Overview
Hardware wallets are dedicated devices designed to isolate private keys from general-purpose devices such as laptops or phones, reducing exposure to malware and phishing. The process below covers widely recommended, vendor-agnostic steps for getting started with a hardware wallet safely. Always consult the device manufacturer’s official start pages for model-specific details, verified downloads, and support resources.
Preparation & what to have ready
Before beginning the setup, prepare a clean workspace and gather: the hardware device, the supplied cable, a trusted computer with a current operating system, a notebook or recovery card for writing down the recovery phrase, a reliable pen, and a secure place to store your backups. Avoid public computers and untrusted networks during initialization. Consider planning a backup strategy that includes at least one geographically separated location for high-value holdings.
Obtain official software and verify it
Visit the device manufacturer’s official start page to download the companion application (desktop app or web-assisted flow). Prefer official links, verify checksums or digital signatures when provided, and confirm the installer comes from an authoritative source. Verifying the download helps ensure you did not install a tampered file and is an important safety step before connecting your device.
Step-by-step setup (typical flow)
The following steps represent a secure and commonly used onboarding flow for modern hardware wallets. Exact prompts and optional features vary by model and vendor, so use the official app’s on-screen guidance for precise instructions.
- Inspect packaging: Examine the box for tamper-evident seals and physical damage. If anything looks altered, contact the vendor before continuing.
- Install verified software: Run the official installer and launch the companion application. If a local connector (bridge) is required, follow vendor instructions to install it.
- Connect the device: Use the supplied cable to connect the device to your computer. The companion app should detect the device and present an onboarding flow.
- Create a secure PIN: Choose a PIN that is not easily guessable. The PIN protects the device when it is connected or if it is misplaced.
- Generate the recovery phrase on-device: Allow the device to generate the recovery phrase (seed) locally. Write the words exactly as shown on a recovery card or notebook; do not photograph or store the seed digitally.
- Verify the recovery phrase: Most setups will prompt you to confirm a subset of words—complete this check to ensure you recorded the seed accurately.
- Finalize and test: Finish naming the device and adding accounts. Perform a small test transaction (sending and receiving) to confirm the workflow and address correctness.
Recovery phrase: storage & protection
The recovery phrase is the master key for your wallet. Treat it like a high-value physical asset: store it offline, never photograph or store it in cloud services or on phones/computers, and consider a durable metal backup for resilience against fire and water. For extra assurance, you may keep redundant offline copies in geographically separated secure locations.
Common backup methods
- Write the phrase on the manufacturer-provided recovery card and store it securely.
- Use a certified metal backup plate to protect against environmental damage.
- Advanced splits (Shamir or manual) can be used by experienced users but introduce complexity—understand trade-offs before using them.
Daily operation & transaction hygiene
For routine use, keep the device disconnected when not in use. When sending funds, connect the device, construct the transaction in the companion app, and confirm each detail on the device screen. For frequent recipients, an address book in the companion application can help, but verify addresses on-device for significant transfers.
Troubleshooting — common problems and fixes
If the device is not detected, try a different USB cable or port, reboot your computer, reinstall the companion app or bridge, and check OS-level permissions that could block device access. If you see unexpected firmware messages or device behavior, stop and consult official support rather than following unverified third-party fixes.
Frequently asked questions
- Can I install the companion software on multiple computers?
- Yes. You can install the companion application on any trusted computer. The recovery phrase allows you to restore the wallet on another device if needed.
- What happens if I lose my recovery phrase?
- If all backups are lost, you may permanently lose access to funds. Create multiple secure offline backups to avoid this scenario.
- Should I update firmware immediately?
- Firmware updates often include security fixes. Follow vendor guidance and verify update prompts in the official companion application before applying updates.
Support & official resources
Use the manufacturer’s official support pages, knowledge base, and community resources for model-specific guidance, verified troubleshooting steps, and security advisories. Official resources typically include step-by-step articles, video walkthroughs, and downloadable documentation — prefer those over unverified third-party content.
This guide is educational and vendor-agnostic. For exact, model-specific instructions and verified downloads, always consult the device manufacturer’s official start page and support channels.