This FAQ page addresses the most common questions regarding Trezor Safe 5 hardware wallets. If you still can't find the answer you're looking for, please contact us via our chatbot Hal, who will help resolve your issue.
When did the Trezor Safe 5 come out?
The Trezor Safe 5 was introduced at BTC Prague 2024 and was released on the 14th of June, 2024.
Is the Trezor Safe 5 better than the Trezor Safe 3?
The Trezor Safe 5 features some upgrades from the Trezor Safe 3. The most noticeable difference is the touchscreen with haptic feedback which makes setting up wallets, recovering wallet backups (formerly known as recovery seeds) and signing transactions a much easier and more efficient visual and tactile experience. We have also upgraded the screen with scratch-resistant gorilla glass. Both devices contain the same secure element chip and offer the same level of security for your funds.
The Trezor Safe 5 was created for users who regularly trade and interact on-chain. Signing transactions is very easy on the Trezor Safe 5 thanks to the touchscreen. There are also some fun features like setting a custom a homescreen with your own images and rotating the screen orientation!
Is using a Trezor Safe 5 safer than holding your coins on an exchange?
When you use a Trezor Safe 5 to hold your keys, you own your funds and may use them however you wish. When your funds are on an exchange, you are not the actual owner of the funds, but rather the owner of a claim to the exchange’s funds. There is always a chance that an incident which is out of your control may cause you to lose the ability to withdraw your funds from an exchange.
Taking control of your own assets through self custody keeps your funds safe from events like the exchange going out of business or your account being hacked.
However, this also means that you take full responsibility for your funds and understand that if you lose access to your keys, you also lose access to your funds - but don’t worry, we’ve come up with some ways to help you protect against that!
What are Single-share and Multi-share backups on the Trezor Safe 5?
When setting up your Trezor Safe 5 you’ll be asked if you want to set up a Single-share or Multi-share backup. The 20 word SLIP39 standard is the default for our users because it provides additional options for storing backups, helping you keep your funds safe over time. For more information about SLIP39 and why you should use it, please read our full article about SLIP39.
I’m used to 12 and 24 word wallet backups. Can I still use those with Trezor Safe 5?
Of course! Just select the Legacy Backup Types option when setting up your wallet. You’ll be able to create and recover 12 and 24 word wallet backups as usual. However, we do recommend you use the 20 word SLIP39 standard if you set up a new wallet because it gives you the option to create new wallet backups later.
What is the best way to store my wallet backups for the Trezor Safe 5?
We recommend using the Trezor Keep Metal for an extra layer of protection to your wallet backups. Storing your wallet backups on metal protects you against losing them in the case of fire, flood, or ink wearing away after a long time.
How do I use a passphrase on the Trezor Safe 5?
The Trezor Safe 5 supports passphrases, which add an extra layer of security. You can create as many passphrase wallets as you’d like on top of your existing wallet. Each passphrase generates a new wallet that is only accessible with that exact passphrase. Think of a passphrase as an additional string of characters you choose on top of your existing 12, 20 or 24 word wallet backup, which you'll need to enter when recovering a wallet using the passphrase feature.
You can access the passphrase feature by clicking on the drop-down menu in Trezor Suite on the top left, next to your displayed Trezor Safe 5. Then, you can click on "passphrase wallet" and follow the on screen instructions.
The Trezor Safe 5 comes with an easy to use touchscreen which allows you to enter your passphrase on the device.
Important: This is an advanced feature, so please ensure you fully understand how it works before using it.
If you send funds to a passphrase wallet, you must have the correct passphrase to access them. If you forget or lose the passphrase, you will not be able to access your funds! A passphrase is not a password, and it cannot be reset or recovered if it is lost.
We do not have access to any passphrases you set. Even with your complete 12, 20 or 24 word backup, you will not be able to access your funds without the passphrase if you send your funds to a passphrase wallet.
We reccomend you write down your passphrase and keep it separate from both your Wallet Backup and Trezor device. Decide how many copies you want to make, but consider creating an extra copy stored in a different location for added security. Do not store any of these copies digitally - this includes as a picture on your phone, a file on your computer, or in your password manager.
If you choose not to write down your passphrase, consider creating a hint that reminds you of it. Be cautious: if the hint is too hard to decipher and you forget the passphrase, or if beneficiaries need to guess it, you will lose access to your funds. Make sure the hint is clear and memorable, accounting for details like case sensitivity, spaces, or punctuation.
