Start — Fresh Guide & New Style
A modern, approachable manual for setting up and using your hardware wallet securely. Clean copy, clear steps, and pragmatic security advice for everyone — newcomers and advanced users alike.
Quick summary
This guide walks you from unboxing to first transaction, including setup, backups, updates, daily use, and recovery. It emphasizes on-device verification, official downloads, and secure backup strategies.
Step-by-step starter
Check packaging for tamper evidence. If anything looks altered, stop and contact support.
Use the manufacturer's primary domain and follow the link to the official onboarding flow. Avoid third-party shortcuts.
Download the local bridge or app only from official sources. Verify signatures or checksums when available.
Generate a new seed on-device or restore with an existing seed. Record words by hand in order.
Deep dive: secure backups
Your recovery phrase is the ultimate backup. Protect it like cash in a safe; treat it as the root secret for all your funds.
Recommended approaches
- Primary: write your seed on paper and store it in a safe or lockbox.
- Durability: use stainless-steel backup plates for fire/water resistance.
- Redundancy: keep geographically separated copies (e.g., home safe + bank deposit box).
- Secrecy: never photograph or store seed words in cloud storage or plaintext files.
Optional: use secret sharing (Shamir) or multisig to split custody across multiple parties or devices for organizational use-cases.
On-device verification — why it matters
Always verify addresses and amounts on the device's screen. The host computer can be compromised — the only trusted display is the device itself.
- When receiving, confirm the full address on the device before sharing it.
- When sending, read the destination address and the amount on-device; reject if anything looks off.
- For firmware updates, confirm the update fingerprint or code displayed on-device matches the official notice.
If the device shows unexpected prompts or unfamiliar text, disconnect and consult official support before proceeding.
Daily operations — fast checklist
- Generate a fresh address for each incoming payment when feasible.
- Review fees and outputs carefully in the host app and on-device.
- Keep the device firmware and local software updated from official channels.
- Confirm a small test transfer before sending large amounts.
Advanced topics
Passphrases
Adding a passphrase creates hidden wallets. It increases security but introduces risk: losing the passphrase means losing access. Use it only if you understand the trade-offs.
Multisig
Multisignature wallets require approvals from multiple keys and are ideal for shared custody or high-value storage. They add operational complexity but improve safety.
Air-gapped signing
For maximum isolation, create unsigned transactions on an online host, transfer them to an offline signing machine (QR or USB), sign on-device, and broadcast from the online host.
Troubleshooting
Device not detected
- Use a different USB cable and port; avoid unpowered hubs.
- Restart your browser and the companion bridge service.
- On Linux, ensure udev rules are installed; on Windows, check Device Manager.
PIN or passphrase problems
If you forget your PIN, you will need to reset the device and restore from seed. If you lose a passphrase, funds in that hidden wallet are inaccessible unless you recover the passphrase.
FAQ
Can I set up on a public computer?
No — public computers may be compromised. Use a trusted personal machine for setup.
Is my seed safe if stored digitally?
Not recommended. Encrypted offline storage on a dedicated device is better than cloud storage, but physical backups are safest.
What if my device is lost or stolen?
If your seed is secure and private, you can restore on a new device. If both device and seed are lost, the funds cannot be recovered.