Monero hardware wallets: Ledger and Trezor in 2026
Ledger and Trezor are the two hardware wallet makers that support Monero in October 2026. Neither manages XMR in its own app: you connect the device to the Monero GUI or CLI, Feather or Cake Wallet, which sync the blockchain while the keys stay on the device.
Quick steps
- Update the device. Install the latest firmware and, for Ledger, the Monero app using the maker's official software.
- Install a companion wallet. Download the Monero GUI from getmonero.org or Feather from featherwallet.org, typed by hand, and verify the hash and signature.
- Create a hardware wallet file. In the GUI choose to create a new wallet from a hardware device; in Feather choose the hardware wallet option. Set a restore height if the device already holds funds.
- Let it sync. The app scans the blockchain with the view key from the device. Keep the device connected and unlocked during first setup.
- Verify your address on the device. Use the show-on-device option and compare the address on the device screen before receiving funds.
- Test with a small amount. Receive and send a small amount, confirming the outgoing transaction on the device screen.
The short answer
A hardware wallet keeps your Monero spend key on a separate device, so malware on your computer or phone cannot simply copy it. For Monero you need two things: a supported device and a compatible wallet app. Ledger Live and Trezor Suite do not show XMR balances; Trezor's own page says Monero is "not natively supported in the Trezor Suite app".
Supported devices and apps
| Device | Models listed for Monero | Works with | Minimum firmware (getmonero.org) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ledger | Nano S, Nano S Plus, Nano X | Monero GUI, CLI, Feather, Cake Wallet, Monerujo | Nano S 2.1.0; S Plus 1.0.3; Nano X 2.0.2 |
| Trezor | Model T, Safe 3, Safe 5 (getmonero.org); Safe 7 also listed by trezor.io | Monero GUI, CLI, Feather (not Safe 7); Cake Wallet since v6.2 (Safe 7 only on iOS) | 2.5.2 |
The Trezor Model One does not support Monero. Ledger's touchscreen Flex and Stax also run the Monero app: Cake Wallet has supported them since v4.22.0 (19 December 2024), and Feather's documentation lists them. getmonero.org still lists only the Nano S, S Plus and X, so check GUI support before buying a Flex or Stax for desktop use.
Ledger or Trezor?
| Ledger | Trezor | |
|---|---|---|
| Firmware | Closed secure-element firmware; the Monero app is open source | Open-source firmware |
| Mobile use for XMR | Cake Wallet; Monerujo on Android (USB) | Cake Wallet |
| Desktop use for XMR | GUI, CLI, Feather | GUI, CLI, Feather |
| Past Monero incident | March 2019 bug (app plus GUI/CLI 0.14) hid change outputs; funds recovered after a patch | None found |
Both are reasonable. People who value open firmware tend to pick Trezor; people who want Monerujo on Android pick Ledger. Our detailed comparison: Ledger vs Trezor for Monero.
How it works
The companion app creates a wallet linked to the device. The app downloads and scans blocks, so it needs your private view key, which the device shares with it. The spend key never leaves the device, and every outgoing transaction must be confirmed on the device screen. That means a compromised computer can see your incoming payments but cannot spend without your physical approval.
Check the receiving address on the device screen, not only on your monitor, before giving it to someone.
FCMP++ and hardware wallets
Monero's next upgrade, FCMP++ with the Carrot address scheme, changes how transactions are built and how wallets scan. Developers have been doing outreach to hardware-wallet makers (per a Monero developer's CCS proposal of February 2026), and the October 2026 stressnet v3.0 added offline-signing support relevant to hardware wallets. There was no mainnet date as of October 2026. Expect to update both the device app and the companion wallet before the fork. Do not buy a device based on a promise of FCMP++ support that the maker has not published. More in the FCMP++ explainer.
What a hardware wallet does not protect
- Your seed backup. Anyone who finds the recovery words can take your funds without the device. Store them offline, away from the device.
- Privacy of incoming payments. The companion app holds your view key, so malware on that computer could see what you receive.
- Fake companion apps. A trojanised wallet app can show you a wrong receiving address. Always confirm addresses on the device screen.
- Network privacy. The node you connect to still sees your IP address. Use your own node or Tor.
Alternatives to a hardware wallet
- Offline signing with Feather: keep a wallet on an offline computer and sign transactions with animated QR codes.
- View-only wallet plus cold wallet: watch your balance on a connected device while the spend key stays offline. See Monero cold storage and view keys.
- Paper backup: only of the seed, written by hand; never generated on a website.
Buying and setup safety
- Buy from the maker's official shop or an authorised reseller. Type trezor.io or ledger.com yourself.
- Never accept a device that arrives with a pre-printed seed.
- Get companion apps from getmonero.org, featherwallet.org or cakewallet.com, and verify downloads.
- No real Monero or hardware-wallet site asks you to type your recovery phrase to "connect hardware". A fake Monero site reported on 30 September 2025 did exactly that.
- Send a small test transaction, then restore from the seed on the device to confirm your backup works.
Frequently asked questions
Can I see Monero in Ledger Live or Trezor Suite?
No. Both require a third-party wallet for XMR. Use the Monero GUI or CLI, Feather or Cake Wallet; Ledger also works with Monerujo on Android.
Does the Trezor Model One support Monero?
No. Trezor lists Monero support for its newer models such as the Safe 3, Safe 5 and Safe 7, and getmonero.org also lists the Model T.
Does Ledger Flex or Stax support Monero?
Yes, with Cake Wallet (since December 2024) and Feather, according to their own documentation. getmonero.org lists only the Nano S, S Plus and X for the official GUI, so confirm GUI support before relying on it.
Will my hardware wallet work after FCMP++?
It should, after updates. Device makers and wallet developers will need to ship new versions for the FCMP++ fork, which had no mainnet date as of October 2026. Your seed stays the same.