Create Your First Wallet

Theory is useful, but nothing builds confidence like doing it. In this lesson you will create your very first Monero wallet from scratch and — just as importantly — verify that your backup actually works. These steps are generic, so they apply whether you chose the official GUI, Feather, Cake, or Monerujo. Take it slowly; you only need to do the setup carefully once.

Before You Start

Make sure you have:

• A wallet app downloaded from its official source (see Monero Wallet Types and the official downloads page).
• Pen and paper ready for your 25-word seed phrase.
• A quiet, private space with no cameras or onlookers — your seed will appear on screen.

Step 1: Choose "Create a New Wallet"

When you open a fresh wallet, it will offer options like Create new wallet, Restore from seed, or Open existing. Choose create new wallet. The app generates fresh, random keys for you. If asked to name the wallet and pick a storage location, do so — this name is just a local label.

Step 2: Set a Wallet Password

You will be asked to set a password (sometimes called a PIN). Understand the difference clearly:

• The password encrypts the wallet file on this device so others cannot open the app. It is local only.
• The seed phrase is the real backup. The password does not recover your funds if the device is lost.

Choose a strong, unique password — but remember it cannot replace your seed.

Step 3: Write Down Your Seed Phrase

The wallet now shows your 25 words. This is the critical moment:

1. Write all 25 words by hand, numbered, in the exact order shown.
2. Double-check spelling and that the 25th (checksum) word is included.
3. Do not screenshot it, photograph it, or paste it anywhere digital.

Store the paper offline. For larger amounts, plan a sturdier backup as described in Securing Your Seed.

Step 4: Verify Your Backup

A backup you never test is a backup you cannot trust. Verifying proves you copied the words correctly:

• Some wallets ask you to re-enter a few words right after setup — do this honestly from your paper, not from memory.
• For full confidence, restore the seed into a second, empty wallet (or a fresh profile) using the "Restore from seed" option. If it loads the same address, your backup is good.

Always verify before you put meaningful funds in. It is far better to find a mistake now, with an empty wallet, than after you have received coins.

Step 5: Let the Wallet Sync

Your wallet must talk to the Monero network to know your balance. It either runs its own node (downloading the blockchain, more private) or connects to a remote node (faster, slight privacy trade-off). A brand-new wallet has no funds, so syncing is quick. We cover node choices later in Running or Choosing a Node.

Step 6: Find Your Receiving Address

Open the Receive tab to see your primary address, a long string starting with 4. This is safe to share. We will use it next when you learn about receiving Monero and addresses.

Common First-Timer Mistakes

• Skipping the backup because the wallet is empty — back up first, fund later.
• Confusing the password with the seed — only the seed recovers funds.
• Storing the seed digitally — keep it offline and handwritten.
• Downloading from an unofficial link — a key topic in Phishing and Scams.

Congratulations — you now have a working, self-custodied Monero wallet and a verified backup. That puts you ahead of many newcomers who skip the verification step. Next, let's get funds flowing in by exploring how to receive Monero privately.