1. Obtain the authentic application
Always download Trust Wallet through the official distribution channel appropriate for your device. For iOS, use the Apple App Store listing maintained by the Trust Wallet organization. For Android, prefer the Google Play listing; advanced users can obtain the official APK from trustwallet.com/download — however, direct APKs should be verified using published checksums and digital signatures before installation.
2. Initialize the wallet
When first launching Trust Wallet, choose the option to create a new wallet. The application will generate a mnemonic recovery phrase (commonly 12 words). Write the phrase legibly on paper or use an approved metal backup solution that is resistant to fire and water. Do not photograph or store the phrase in cloud storage or any online service. During initialization, select a strong, unique app PIN and enable biometric authentication where available for convenient, layered protection.
3. Backup & redundancy
Maintain at least one geographically separate backup of your recovery phrase. Use tamper-resistant storage and consider an air-gapped backup strategy for high value holdings. Periodically verify the readability and integrity of your stored backup material.
4. Verification & ongoing hygiene
Verify app integrity by checking published checksums on the official site and validating any provided signatures. Avoid side-loading from untrusted third-party stores. Keep the application and your device firmware up to date; enable automatic updates where practical. Exercise caution when connecting to websites that request wallet signatures — only sign transactions that you explicitly recognize, and confirm all recipient addresses.
5. Interacting with dApps & DeFi
When using decentralized applications, prefer well-audited protocols and review contract approvals carefully. Use allow-lists for smart contract approvals when possible and revoke unnecessary approvals periodically. For large transactions, consider performing a small test transaction first to confirm expected behavior.
6. Recovery & incident response
If you suspect the compromise of your device, immediately transfer high-value assets to a new wallet whose recovery phrase was generated on a secure, uncompromised device. If your recovery phrase is lost and you do not have a backup, assets cannot be recovered. Maintain a documented incident response plan and keep your recovery mechanisms secure.
7. Formal privacy considerations
Trust Wallet does not collect your private keys; however, on-device metadata may be used for analytics or functionality. Review the official privacy policy for details on telemetry and opt-out options where offered.