Creating a TON wallet is the first practical step for anyone who wants to work with the ecosystem. It does not take long, but almost every beginner mistake happens right here — a badly recorded seed phrase, an install from a non-official source, sloppy approvals. Below are three working scenarios and how to avoid the most common pitfalls.
Which wallet to pick
For your first TON wallet it is reasonable to limit yourself to three options:
- Wallet in Telegram — custodial, built into the messenger. Suitable for very small amounts and a quick “what is this even” test.
- Tonkeeper — the most popular non-custodial wallet on TON. Mobile, Chrome extension, web version.
- MyTonWallet — open-source alternative to Tonkeeper. Extensions for Chrome, Firefox and Edge plus desktop builds.
A detailed feature comparison lives in the wallet guide. Here we focus on installation.
iCustodial or non-custodial — the difference in one line
In a custodial wallet (Wallet in Telegram) the service holds the keys: you log in like a bank account. In a non-custodial one (Tonkeeper, MyTonWallet) the keys are only yours — the wallet generates a 24-word seed phrase and stores it nowhere else.
Scenario 1. Wallet in Telegram — 30 seconds
If you have Telegram, the wallet is almost ready. Open Telegram, search for @wallet, hit Start in the bot.
- The bot offers to create a TON Space — that is your address inside Telegram. Confirm.
- Verify your phone number.
- You receive a working TON address with a 0 balance.
That is all. You can receive TON and USDT-jettons. Limitations:
- No seed phrase — only Wallet knows your key. If your Telegram account is suspended, access to funds may be lost.
- No TON Connect — mini-apps and DEX integrations work only partially through Wallet.
- KYC kicks in past withdrawal limits (~$1000 a month without verification in most regions).
It is a fine “pocket” wallet up to a couple of hundred dollars. For everything else, move to Tonkeeper.
Scenario 2. Tonkeeper — 5 minutes
Tonkeeper exists as a mobile app (iOS, Android), a Chrome extension, and a web build. If you plan to use the wallet regularly — install it on your phone, that is the primary interface.
Step 1. Download
- iOS — App Store, Tonkeeper page.
- Android — Google Play.
- Extension — official site
tonkeeper.comthen Get Tonkeeper then Chrome.
!No search engines for downloads
The most common loss in TON is installing a phishing wallet from an ad or a “mirror” with a similar domain. Use only links from
tonkeeper.comor the official store pages listed in this guide.
Step 2. Create a wallet
In the mobile app pick “Create new wallet”. Then:
- The app shows 24 secret words — that is your seed phrase.
- Write them on paper, in the correct order. No notes on the phone, no screenshots, no cloud notes.
- Tonkeeper asks you to enter 3 random words out of 24 to confirm you wrote them down.
- Set a PIN code for app access.
- Done — you have a TON address.
Step 3. Verification
Right after creation, do a test transfer — ask a friend to send you 0.1 TON or buy 1–2 TON via an exchange on-ramp. When the transaction lands, you see a balance — that means the wallet works.
Install Tonkeeper
The most mature non-custodial wallet on TON. Ledger support, TON Connect, built-in fiat on-ramp. Free.
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Scenario 3. MyTonWallet — when open source matters
MyTonWallet is great because the entire codebase is open and verifiable — a fit for users who want to check what the app actually does.
- Go to
mytonwallet.io(only the official site). - Pick a platform — Chrome/Firefox/Edge extension, mobile app, or desktop build for Windows/macOS/Linux.
- After installation pick “Create new wallet”.
- Write down 24 seed words (the same BIP-39 standard as Tonkeeper).
- Confirm a few words and set a password.
The address is created instantly. Functionally it mirrors Tonkeeper, but with a fully verifiable codebase.
What to do right after install
These three actions sharply lower the chance of losing the wallet:
- Backup the seed phrase. Paper, a metal plate, or two independent copies in different physical locations. Not SMS, not Telegram, not the cloud.
- Test recovery. Delete the wallet, restore from seed, verify the address matches. This proves the seed was recorded correctly.
- Test transaction. A small transfer (0.1 TON) to a friend, to confirm sends work too.
Field log · 2024–2026Out of a dozen “lost wallet” cases we worked through with reader chats, eight were a wrong seed phrase (a missing word, mixed-up order, Cyrillic font instead of Latin). The other two were phishing apps. A test recovery catches both before serious money lands on the address.
— TON Adoption
TON address — what to watch for
A single TON wallet can have several address formats:
-
EQ...— bounceable, the standard for smart contracts. -
UQ...— non-bounceable, recommended for top-ups from exchanges and P2P.
From the user side it is the same address — but if an exchange asks for “non-bounceable”, copy the UQ... version. Tonkeeper and MyTonWallet show both options in settings.
Activating the wallet
A freshly created TON address is “uninitialized” until the first incoming transaction. That means:
- The address is valid, you can share it.
- The wallet contract auto-deploys on the first send or receive.
- Deployment costs around 0.005 to 0.01 TON in gas (deducted from the incoming transfer).
That is why the first top-up is often slightly less than the sent amount — that is normal.
What not to do
- Never enter the seed on third-party sites. Any “enter your 24 words to claim airdrop” prompt is a scam.
- Do not connect the wallet to an unverified mini-app. TON Connect shows what the dApp asks for — read and think.
- Do not keep everything on one address. A “hot” DeFi/mini-app wallet should be separate from a “cold” savings address.
Next
Wallet ready — time to fund it. The general rule: use a regulated exchange (OKX, Bybit, MEXC) or the wallet’s built-in on-ramp. If you want to first understand what TON is — read the TON guide.
