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1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFor many holders, a practical setup is a hot wallet for a limited amount used for everyday spending and an offline hardware wallet for savings. Keep the wallet’s recovery information—called a recovery phrase, seed phrase, or wallet backup depending on the product—offline and secret. A wallet does not physically contain cryptocurrency: it manages the credentials used to control funds recorded on a blockchain.
Choose a wallet setup for spending and savings
Hot wallets run on internet-connected phones or computers, which makes them convenient for frequent transactions but exposes them to online risks. Cold storage keeps the keys offline; a hardware wallet is one option that balances offline key storage with the ability to make transactions when needed. Bitcoin.org recommends keeping only small amounts on everyday devices and describes cold storage as an option for savings (Bitcoin.org FAQ; Bitcoin.org: Securing your wallet).
The split is a useful starting point, not a guarantee or a universal rule about how much to hold in either wallet. Cryptocurrency stays on the blockchain; the wallet manages the credentials that authorize transactions.
- Everyday spending: Consider a hot wallet for an amount you can manage comfortably on an internet-connected device.
- Savings: Consider an offline hardware wallet if you can keep its device and backup secure and follow its recovery process.
Protect the wallet backup
A recovery phrase or other wallet backup can restore access to funds, so treat it like a secret that could give another person control. Wallet products do not all use the same backup wording, length, or format. Follow the specific wallet’s official setup and recovery instructions rather than assuming one format works everywhere. Trezor’s guide, for example, stresses keeping the backup offline and entering it in the correct order (Trezor: How to use a wallet backup).
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- Effortlessly build your crypto portfolio via the all in one Ledger Wallet app: buy, sell, send, receive, swap, stake and more across popular blockchains. 15,000+ coins & tokens in a single dashboard. Keep a close eye on the market. Compare service providers. Track performance. Get timely alerts. Build your portfolio with confidence.
- Effortlessly build your crypto portfolio via the all in one Ledger Wallet app: buy, sell, send, receive, swap, stake and more across popular blockchains. 15,000+ coins & tokens in a single dashboard. Keep a close eye on the market. Compare service providers. Track performance. Get timely alerts. Build your portfolio with confidence.
- Enjoy Bluetooth connectivity, iOS access, and hours of battery use with this mobile-first, secure backup signer. Freedom you can depend on.
- Genuine Check: confirm your signer is authentic during setup with the Ledger Wallet app.
- Protect your signer: keep it in mint condition at all times with a bespoke Pod or Case to avoid scratches and everyday wear and tear.
- During the wallet’s official setup flow, write the backup information down as instructed.
- Check every word or item for accuracy and confirm the order before relying on the backup.
- Store it offline in a place protected from ordinary damage and unauthorized access.
- Do not photograph or screenshot it, email it, upload it to cloud storage, or type it into an ordinary website, message, or support form.
- Never share it with someone claiming to be support. Ethereum.org advises: “Never, for any reason, share your recovery phrase or private keys!” (Ethereum security and scam prevention).
Keep the device and backup risks distinct. A suitable backup may restore access if the device is lost or fails. But if someone discovers a readable backup, they may be able to recover the wallet without your device.
Choose a backup format you can protect
Paper or card
A written backup is straightforward, but it can be damaged by water, fire, or wear and can be read by anyone who finds it. Follow the wallet maker’s instructions for completing and storing its backup card; Trezor specifically cautions against completing digital copies of its cards (Trezor wallet backup cards).
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- Proven security at scale: Over 9 years and millions of cards issued with no known remote hacks, while military‑grade EAL6+ security keeps your private keys locked inside the chip. Your cryptocurrencies stay strongly protected from online attackers.
- Tap once to manage your entire crypto wallet across 90 blockchains - no USB cables or Bluetooth, no batteries, no setup. Access 14,100+ coins & tokens, DeFi, NFTs, and staking instantly from your phone
- Smart backup: Use your second Tangem Wallet as your Backup keys with end‑to‑end encryption; no more papers, pictures. If one card is lost, the remaining can still restore full access, with an optional seed phrase available for advanced users.
- Engineered to last up to 25 years: Waterproof (IP69K), shockproof and tested for extreme temperatures from −25°C to 50°C. A durable cold wallet with long‑term protection and independently audited security.
- Trusted by 6 million users worldwide - buy, sell, swap, stake, and spend cryptocurrency directly. The secure offline storage wallet designed for how people actually use crypto wallets
Metal plate
A metal backup plate can help preserve recovery information through physical damage, according to manufacturers such as Ledger. It does not encrypt the words: anyone who finds a readable plate may gain access. Secure the plate as carefully as any other copy of the backup (Ledger: Seed Phrase Storage).