What happens if someone steals my Trezor Safe 5 or if it it breaks?
As long as you still control the wallet backups (and passphrase if you choose to use that feature) you will be able to access your funds on a new Trezor device or other type of wallet. This is why you should never share these words with anyone, or ever type them into any device that connects to the internet. Regardless of how well you take care of your Trezor Safe 5, your funds will be at risk if anyone accesses your wallet backups (and passphrases if you choose to use that feature). When it comes to cryptocurrency, this is the most common way for people to lose access to their funds, so always be vigilant and remember to never share your wallet backups and passphrases.
If your Trezor Safe 5 is stolen and the thief doesn’t know your PIN, they will not be able to access your funds. It is not possible to extract any information from the device thanks to the secure element. For more information on this, please read the following section.
How safe is the Trezor Safe 5?
The Trezor Safe 5 features a robust, dedicated EAL6+ certified secure element which enhances the physical security of your device adding a layer of safety to the PIN protection mechanism. The secure element also plays an important role in verifying the authenticity of your device.
Simply put, the secure element chip protects your PIN without learning it, meaning that someone who physically takes your device will not be able to extract the keys to your funds from it. Just remember that no matter how secure the device is, your funds are only as secure as your wallet backups and passphrases, and that anyone who accesses them will also be able to access your funds!
Is the Trezor Safe 5 protected from malware?
As long as you only install official firmware from within Trezor Suite, the Trezor Safe 5 is safe from malware. However, you should note that Trezor is not able to protect you from malware which is installed on your computer. For this reason, you should always make sure to verify every address you send to from your device as well, and to check your recieving address is also correct every time you use one to recieve funds to your wallet.
To ensure safety of your funds and avoid malware, only use official firmware updates installed within Trezor Suite. If you open the bootloader and install custom firmware, this may expose you to malware. We do not reccomend using custom firmware unless you know exactly what you are doing.
How do I know my Trezor Safe 5 is authentic?
The Trezor Safe 5 automatically runs an authenticity check when plugged into your computer and connected to Trezor Suite. To learn more about the authenticity check, please read this article.
If you suspect your device has been tampered with or it fails the authenticity check, do not interact with it and contact our chatbot Hal immidiately.
I only want to use Bitcoin with my Trezor Safe 5. What are my options?
We offer a Trezor Safe 5 with Bitcoin-only firmware. You are also welcome to load the Bitcoin-only firmware on a normal Trezor Safe 5, or load the universal firmware onto the Bitcoin-only Trezor Safe 5.
How can I see if my non-Bitcoin cryptocurrencies are supported on the Trezor Safe 5?
The Trezor Safe 5 with universal firmware supports a wide variety of cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin, Ethereum and Solana. For a complete list of supported cryptocurrencies, please consult our coins article to check if your assets are compatible with the Trezor Safe 5.
Does the Trezor Safe 5 support NFTs?
Yes, it is possible to store your NFTs using the Trezor Safe 5 as long as they are on supported blockchains. Always ensure that the NFTs you send to your wallet are on supported blockchains before you send them, otherwise you may not be able to recover them.
It is important to note that Trezor Suite does not support viewing or interactions with NFTs at this time, meaning that you will need to use a third party wallet such as Rabby or Metamask to interact with any NFT sent to the wallets your Trezor Safe 5 controls. For example, if you send a NFT over the Ethereum network to a Ethereum address controlled by your Trezor Safe 5, you will need to connect a third party wallet if you chose to interact with it in any way.
Is the Trezor Safe 5 traceable?
Trezor deletes your data 90 days after a purchase if you choose to use our e-shop to buy your Trezor Safe 5. When using Trezor Suite and your Trezor Safe 5, it is not possible for us or anyone else to identify your transactions based on the purchase of your device.
Most blockchains are public, meaning that all transactions are there for the world to see the second they happen. If you publicly post your address or if it is included in a data leak, any transaction related to that address can be traced back to you very easily. For this reason, we reccomend using a new address for each transaction.
Where is the safest place to buy a Trezor Safe 5?
Trezor Shop is the best place to purchase a Trezor hardware wallet and accessories. You can also buy Trezor devices from our official resellers.