💻Setup Specific to Chromebooks
Written by Chef (Guardian of the Wolf Den)
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Written by Chef (Guardian of the Wolf Den)
Last updated
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Safety and security are paramount when conducting any activity involving your cryptocurrencies. This guide is not a deep dive into security best practices, so for a reference on safely navigating within the cryptocurrency ecosystem, refer to the Wolf Den security guides.
Protecting Yourself Wolf Den Safety and Security
I picked up my Chromebook on sale for $160 and the only thing I use this Chromebook for is my crypto. I don't do work, I don't watch movies, and I don't browse the web for anything other than the crypto sites I actively use. If I want to learn about a new token, for example, I do that on one of my other devices. Only after I have committed to buying will I navigate to the site on my Chromebook.
If you are able, purchase your Trezor T directly from Trezor (links below). This reduces the risk your device will be tampered with or otherwise compromised. If you are unable to order from Trezor, or they are Protecting Yourself Wolf Den Safety and Security sold out, purchase only from vendors listed on the Trezor website. Being overseas, this is what I opted to do. I found a vendor in the country where I live and bought from them.
TREZOR MODEL T EXPRESS (Get it ASAP)
TREZOR MODEL T RESERVE (Save around 13%, slower delivery)
TREZOR STORE Trezor offers many different packages that include unique and secure ways to save your SEED PHRASES that are more secure than paper.
The first thing to know when getting started with your Chromebook is that it is Linux-based, and runs apps that you download from the Google Play Store, many of which are the mobile version of the app. Therefore, some apps will not have the same functionality you may be used to from their PC or Mac versions.
Before you do anything crypto relates, make sure you have an antivirus/anti-malware program running as well as a VPN. For antivirus, I personally use BitDefender Security, which I downloaded from the Google Play Store. For my VPN, I use KeepSolid's VPN Unlimited mostly because I got a good price for the lifetime subscription. Before I do anything with my crypto, I ensure the VPN is running and I run a security scan in BitDefender, every time.
As mentioned above, ensure you have all your security measures in place before you begin. Because Chromebook uses the mobile version of many apps, including MetaMask and Brave browser. You cannot connect a hardware wallet to the mobile version of MetaMask, and I have been unable to use MetaMask with Brave on the Chromebook, therefore I use Chrome with the MetaMask extension.
Open Chrome and go to the MetaMask website. There, click download and choose the Chrome extension. Once MetaMask is installed, open MetaMask and create or import a wallet to get started with the extension. Now that you have MetaMask installed and ready to go, you will need to set up your Trezor T.
Trezor Model T Setup
I had no knowledge of setting up or using a hardware wallet before getting my Trezor T, and I found the setup to be fairly straightforward. While I don't have screenshots of my original setup, I used some shots from after-the-fact and some images I found online.
Before I began setting up my Trezor T, I read through most of the Trezor Wiki on setting up the device, so I would have a better idea of what to expect once I started.
There are two options for setting up your Trezor T for the first time.
If you plan to only connect your Trezor T to your Chromebook, which is my plan, then you will use the Trezor suite for web
Alternatively, you can set up your Trezor T for the first time on a PC or Mac using the desktop app and then connect it to the Chromebook for use. The desktop app is not available for Chromebooks.
For the Trezor suite for web, simply navigate to the official Trezor website and click "I already own Trezor." On the next page in the upper right corner, click "Trezor suite for web." The site will now step you through your setup. It will install the firmware on your Trezor and begin the wallet setup.
Tezor offers two options for your seed phrase:
A traditional 12 or 24 word seed phrase (although you have to take a few additional steps to enable the 24 word option), and Enabling 24 Word Seed Phrase
A Shamir backup option. I recommend this option given its increased security and redundancy option. If you want to learn more about the Shamir option, read the resources below.
Trezor Blog: Shamir Backup Trezor Wiki: Shamir Backup
Throughout the setup process, my recovery phrase was only ever displayed on the Trezor T screen itself. At no time did I type, view, or otherwise display the recovery phrase anywhere on my Chromebook.
