The first step into the crypto world is often the easiest to make mistakes, especially when it comes to wallet management. I’ve been in this space for several years and have seen too many people suffer heavy losses due to a single improper operation. Today, I’ll share my experiences and lessons learned.

**About Device Selection**

First, you need to understand that your wallet device is your vault. Using a "clean" phone to manage your assets is essential—preferably a device that only has the phone card installed and no social media apps. If possible, an iPhone is the best choice; make sure to wipe it completely or start with a brand-new device before use. This is not overkill but a way to isolate risks from the source.

**How to Download Wallets Properly**

Once your device is ready, the next step is installing the wallet. Use a US account to download top-ranked apps from the official app store. Never be tempted to download from browsers or links sent by others just to save a few bucks. Fake wallets are everywhere, and one careless move can turn your device into someone else’s ATM.

**Protecting Mnemonic Phrases and Private Keys Is Crucial**

When you start creating a wallet, remember these two points: First, before registering, remove the SIM card and enable airplane mode to keep the phone completely offline; second, and most importantly, write down the mnemonic phrase by hand with a pen—never screenshot, photograph, or store it in the cloud. That string of words is the key to your assets; once leaked, you will lose everything permanently.