SafePal makes two hardware wallets and they work quite differently. The SafePal S1 is fully air gapped: it has a camera and never connects to anything by cable or radio. The newer SafePal X1 connects over Bluetooth to the SafePal app. Both pair with the same mobile app, both back up to a recovery phrase, and both cost less than most rivals. This guide covers setup for each, then explains which one to choose.

Before you start

Check the box seal and confirm the device has not been set up. A genuine SafePal arrives with a blank recovery card. Install the SafePal app on your phone from the App Store or Google Play, searching for "SafePal" and checking the publisher. The app is the only interface for both devices; there is no desktop software.

Setting up the SafePal S1

Step 1: Charge and power on

The S1 has a battery that charges over USB. Charge it for an hour, then hold the power button. Choose your language. The S1 never uses the USB cable for data, only for power, which is part of its design.

Step 2: Create a PIN and a pattern

Set a 6 to 12 digit PIN on the device keypad. The S1 also asks for a lock pattern. Both are entered on the device, never on the phone.

Step 3: Write down the recovery phrase

Choose "Create new wallet" and pick 12 or 24 words. Write them on the recovery card in order. The device then asks you to re-enter a selection of words to confirm. The phrase is the only backup; the S1 is built to wipe itself if it detects physical tampering, so the words are what you fall back on. Move them to a steel backup such as the Billfodl for long term storage.

Step 4: Pair with the app by QR code

Open the SafePal app, choose "Add wallet", then "Hardware wallet". The app shows a QR code; scan it with the S1's camera. The S1 then shows a QR code of its own; scan it with your phone. The two are now paired, and no cable or radio was involved at any point.

Step 5: Receive and send

To receive, pick the coin in the app and tap Receive. Verify the address on the S1 screen before sharing it. To send, build the transaction in the app, which displays a QR code. Scan it with the S1, check the amount and destination on the device screen, approve, and the S1 shows a signed transaction as a QR code. Scan that with your phone and the app broadcasts it. It sounds like a lot of scanning, and it is, but it means the device holding your keys never touches a network.

Setting up the SafePal X1

Step 1: Power on and set a PIN

Hold the side button to turn on the X1. Set a PIN on the device.

Step 2: Write down the recovery phrase

Choose "Create wallet" and write down the 12 or 24 words shown on the screen, then confirm them on the device. Same rules as the S1: paper first, steel soon, never typed into anything.

Step 3: Pair over Bluetooth

In the SafePal app, choose "Add wallet", "Hardware wallet", and select the X1. Confirm the pairing code shown on both the phone and the device. Bluetooth is used only to move unsigned and signed transactions; the private keys stay in the X1's Secure Element.

Step 4: Receive and send

Receiving and sending work as on any Bluetooth wallet. Build the transaction in the app, confirm the details on the X1 screen, approve with the device buttons, and the app broadcasts it.

S1 or X1?

  • Choose the S1 if you want the most isolated design: no cable, no Bluetooth, nothing to connect. It is the better choice for larger holdings you move rarely.
  • Choose the X1 if you transact often from your phone and want speed. Bluetooth makes every transaction a few taps.

Both support a wide range of chains including Bitcoin, Ethereum, BNB Chain, Solana, Tron and thousands of tokens, which is one reason SafePal is popular with people who hold many small altcoins.

Things to know

  • The SafePal app also offers a software wallet. Make sure the wallet you are using in the app shows the hardware wallet icon, otherwise your keys are on the phone.
  • Firmware updates for the S1 are done through the app and a microSD card or USB, following the on screen prompts. Do not interrupt them.
  • The app includes a built in swap and DeFi browser. Every transaction from those features still requires approval on the hardware, which is the safety net.

Common questions

Can I restore a SafePal phrase into another wallet?

Yes. SafePal uses the BIP39 standard, so the 12 or 24 words restore into a Ledger, Trezor or any compatible wallet.

Is the S1 really safer than the X1?

The S1 removes two attack paths, the cable and the radio. For most people the difference is theoretical, since the keys are in a Secure Element either way. If the question keeps you up at night, buy the S1.

What if the battery dies?

Charge it. The keys are in non volatile memory and nothing is lost when the battery runs flat.

Buying and support

The Crypto Merchant is an authorized SafePal reseller. Devices ship sealed from Florida with free US shipping, and if the QR pairing on the S1 is giving you trouble, email or call and we will go through it with you.