Once you create your wallet and before you transfer any funds, I recommend you wipe it and reinstall it using the seed phrase(s) you just created. Alternately, you can use the Check Recovery Seed option in the Trezor suite for web settings. It may seem like a hassle, but it will ensure you copied your phrase(s) correctly. I also recommend you inscribe or stamp your phrase(s) onto a steel wallet backup for safe keeping. If you used the Shamir backup, use one steel wallet per phrase.
Okay, so you have your Chromebook and Trezor T setup, and seed phrase backups somewhere safe. Time to connect your Trezor to MetaMask and transfer your assets over.
Connect your Trezor to the Chromebook and, if you set a PIN (which you should have), unlock it.
Next, open Chrome, click on the MetaMask fox in the extensions bar, and unlock MetaMask using the password you set up earlier.
Once unlocked, click on the MetaMask menu (the colored circle on the upper right corner of the MetaMask window), and then click on "Connect Hardware Wallet." This will open MetaMask up in a full-sized browser window.
In the new window, click Trezor (it will tell you to connect your Trezor, so if you did not do that already, connect and unlock it now), and click “Continue."
This will open a Trezor Connect window and step you through connecting your hardware wallet. Just follow the steps. When it asks for a passphrase, you can leave it blank to use the default wallet, or type in a passphrase here for added security. If you use a passphrase, ensure you remember it, as it will not be stored anywhere. You can have as many passphrase as you want. It will create a new wallet for every passphrase you enter.
You will then choose your wallet address. Choose whichever one you want to use, and click continue. It should now show your wallet in MetaMask.
To transfer funds, start with BNB. I recommend a small test amount first such as .01 BNB. If you are transferring from an existing MetaMask account, the easiest way is to open the wallet you already have, click on your BNB, and then click send. It will ask you for your destination wallet address. If you followed the steps above and you Trezor is connected, click “Transfer between my accounts,” and click on your new Trezor wallet to set the destination. Enter the amount you want to transfer and click send.
Alternatively, if you are transferring from a wallet outside MetaMask, copy the Trezor wallet address, and go over to your other wallet app/website, and initiate the transfer from there. Be sure to verify the Trezor wallet address you paste is correct. You want to be sure you didn’t paste the wrong address or it was not changed by malware.
Once your transaction is complete, open your Trezor wallet in MetaMask to verify your BNB arrived. If it is there, go ahead and begin to transfer your tokens over. Remember, if you have tokens or assets staked on sites, you will need to unstake them first so they are in your wallet.
If you have NFTs to transfer, follow the instructions at the bottom of this guide:
Now that your tokens are in your new Trezor wallet, you can go back and re-stake them where you had them before. When you’re ready, navigate to the site where you want to stake them.
When you connect your wallet to the site, you will choose the MetaMask option and then choose your new Trezor wallet from the list.
Because this is a new wallet, you will have to re-authorize all the farms, pools, etc before you use them. When you click “authorize” or “approve,” MetaMask will pop up the usual window to confirm your transaction. Once you click “confirm,” a new window will open and step you through the transaction. It will start in the new window where you confirm the use of the Trezor. It will then transition the transaction confirmation to the Trezor itself.
It will ask you to verify the contract address you are using and then the gas fee. Once you “Hold to confirm,” the transaction will execute. Check your wallet activity to verify the transaction went through. And that is it.
Once you are complete with your transactions, click on the three dots next to your Trezor wallet and remove the wallet. When you need to access your wallet again, simply repeat the steps above to connect your Trezor T.
In my experience, about 25% of the time I have some issue completing transactions. Usually the problem that manifests is the Trezor window does not open after clicking confirm in MetaMask when starting a transaction. The second issue I tend to see is the yellow pending wheel just spins and nothing happens.
Some combination of the following fixes the problems:
Changing my VPN connection location
Unplugging and re-connecting the Trezor
Removing the wallet and reconnecting in MetaMask
Clearing your Chrome browser cache and browsing history
A best practice that reduces these occurrences is, once you are complete with your transactions:
Unplug your Trezor from your computer
Remove your wallet from MetaMask
Lock MetaMask
Clear your browser cache and history, and close Chrome
Shut down your Chromebook
These are my experiences and options and are provided for informational purposes only. Before making any purchases or transferring funds, ensure you do your own research into these technologies.
