Secure Start

A friendly, secure walkthrough to set up your hardware wallet and protect your crypto.

Get up and running — safely

Follow these steps to initialize your device, create a secure recovery phrase, and connect safely to your accounts. This guide focuses on best practices so you can access your crypto with confidence.

1

Unbox & verify

Inspect the packaging and device integrity. Only initialize a brand-new wallet from a trusted seller — never accept a device already initialized by someone else.

2

Connect safely

Use the official desktop or web app and connect the device via USB. Approve every on-device prompt and refuse any action you don't recognize.

3

Create your recovery

Write down the recovery words exactly as shown. Keep this paper offline and stored securely; never photograph or store these words digitally.

4

Set a passcode

Choose a device PIN or passphrase where supported. This adds another layer of protection if your device is lost or stolen.

5

Test a small transaction

Send a small amount to a new receiving address to confirm everything is functioning before transferring significant funds.

Start setup Learn about recovery

Why these steps matter

Hardware wallets isolate private keys on a dedicated device, which prevents remote attackers from extracting them. The recovery phrase is the single strongest secret that can restore access — treat it like a physical key to a safe. Combining a device PIN and safe storage practices dramatically reduces the risk of loss or theft.

Quick tips

  • Do not share your recovery phrase with anyone — no support agent or friend should ever ask for it.
  • Keep multiple physical backups in geographically separate, secure locations.
  • When in doubt, pause and check official documentation before proceeding.