Starting® Up® Your® Device® — Quick Guide for Users

A clear, secure setup flow for your hardware wallet — redesigned for simple understanding and modern look.

Welcome — what this page helps you do

This page walks you through powering on, initializing, and securing your hardware device step-by-step. It’s written for newcomers and returning users who want a concise, trustworthy setup experience. We focus on safety-first steps, common troubleshooting, and best practices so you leave confident that your crypto keys are private and recoverable.

Before you begin — checklist (quick)

  • Fresh, official device box — verify tamper evidence and packaging.
  • A clean, malware-free computer or mobile device to run the companion app.
  • Write-down materials (pen + paper) for your recovery phrase — do not store the phrase digitally.
  • Enough time: plan 10–20 minutes for a careful setup.

Step-by-step setup

1
Unbox and verify

Check seals, inspect the foil/packaging, and verify that nothing looks tampered with. If anything seems off, contact support before continuing.

2
Power on the device

Use the supplied cable to connect the device to a computer or powered USB hub. The device will show a welcome screen and a device model name — confirm it matches your hardware.

3
Install the official companion app

Open the official app for your platform (desktop or mobile). Only download the official client from the vendor's website or official store; avoid third-party mirrors.

4
Initialize or restore

Choose whether to create a new wallet (initialize) or restore from an existing recovery phrase. If you are creating a new wallet, the device will generate a recovery phrase for you.

5
Record your recovery phrase safely

Write down the words exactly in the order shown. Never photograph, screenshot, or store the phrase on a cloud service or connected device. The phrase is the ultimate backup — losing it can mean permanent loss of funds; leaking it compromises your security.

6
Create a PIN

Pick a PIN you can remember but that isn't easily guessable. The device uses the PIN to protect the device user interface; repeated wrong attempts may wipe the device depending on settings — that’s intentional to protect your keys from brute-force attack.

7
Confirm and test

Follow on-screen prompts to confirm you recorded the recovery phrase. Optionally send a very small test transaction to a wallet address to confirm end-to-end functionality and become familiar with the transaction signing flow before moving large amounts.

Security best practices — short & practical

Treat your recovery phrase like cash. Use a dedicated offline location to store the written copy. Consider steel backup plates for physical durability. Never share your recovery phrase with anyone, including people claiming to be support representatives. Official support will never ask for your recovery phrase.

Troubleshooting common issues

Device not powering on
Try a different USB cable and port. Avoid charging cables that are power-only (no data) — use the cable that came with the device or a data-capable cable.
Companion app can’t detect the device
Ensure your OS recognizes USB devices. On some systems, additional drivers or browser permissions may be required. Restart the app and reconnect the device.
Recovery phrase mismatch or failed confirmation
Take a deep breath and retry slowly. Check spelling and word order carefully. If the device repeatedly indicates issues, consider contacting official support — do not use third-party recovery helpers.

Advanced options

For power users: advanced setup options include passphrase-protecting your seed (an additional secret word you supply at unlock time), setting up hidden wallets, and configuring multiple accounts. These features increase flexibility but also responsibility — document your configuration securely.

Important: A recovery phrase is the single most critical piece of information for wallet recovery. If it is lost, the funds are irrecoverable. If it is leaked, funds can be stolen. Secure it physically, and test small transfers before large ones.

Glossary — quick definitions

  • Hardware wallet: A physical device that stores cryptographic keys offline.
  • Recovery phrase: A human-readable seed (usually 12 or 24 words) that reconstructs your private keys.
  • PIN: A numeric code that unlocks the device UI; not a substitute for the recovery phrase.