One copy or multiple locations
Keeping a backup in more than one secure location can reduce dependence on a single location, but every additional copy creates another opportunity for discovery or theft. Make copies only if you can secure each one and understand the added exposure; do not trade a single point of failure for several poorly protected copies. Bitcoin.org discusses backups and secure storage locations in its wallet-security guidance (Bitcoin.org: Securing your wallet).
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- All your digital assets in one place. You can manage thousands of crypto including Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, Tether and more.
- Defend your identity against hackers: secure your online accounts with passwordless, hardware backed, 2FA logins for all your favorite apps and websites.
- Connectivity: USB-C cable connection only. No Bluetooth.Compatible with the Ledger Wallet crypto app, both desktop (Windows, macOS, Linux) and mobile (Android only). Not compatible with iOS.
- Protect your digital assets with the industry's best security: keep your private keys offline in your private signer, battle-tested by the Donjon's white hat hackers, CC EAL 6+ certified Secure Element, constantly updated Ledger OS.
- Effortlessly build your crypto portfolio via the all in one Ledger Wallet app: buy, sell, send, receive, swap, stake and more across popular blockchains. 15,000+ coins & tokens in a single dashboard. Keep a close eye on the market. Compare service providers. Track performance. Get timely alerts. Build your portfolio with confidence.
Threshold shares
A threshold backup divides recovery material into shares, with a specified number needed to recover the wallet. It can reduce reliance on one complete backup, but adds operational complexity: losing too many shares can make recovery impossible. Trezor describes this approach as Shamir backup (Trezor: What is Shamir backup?).
Understand what a hardware wallet does—and does not—protect
Hardware wallets are designed to keep private keys offline, but they cannot prevent every way funds can be lost or misdirected. You still need to recognize phishing and scams, review transaction approvals carefully, protect the device and backup from physical threats, and avoid exposing recovery information. Bitcoin.org’s guidance covers wallet security and scam risks, while ethereum.org warns against sharing recovery phrases or private keys (Bitcoin.org: Securing your wallet; Ethereum security and scam prevention).
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- UNPARALLELED SECURITY: Protect your assets with Trezor Safe 5's NDA-free EAL 6+ Secure Element, offering robust defense and complete transparency.
- EFFORTLESS NAVIGATION: Experience seamless crypto management with the vibrant color touchscreen, designed for intuitive and user-friendly interactions.
- ENHANCED USER EXPERIENCE: Enjoy tactile confirmation with Trezor Touch Haptic Engine, making each interaction precise and engaging.
- SUPPORTS 1000s OF COINS & TOKENS: Securely handle thousands of assets, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, and more, all in one wallet.
- EASY ASSET MANAGEMENT: Monitor and transact seamlessly with Trezor Suite, our user-friendly desktop and mobile app
Use the wallet’s official recovery process if you need to restore access. Do not enter the backup into a site or form suggested by an unsolicited message or purported support contact.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Compare wallet choices before committing funds
There is no single wallet choice that suits every holder. Check the following before relying on a setup:
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- Dual-chip architecture for maximum protection: The next-gen, fully auditable TROPIC01 chip works alongside a certified EAL6+ Secure Element—completely NDA-free—to deliver radically transparent, industry-leading defense against physical attacks.
- Quantum-ready security: Get protection against future threats with the first-ever hardware wallet designed with quantum-ready architecture.
- See every detail with confidence: Our largest high-resolution color touchscreen makes it easy to navigate your assets, review transactions and manage your coins with clarity.
- Wireless freedom with encrypted Bluetooth control: Manage, buy, swap and stake securely using Trezor Suite on desktop or mobile. Qi2-compatible wireless charging keeps your Trezor powered up. No cables required—security meets convenience.
- Works seamlessly with Android, iOS and desktop: Connect wirelessly or via USB-C to your phone or computer. Manage your crypto anywhere with our companion Trezor Suite app.
- Key exposure: Is the wallet connected to the internet, or are its keys kept offline?
- Use pattern: How often will you need to spend or move funds?
- Recovery: What exact backup format and recovery steps does the wallet use?
- Physical security: Can you protect both the device and any written or metal backup from damage and unauthorized access?
- Asset support: Does the wallet support the cryptocurrencies you intend to manage?
- Manageable complexity: Can you reliably maintain the backup, any copies or shares, and the recovery instructions?
Support for particular cryptocurrencies and recovery formats depends on the wallet model and software. Confirm compatibility from the maker’s current documentation before choosing a device; do not assume that all hardware wallets support the same assets or backup methods.
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