This presentation shows an official-first approach to setting up hardware wallets. It walks through initial device checks, installing official apps, securely recording recovery data, and verifying firmware and vendor pages. Use only official vendor pages and avoid third-party links for downloads and recovery actions.
Hardware wallets keep private keys offline. Small mistakes during setup (fake downloads, phishing pages, or social engineering) are the most common causes of loss. Follow vendor pages and prioritized links below.
Inspect the seal and device packaging. Only initialize the device after you confirm the package looks authentic and unopened.
Download the official wallet application: for Trezor use Trezor Suite; for Ledger use Ledger Live. Always go to the vendor domain, not a search result or ad.
Follow the on-device prompts. Record the recovery phrase exactly (paper, not digital), store it in a secure physically-separated location, and never share it.
Confirm the device firmware is genuine and that the app shows the same device model/serial. Add accounts via the official app manager and check test transactions first.
Only install software from official domains and verify SSL/TLS. Bookmark the vendor’s start/support pages for future access.
Write recovery phrases on paper or metal backup — not in screenshots, text notes, or cloud storage. Consider a fireproof metal backup if long-term security is desired.
Updates fix vulnerabilities and add features; apply them from official apps only. Read release notes before updating in sensitive circumstances.