Alien Account Backup

Secure Alien backup

Your Alien ID is protected by multiple security layers. When you set up your ID, your backup phrase is encrypted with your PIN and stored securely in the network’s Frame TEEs. This encrypted backup is a safety net that allows you to recover your seed phrase if you lose the device you use to access your account. The multi-layered verification architecture ensures recovery is possible for you but virtually impossible for anyone else, even if they steal your phone, intercept your data or compromise parts of the system.

How does it work?

To access your backup, you need to prove who you are through multiple security steps. First, when you request recovery, you verify your phone number. You'll receive a code via text message and enter it to confirm you control that phone number. When your phone number is confirmed, a time-stamped authorization is created that lasts for 30 minutes. It’s like a temporary access pass. At this point, you will be asked to enter your PIN to decrypt and recover your backup phrase.

Incorrect attempts

You have five attempts to provide the correct PIN. Each incorrect attempt will be followed by a cooldown period:

• The first attempt will be followed by a one minute cooldown period. 

• The second attempt will be followed by a 10 minute cooldown period.

• The third attempt will be followed by an hour cooldown period.

• The fourth attempt will be followed by a six hour cooldown period.

• The fifth and final attempt will be followed by a 24 hour cooldown period.

After five attempts, you'll need to verify your phone number again to receive a fresh 30-minute authorization. This protects against automated guessing attacks while giving you multiple opportunities to remember your PIN.

What if I forget my PIN?

Alien App is a self-custodial wallet, which means your private key belongs only to you. Nobody else can access your account or restrict your access to it. This security comes with responsibility: if you lose your device or forget your PIN without manually backing up your backup phrase, there is currently no way to recover your account. However, we will add a way to restore your account in the near future.

Backup phrase

When you create your Alien ID, the Alien App will generate your backup phrase. Your backup phrase is a unique sequence of 24 words that acts as a master key to your Alien ID. Write it down immediately and store it somewhere safe where only you can access it. Never store it digitally and never share it with anyone. This is critical as it's the only way to recover your Alien ID if you lose your device, forget your PIN or need to access your account on a new phone. No one, not even the Alien team, can access your account without it.

How to restore your Alien ID

If you need to restore your Alien ID with your backup phrase, the process is straightforward:

Open the Alien App on your device and press “Login with backup phrase”. You'll be prompted to enter your 24-word backup phrase in the exact order you wrote it down. Once verified, the app will restore your Alien ID with full access to your account, ALIEN balance and verification credentials.

What if I forget my backup phrase?

Currently, if you lose or forget your backup phrase, your Alien ID cannot be recovered and any earned ALIEN is lost. There is no password reset or customer support override. This design ensures that you, and only you, control your identity. However, Alien will introduce a way to restore your account in the near future. You can visit Alien on X for updates.

> For more info on privacy read here.