2

If I buy a new Ledger out of the box (untampered by the seller) and generate its seed phrase (Attempt #1), but then format the device to factory settings in order to once again re-generate a seed phrase (Attempt #2), will both of these recovery attempts generate the exact same seed phrase for that specific device?

In other words, do Ledgers have a deterministic seed phrase hard-coded in them from inception?

Improve this question

1 Answer 1

Reset to default
2

From official documentation: https://www.thecryptomerchant.com/blogs/resources/hardware-wallet-recovery-seeds-explained

  • Your hardware wallet can generate an unlimited number of recovery seeds. Every time you reset or wipe the device and then initialize the hardware wallet as a new device, a new sequence of 12, 18 or 24 words will be generated. If your recovery seed gets compromised, then you can create a new recovery seed
Improve this answer
9
  • ok, so if you order a hardware wallet from Amazon, you can guarantee in your mind that it wasn't tampered with by the seller if: it asks you to generate a seed phrase? This prompt for sure means the seed phrase you're about to generate could not have been already generated (and recorded by the seller and then cleared) before the device was shipped to you?
    – user610620
    Commented Dec 24, 2022 at 11:00
  • If the wallet has not been tampered with. But there were cases of Leger wallets bought from third parties that were compromised in a way you described. I would still never use a second-hand Ledger wallet.
    – Sky
    Commented Dec 24, 2022 at 12:39
  • Do you have a source
    – user610620
    Commented Dec 24, 2022 at 21:25
  • Yeah, there was a number of articels about it. coindesk.com/tech/2021/06/17/…
    – Sky
    Commented Dec 25, 2022 at 6:46
  • 1
    if you order a hardware wallet from Amazon, you can guarantee in your mind that it wasn't tampered with by the seller if: it asks you to generate a seed phrase: This prompt for sure means the seed phrase you're about to generate could not have been already generated (and recorded by the seller and then cleared) before the device was shipped to you
    – user610620
    Commented Dec 25, 2022 at 11:01

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge you have read our privacy policy.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.