# Add Root Key

## Root Key

The Root Key is the account generated from your seed phrase without any derivation path associated with it. By default, Polkadot Vault will assign a hard derivation path for each network that corresponds with the name of the chain. 

{% hint style="warning" %}
The following steps should be carried out on your Polkadot Vault device.
{% endhint %}

To add the Root Key:

1. `Create` or `Import` an account (**keyset**) into Polkadot Vault.
2. On your Polkadot Vault device, `select` the **+ icon** at the top right of the screen.
3. `Select` the **network** that you would like to add the root key for (note: if you cannot see your desired network then you have not correctly added the [chain specs](/nova-wallet-wiki/wallet-management/hardware-wallets/polkadot-vault/update-chain-specs-in-polkadot-vault.md) and [metadata](/nova-wallet-wiki/wallet-management/hardware-wallets/polkadot-vault/update-chain-metadata-in-polkadot-vault.md))
4. `Select` **Add Custom Derivation Path**.
5. In the Derivation Path Name field, you must `delete` **all the text**. The field will now display "Empty path = creating root"
6. `Select` **Done**.
7. You may now `input` a **name** for this derivation path, such as "root".
8. `Tick` the "**I have written down my derivation path name**" tick box and `select` **Done**.
9. Your Root Key has now been added to Polkadot Vault. If you select this key from the Derived Keys list, you will see that under the Derivation Path field, it states "Derivation Path is Empty" This indicates that this is indeed the root key.


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