Trezor Safe 3 FAQs

This FAQ page addresses the most common questions regarding Trezor Safe 3 hardware wallets. If you still can't find the answer you're looking for, please contact us via our chatbot Hal, who will help resolve your issue.

Is the Safe 3 more secure than the Model T?

All Trezor hardware wallets offer a robust, secure self-custody solution. Although the hardware specifications differ between each model, the safety of your crypto is never compromised. The introduction of a dedicated Secure Element in the Trezor Safe 3 adds another layer of security to your funds, particularly if your device is stolen. However, by following the best practices of crypto security - which includes keeping your wallet backup (formerly recovery seed) private & safe and using a strong, memorable passphrase -  you can be sure that your digital assets remain safe.

Is the Secure Element open hardware and open source?

The addition of a Secure Element has been done in such a way that we do not compromise the open source nature of the Trezor Safe 3. This is discussed on the Secure Element in Trezor Safe 3 page.

Why is a secure element not present in other Trezor models?

When designing the Model One and Model T, the secure element options available at the time came with a non-disclosure agreement (NDA). As Trezor is proudly open source, we want to communicate freely and openly about all aspects of our devices, which an NDA prevents. So instead we focused on implementing other open security standards such as Passphrase and Shamir backup, and optimizing these for the Trezor ecosystem. During the design phase of the Trezor Safe 3, it was apparent that added protection against physical risks (e.g. theft or loss of a device) was a ‘must have’ feature for our new customers—in particular those looking to purchase their very first hardware wallet—so we had to ensure we found a secure element solution that was not bound by NDAs. We managed to do just that, and we have successfully delivered an open solution with added physical protection right out of the box.

Why did you introduce a secure element?

We really do listen to our customers, and added protection against physical attacks was one of the top requests for new Trezor hardware wallets. The Secure Element helps to keep your crypto assets safe if your device is ever lost or stolen. When combined with more advanced personal security standards such as Passphrase and Shamir backup, your assets have bullet-proof security.
 

Does the Trezor Safe 3 support 20-word wallet backups?

Yes - Trezor Safe 3 supports the new SLIP39 wallet backup standard and allows you to create both Single-share and Multi-share backups. For more information, please read our SLIP39 FAQs. 

Does the Trezor Safe 3 support 24-word wallet backups? Can I restore an existing 24-word seed phrase?

Yes. As the Trezor Safe 3 is BIP39 compatible, you can recover a 12, 18 and 24-word standard wallet backup using Trezor Safe 3. Learn more about security provided by 12 vs 24 word wallet backups. 

What is the difference in the supported coins compared to other models?

If you’re using the Trezor Safe 3 with Trezor Suite, you’ll get native support for Bitcoin, Ethereum, Ethereum Classic, Litecoin, XRP, Bitcoin Cash, Dogecoin, Zcash, Cardano, and thousands of other tokens.  For a complete list, check out the Coins page.

Does Trezor Safe 3 have a battery?

No. All Trezor hardware wallets are USB powered. The device will not power on until they are plugged into a computer.

Do you plan on selling the Trezor Safe 3 bitcoin-only device again?

Not right now. If you want a Bitcoin-only Trezor Safe 3, you can install Bitcoin-only firmware on your device.

Will there be a possibility to order Trezor Safe 3 from other resellers (e.g. Alza)?

Yes, we’ll be bringing the Trezor Safe 3 to our official resellers, including Amazon and Alza in the coming months.