Do this every time a new hardware wallet arrives, before you set it up. It takes five minutes.
- Check where it came from: the manufacturer’s own shop, Amazon.com itself (“Ships from and sold by Amazon.com”), or an authorised reseller listed on the manufacturer’s website. If it came from anywhere else, such as a third-party seller or a second-hand offer, send it back unopened. Buying straight from the manufacturer is the safest of these.
- Look at the box. Torn wrapping, reglued flaps or a damaged seal where the maker uses one are reasons to contact the maker before you continue.
- Look inside. A recovery card that’s already filled in, or a note telling you to use certain words, means it’s a scam. Never use words someone else chose.
- Connect it to your signing computer and open the maker’s own app. Let it run its authenticity check and install the latest firmware.
- Start the setup. The device must offer to create a new wallet. If it already has one, or asks you to restore from words that came in the box, stop.
Anyone who gives you words is stealing from you
A real hardware wallet always creates its own seed, on its own screen. Words that came with the device, from support staff, or from a “recovery service” belong to a thief.
Then continue with step 4 of the setup guide.