95b9-f233d3ce97f1" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

If you already have a 12-word phrase it can be entered by clicking the Login to Existing Wallet in the image above.\
\ <mark style="color:yellow;">Take note of the Format option, which supports seed phrases generated with Counterwallet or any BIP-39 style Bitcoin seed.</mark>

<figure><img src="https://3285406617-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FIHOAdveIkUtULHe7q3v2%2Fuploads%2FBPywfMThxlfrScIIPCdC%2Fcreating3.png?alt=media&#x26;token=091b8632-5401-48a1-b998-cac9e05de6c8" alt=""><figcaption><p>Enter Passphrase popup, with the Format dropdown menu selected</p></figcaption></figure>

The open wallet button will only become active once you have entered a valid passphrase and clicked 'Ok'.

<figure><img src="https://3285406617-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FIHOAdveIkUtULHe7q3v2%2Fuploads%2Ft5G8OWFXK5vmyvCw4OF1%2Fcreating4.png?alt=media&#x26;token=f1aa1970-4274-4109-b804-b25158f942a6" alt=""><figcaption><p>Popup after a successful wallet seed-phrase entry</p></figcaption></figure>

If this is your first time logging in, you will have to agree to the Freewallet License Agreement which can also be [found here](https://app.gitbook.com/o/hhkra761ccJQPV4LgzfZ/s/IHOAdveIkUtULHe7q3v2/).

<figure><img src="https://3285406617-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FIHOAdveIkUtULHe7q3v2%2Fuploads%2FhQHxGLU1xj8X3KnXaLiX%2Fcreating5.png?alt=media&#x26;token=29620524-2dd9-4251-b954-4718897ae3f4" alt=""><figcaption><p>License Agreement popup screen</p></figcaption></figure>

You will also be prompted with the [Automatic Donation System](https://davestaxcp.gitbook.io/freewallet.io-user-manual/getting-started/what-is-the-automatic-donation-system-how-do-i-turn-it-off) popup. \
\ <mark style="color:red;">By default, it is enabled</mark><mark style="color:yellow;">, but can be turned off or customized to support specific Counterparty improvements</mark>. \
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If you would like more information on ADS please read [here](https://davestaxcp.gitbook.io/freewallet.io-user-manual/getting-started/what-is-the-automatic-donation-system-how-do-i-turn-it-off).

One important thing to know before getting started is that when you perform an action in Freewallet (i.e. place an order, create a token, etc), it doesn't take effect immediately.\
\ <mark style="color:yellow;">All Counterparty functions must first be confirmed on the Bitcoin blockchain.</mark> \
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If broadcasting a bitcoin transaction for Counterparty functions is new to you, see the explanation of [Why do I need small amounts of BTC to do things?](https://davestaxcp.gitbook.io/freewallet.io-user-manual/getting-started/why-do-i-need-small-amounts-of-bitcoin-to-do-things-in-freewallet)


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