Hardware Wallet Setup Checklist

A hardware wallet keeps private keys on a dedicated device that never exposes them to your computer or phone. It is one of the most effective upgrades for anyone holding crypto they cannot afford to lose. The device only protects you if the setup is done carefully, though, and most losses with hardware wallets come from mistakes during setup or from seed phrase handling afterwards.

Work through this checklist in order.

Before you buy

• Buy directly from the manufacturer's official website or an authorised reseller listed on that site
• Avoid marketplace listings, second-hand devices and "pre-configured" wallets
• Check the manufacturer's website address carefully, since lookalike domains exist
• Plan a quiet hour for setup without distractions

A device that arrives with a seed phrase already printed on a card is a scam. Genuine hardware wallets always generate a new phrase on the device during setup.

Unboxing

1. Inspect the packaging for signs of tampering, following the manufacturer's guidance
2. Confirm the device has no existing setup and asks to create or restore a wallet
3. Download the companion app only from the official site or official app stores
4. Update the device firmware through the official app

If anything looks unusual, stop and contact the manufacturer through their official support channel.

Creating the wallet

• Choose to create a new wallet on the device
• Set a PIN that is not your birthday or a simple pattern
• Write down the seed phrase shown on the device screen, in order, on the recovery sheet or a metal backup
• Never type the seed phrase into a computer or phone
• Never photograph the seed phrase
• Complete the device's word confirmation step carefully

Take your time on the phrase. Check each word against the screen twice.

Consider a passphrase

Many devices support an optional passphrase that creates a hidden wallet. It adds protection if someone finds your seed phrase, but it must be backed up separately and never forgotten. If you are new to hardware wallets, you can set up without a passphrase first and add one once you are comfortable.

Test recovery

Before sending significant funds, confirm the backup works:

• Use the device's recovery check feature if it has one, or
• Reset the device and restore it from the written phrase, then confirm the same addresses appear

Then send a small test amount, confirm it arrives, and try sending a small amount out.

Storing the backup

Store the seed phrase backup somewhere safe from theft, fire and water, and away from the device itself. Tell yourself exactly where it is in a way you will remember in five years. Consider how a trusted person could access it if something happened to you.

Daily use habits

Habit	Why
Verify addresses on the device screen	Malware can alter addresses on your computer
Read what you sign on the device	The device shows what the transaction really does
Reject blind signing unless you understand it	Unreadable signatures hide drainer approvals
Keep firmware updated through the official app	Fixes security issues
Use a separate hot wallet for experiments	Keeps your main funds away from unknown contracts

The device protects your keys, but it cannot stop you approving a malicious transaction. Reading each prompt on the device screen is the habit that matters most.

What to do if the device is lost

A lost or broken device does not mean lost funds, as long as you have the seed phrase. Buy a new device from an official source and restore. If you think someone has seen your seed phrase, create a new wallet on a fresh device and move funds immediately.

Projects that ask their communities to follow good security practice should model it too, with hardware wallets or multisigs for treasuries and clear official information. Publishing that information consistently, from your website to public profiles such as a Proud Globe pin, helps members spot impostors.