Before you begin — what to prepare
Find a quiet, private workspace. Have the device box and the included cable ready. Keep a trusted pen or pencil and paper for recording your recovery words — never store your recovery in a screenshot, cloud note, or on a computer. If possible, disconnect from public Wi-Fi while you do the first-time recovery — the device itself never needs the internet, but the host computer does for optional software interactions. A calm environment reduces the chance of mistakes.
Power & first connection
Plug the USB cable into the device and your computer or phone. Your device will show a welcome screen with a small display and simple navigation buttons. If the screen is blank or garbled, try a different cable and a different USB port. Genuine devices have crisp, legible on-device screens — anything fuzzy is a red flag.
Create a new wallet or restore
Choose Create new if this is your first device. The device will generate a cryptographic recovery (a list of words) using internal randomness. If you already have a recovery phrase from a previous setup, choose Restore. Never accept a recovery phrase suggested or typed on the host computer — the device displays the words and you write them down as shown.
Record the recovery securely
The device will display 12, 18, or 24 words (depending on your settings). Write them on the supplied recovery card or another durable medium. Write each word clearly and in order. Double-check every entry by comparing with the device when it prompts you to confirm. The single most important rule: do not digitize these words.
Set a PIN and optional passphrase
Create a device PIN for local access — this protects against casual physical access. For advanced protection you can enable a passphrase (a secret word or sentence) which acts as an additional key. A passphrase is powerful: if lost, you may permanently lose access to funds tied to that passphrase. Treat passphrases with the care of a second recovery.
Hands-on safety checklist
- Record recovery words by hand and store them in a secure physical place (safe, safe-deposit box).
- Never expose the recovery to photos, cloud backups, or email.
- Confirm the device's screen shows expected prompts — on-device confirmation is the final authority.
- Verify firmware only through the official companion app; do not accept unsolicited firmware updates.
Troubleshooting common issues
Try a different USB cable (data+power), a different computer, and ensure the companion web app is up-to-date. If using a phone, confirm OTG support. Never install unknown drivers from the internet.
Disconnect and reconnect. If the display remains corrupted, contact official support channels — do not share recovery words with anyone claiming to help over chat.
Transfer funds & test with small amounts
After setup, try a test transfer with a small amount to confirm everything works end-to-end. This confirms your receiving address, your backup logic, and the signing experience. Only after you’re confident should you move larger amounts. Keep detailed notes about which addresses correspond to which accounts if you manage multiple wallets.
Maintenance — keep your device safe over time
Periodically verify that your recovery is legible and your storage location secure. Recheck device firmware with official software before major updates. If you sell or transfer the device to someone else, perform a factory reset and only share the device after wiping it and transferring custody of the recovery to the new owner.
Expert tips (optional)
- Consider a metal recovery plate for added fire/water resistance.
- Use multi-factor custody strategies for high-value holdings (split recovery, multi-sig wallets).
- For long-term cold storage, maintain at least two independent recovery copies in geographically separated, secure locations.