Welcome — quick overview
Congratulations on taking the first step toward protecting your digital assets. A hardware wallet stores your private keys offline so that signing transactions happens on the device, not on the web. This means attackers need physical access to your device to extract your keys — a huge security advantage.
Before you begin
Find a clean, private surface and keep your recovery seed backup materials nearby but offline. Unbox the device and verify packaging seals. Only use the official setup application recommended by the manufacturer. If something looks tampered with, stop and contact support through official channels.
Step 1 — Initialize your device
Power on the device and follow the on-device prompts to create a new wallet. Create a strong PIN — this helps prevent unauthorized access if the device is lost or stolen. Never use obvious numbers like birthdays or repeated digits. The PIN is required each time you connect the device to sign a transaction.
Step 2 — Write down your recovery seed
The device will generate a recovery seed — typically 12 or 24 words. Write the words down in order on the supplied recovery card or another secure medium. Do not photograph, store electronically, or share the seed. This seed is the single point of recovery if you lose the device; anyone who has it can reconstruct your keys.
Step 3 — Verify the seed
After writing down the seed, the device usually asks you to confirm some words to ensure you copied them correctly. Complete that verification on the device itself. Once verified, store the backup somewhere safe, ideally in two geographically separated locations or a safe deposit box if you hold large funds.
Step 4 — Install companion software
Install the official companion app on your computer from the vendor's official site. Use the app to create accounts, add cryptocurrencies, and manage coins. Always ensure you download software from the verified website and check for HTTPS and domain correctness. Keep your companion application and firmware updated to benefit from the latest security fixes.
Best practices and tips
- Never enter your recovery seed into a computer, phone, or online form.
- Use a passphrase (optional advanced feature) only if you understand how it works and you can back it up — a lost passphrase cannot be recovered.
- Test small transactions before sending large amounts to confirm addresses and workflows.
- Keep device firmware current, but read release notes and follow secure upgrade procedures.
- Be cautious of phishing: always double-check URLs and email senders before taking action.
Security reminders
Regularly review your holdings and ensure your backup is still accessible. Consider multisig or distribution strategies for very large holdings. If you sell or gift the device, perform a factory reset and wipe the seed — then securely destroy or transfer your backup. If your seed is ever exposed, move funds immediately to a new wallet with a brand-new seed.
This guide is designed as general onboarding advice. Don’t rely solely on a single guide — consult the official documentation provided by your device manufacturer for device-specific procedures, firmware downloads, and support channels.
Open setup app