VaultStart

Secure hardware wallet onboarding

Welcome to VaultStart — your secure wallet setup

VaultStart guides you step by step to set up a hardware-secure wallet, create your recovery material, and safely connect to applications. Follow the setup checklist carefully — security is a process, not a single click.

Why VaultStart?

S

Simple first-use flow

Clear steps: device check, PIN creation, recovery generation, and network pairing — designed to minimize common mistakes.

P

Privacy-forward

No cloud backups and no unnecessary telemetry — you control your keys, and we never see them.

R

Recoverable, not replicable

Recovery phrases are human-readable and designed for offline storage: learn best practises for long-term preservation.

C

Continuous verification

We show clear verification prompts for every action so you always know what the device is doing.

Quick start checklist

  1. 1
    Unbox & verify

    Check the device packaging and tamper-evident seals before connecting. Only proceed if the packaging looks intact and original.

  2. 2
    Install official client

    Download the official VaultStart client from our site and verify the installer checksum. Never use unknown third-party apps to set up keys.

  3. 3
    Create device PIN

    Choose a PIN you can remember but that is not trivially guessable. Never share it or store it in plaintext online.

  4. 4
    Write your recovery

    Write your recovery words on paper or metal backup and store them in separate secure locations. Consider a fireproof and waterproof backup.

How to store a recovery phrase

Write each word clearly on a dedicated piece of paper and consider engraving it on a metal plate for long-term durability. Divide copies between trusted, secure locations to reduce single points of failure.

Protecting your PIN

Use a PIN with at least 6 digits and avoid patterns related to your personal information. If your device locks after multiple wrong attempts, that protects against brute-force attacks but also means you must remember your PIN.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if I lose my recovery phrase?

If you lose the recovery phrase and you no longer have access to the device, there is no guaranteed way to recover funds. This is why backups are essential. If funds are critical, consider professional recovery services only from reputable firms — these are expensive and not always successful.

Can I back up to cloud storage?

Cloud backups expose your recovery material to online risks. If you choose digital storage, use strong encryption and split secrets across multiple secure storage providers. Best practice remains offline physical backups in multiple secure places.

When should I update firmware?

Only install firmware from official releases. Read release notes and verify signatures where provided. Schedule updates when you can afford to take time for extra verification steps.