How to Set Up a Hardware Wallet Safely

Why setup steps matter

A hardware wallet is only as secure as how it's set up and used. A handful of careful habits during setup make the difference between genuinely strong security and a false sense of it.

Buy directly, and check the packaging

Purchase a hardware wallet directly from the manufacturer or an authorized retailer, not a secondhand marketplace. Check that tamper-evident packaging, where applicable, looks intact before proceeding.

Generate a new seed phrase yourself

A genuine new device will prompt you to generate a brand-new seed phrase during setup. If a device arrives with a seed phrase already provided, or preset by someone else, treat that as a serious warning sign and do not use it.

Write the seed phrase down, offline

• Write the seed phrase on physical paper or a durable backup medium — never type it into a computer or phone.
• Never photograph, screenshot, or store a seed phrase digitally in any form.
• Store the physical backup somewhere secure and separate from the device itself.

Verify with a small test transaction first

Before transferring a large amount, send a small test transaction first and confirm it arrives correctly. This confirms the address and setup are working as expected before committing significant funds.

What to remember

• Buy hardware wallets directly from the manufacturer or an authorized retailer.
• Always generate a new seed phrase yourself during setup — never use a preset one.
• Write the seed phrase down physically and offline, never digitally.
• Test with a small transaction before transferring significant funds.