What Is Trust Wallet?
Trust Wallet is a non-custodial mobile wallet, which means you — not a company — control your private keys. It was originally built in 2017, acquired by Binance in 2018, and has since grown into a standalone product supporting over 100 blockchains including Ethereum, BNB Smart Chain, Solana, Polygon, Bitcoin, and many more.
Because it is non-custodial, there is no account to create on a server. Your wallet lives entirely on your device, secured by a 12-word recovery phrase that you must protect with your life.
Step 1: Download Trust Wallet
iOS (iPhone/iPad)
- Open the App Store.
- Search for “Trust: Crypto & Bitcoin Wallet”.
Android
- Open the Google Play Store.
- Search for “Trust Wallet”.
> Warning: There are fake Trust Wallet apps on both stores. Always verify the developer name and check reviews before installing. Only download from the official website trust.io or the links listed there.
Step 2: Create a New Wallet
When you open Trust Wallet for the first time, you are presented with two options: Create a New Wallet or I already have a wallet. If you are starting fresh, tap Create a New Wallet.
Write Down Your 12-Word Recovery Phrase
This is the most important step in this entire guide. Trust Wallet will show you a 12-word recovery phrase (also called a seed phrase or mnemonic). This phrase is the master key to your wallet.
Rules you must follow:
- Write it on paper — never type it into any app, document, or phone note.
- Store the paper somewhere safe, such as a fireproof safe or a secure drawer.
- Never photograph it or store it in cloud storage (iCloud, Google Drive, etc.).
- Never share it with anyone, including Trust Wallet support.
- Make two copies and store them in separate physical locations.
After writing it down, Trust Wallet will ask you to confirm the phrase by selecting words in the correct order. This verification step ensures you recorded it accurately.
Once confirmed, your wallet is created.
Step 3: Secure Your Wallet with Biometrics and PIN
After creation, Trust Wallet will prompt you to set up security options:
Enable Biometric Lock
- This ensures no one can open the app without your face or fingerprint.
Set a Passcode
If biometrics are unavailable, set a 6-digit passcode. Avoid obvious codes like 123456 or your birth year.
Auto-Lock
Set the app to lock automatically after a short period of inactivity — 1 minute is ideal. Find this under Settings > Security > Auto-Lock.
Step 4: Import an Existing Wallet
If you already have a wallet from another app (MetaMask, Exodus, Coinbase Wallet, etc.), you can import it using your recovery phrase.
- Select the wallet type (Multi-Coin Wallet for most use cases).
- Enter your 12-word or 24-word recovery phrase.
Trust Wallet will derive your wallet addresses from the phrase and show your balances.
> Note: Importing a wallet does not move funds. It simply gives Trust Wallet access to the same addresses. Your existing wallet app still works.
Step 5: Add Tokens to Your Wallet
Trust Wallet automatically shows a curated list of popular tokens, but not every token appears by default.
Add a Token from the Built-In List
- Search for the token name or symbol.
- Toggle it on.
Add a Custom Token Manually
If a token is not in the list:
- Tap the toggle icon.
- Select the correct network (e.g., Ethereum, BNB Smart Chain).
- The token name, symbol, and decimals will fill in automatically.
Step 6: Receive Crypto
To receive crypto into your Trust Wallet:
- Tap the coin you want to receive (e.g., Ethereum).
- You will see a QR code and your wallet address (a long string starting with 0x for Ethereum).
- Share this address or QR code with the sender.
> Critical: Always double-check the network. If someone is sending you USDT on BNB Smart Chain (BEP-20), you must give them your BNB Smart Chain address — not your Ethereum address. Sending to the wrong network can result in lost funds.
Step 7: Send Your First Transaction
- Tap the coin you want to send.
- Paste or scan the recipient’s address.
- Enter the amount.
The transaction will appear as “Pending” and confirm within seconds to minutes depending on the network.
Step 8: Navigate the App
| Section | What It Does |
|---|---|
| Home | Shows your token balances |
| Discover | Access DApps, DeFi, NFTs |
| Buy | Purchase crypto with fiat (card/bank) |
| Swap | Exchange tokens within the app |
| Earn | Staking and yield opportunities |
| Settings | Security, notifications, preferences |
Step 9: Verify Your Backup Works
At any point you can verify your recovery phrase is correctly saved:
- Tap the three dots next to your wallet.
- Authenticate with biometrics or PIN.
- Confirm the phrase matches what you wrote down.
It is worth doing this verification on a regular basis to ensure your backup is intact.
Step 10: Key Security Settings Checklist
| Setting | Recommended |
|---|---|
| Biometric Lock | Enabled |
| Auto-Lock | 1 minute |
| Notification for transactions | Enabled |
| Recovery phrase backed up | On paper, 2 copies |
| Recovery phrase digital copy | Never |
| App source | Official App Store / Play Store only |
Common Beginner Mistakes to Avoid
Storing the seed phrase digitally. Screenshots, Google Docs, email drafts — all of these are hackable. Paper only.
Ignoring network selection. Sending Ethereum-based tokens on the wrong network is one of the most common causes of lost funds. Always confirm the network before sending.
Using Trust Wallet on public Wi-Fi. Avoid approving transactions or accessing your wallet on shared networks.
Falling for fake support. Trust Wallet has no live chat. Anyone who messages you claiming to be Trust Wallet support asking for your seed phrase is a scammer.
Not testing with a small amount first. When sending to a new address for the first time, always send a small test amount before the full amount.
FAQ
Is Trust Wallet safe for beginners?
Yes. Trust Wallet is one of the most beginner-friendly non-custodial wallets available. The key risk is user error — specifically losing or exposing the recovery phrase. Follow the backup instructions carefully.
Does Trust Wallet charge fees?
Trust Wallet itself charges no fees for storage or transfers. You do pay standard network fees (gas) to the blockchain, which go to miners or validators, not to Trust Wallet.
Can I use Trust Wallet on a computer?
Trust Wallet has a browser extension available for Chrome-based browsers. However, its primary strength is as a mobile wallet.
What happens if I lose my phone?
As long as you have your 12-word recovery phrase, you can restore your wallet on any new device by choosing “I already have a wallet” and entering the phrase.
How many wallets can I have in Trust Wallet?
You can create or import multiple wallets within the same app. Each wallet has its own recovery phrase.
Is Trust Wallet owned by Binance?
Yes, Binance acquired Trust Wallet in 2018. However, Trust Wallet operates as a separate product and remains non-custodial — Binance does not have access to your funds.
What blockchains does Trust Wallet support?
Trust Wallet supports over 100 blockchains including Ethereum, BNB Smart Chain, Solana, Bitcoin, Polygon, Avalanche, Cosmos, Tron, and many more.
Can I store NFTs in Trust Wallet?
Yes. Trust Wallet has a built-in NFT gallery. NFTs on Ethereum and BNB Smart Chain are automatically visible if the network is selected.
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