Trezor Hardware Wallet (Official) | Bitcoin & Crypto Security

Passphrases are a powerful feature in Trezor Suite that add an extra layer of security to your cryptocurrency. However, passphrases are often considered an advanced feature because they require careful handling — if forgotten, there is no way to recover the funds linked to that passphrase. Since the passphrase is never stored on your Trezor device, this makes it a tool for users who are confident in managing their own security.

If you’re using a Trezor hardware wallet or thinking about adding a passphrase to your crypto security routine, you probably have a few questions. In this post, we’ll break down the most common FAQs around passphrases to help you understand how they work and why they’re so important.

1. What is a passphrase and how does it work?

A passphrase is an additional layer of security for your Trezor wallet, granting access to a separate wallet beyond your standard wallet. Think of it as a secret key that unlocks a new “locker” within your wallet, where you can securely store the bulk of your crypto.

You can create and access as many wallets as you’d like by using different passphrases. Without the passphrase, you’ll only see your standard wallet. But with the right passphrase, you’ll unlock the specific wallet associated with it.

In essence,

Wallet backup = Standard wallet

Wallet backup + Passphrase = (Hidden) Passphrase wallet

Here’s what you need to know,

• A passphrase functions like an extra word added to your wallet backup (recovery seed)

• Using your wallet backup alone grants access to your standard wallet

• Each unique combination of ‘backup + passphrase’ grants access to a corresponding unique passphrase wallet.

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2. Is the passphrase only a Trezor feature? Can I access my hidden wallet with third-party apps like MetaMask?

Passphrases are not exclusive to Trezor. They work with many third-party apps, including MetaMask. The same combination of your wallet backup and passphrase will derive the same wallet with identical addresses, no matter which application you use.

3. If my wallet backup (recovery seed) is compromised, will the passphrase still protect my coins?

Yes!

Yes! A passphrase adds an extra layer of security even if your wallet backup is compromised. Since the passphrase is not stored on your Trezor device, your accounts remain protected. Without the specific passphrase, nobody can access the (hidden) passphrase wallets you’ve created.

4. What if I lose my Trezor device? Can I still access my funds?

Absolutely! If you lose your Trezor device, you can simply:

1. Buy a new one,

2. Import your wallet backup,

3. Enable the passphrase feature, and

4. Enter the exact same passphrase you used before.

This will give you access to your hidden wallet and your crypto, just as it was on the previous device.