Welcome — Start with safety in mind

This page outlines the recommended steps to begin using a hardware wallet in a secure manner: understanding device basics, initializing, protecting recovery data, and daily best practices. The design below focuses on clarity, accessibility, and bright visual cues to guide attention.
At a glance
  • Unbox and verify authenticity of the device.
  • Power and initialize the device using the official onboarding procedure.
  • Write down and keep your recovery seed offline and private.
  • Use your hardware wallet for signing transactions while keeping keys offline.

Key concepts

What is a hardware wallet?

A hardware wallet stores private keys in a dedicated, isolated hardware device so that signing cryptographic transactions does not expose the keys to the internet. This separation reduces the risk of remote compromise.

Initialization & verification

Devices are initialized with a secure setup process that creates a recovery seed. Verify authenticity and firmware integrity using official instructions prior to use. Never use a device you cannot verify.

Recovery seed — the single most important item

The recovery seed is the backup of your private keys. Write it down on durable, offline media and store it in a secure, private location. Do not store the seed in cloud services, photos, or on a computer.

Daily usage & safety

Use the hardware wallet to sign transactions via companion software while keeping the seed offline. Be wary of phishing sites; always check addresses carefully and prefer verified official apps and sites.

How it works — step-by-step (informational)

1
Unbox & Inspect
Check packaging seals and physical signs of tampering. Compare device serials or checksums where provided by the manufacturer.
2
Initialize
Follow the official initialization process to create a new seed on-device. The seed should be generated on the device, not on a computer.
3
Write down the seed
Record the recovery words exactly and store them offline. Consider using multiple secure copies in geographically separated locations.
4
Use safely
Connect the device to trusted software only when signing transactions. Confirm transaction details on the device screen before approving (illustrative — not interactive here).

Security notes

Protect the recovery seed

The recovery seed is functionally equivalent to the private key. Anyone with the seed can access the funds. Store it in a safe, consider fireproof storage, and do not share the seed with anyone. Use physical measures — metal backups — if long-term durability is required.

Beware of phishing and social engineering

Always verify the domain of websites and the authenticity of software before connecting your device. Official onboarding pages are published by the manufacturer; prefer bookmarked or typed URLs rather than links in messages.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Can I store many cryptocurrencies on a single hardware wallet?

Yes — many hardware wallets support multiple coin types via software integration. The private keys still remain on the device; the supporting software may vary by coin.

What happens if I lose my device?

If you have your recovery seed, you can restore access to your assets on a replacement device. If the seed is lost and the device is damaged or lost, funds cannot be recovered — hence the importance of secure backups.

Is it safe to buy a used hardware wallet?

Buying second-hand hardware wallets is risky because you cannot ensure the device has not been tampered with. Factory-resetting and verifying firmware may mitigate some risks, but the safest option is to buy a new device from an authorized retailer.