How do you differentiate two same hardware wallets?

[jerry0]

Assuming you have two hardware wallets the same one, whether its the nano ledger s or x or trezor, how do you differentiate the two hardware wallets before you enter the pin?


Do you use the same pin or not?  Because if you don't, then when entering the pin, you would get it incorrect because the pin would be for the other hardware wallet and then you only have two pin attempts left.


Do you put a sticker over on it or something?  I do see there seem to be many different colors now with the nano ledger s. 

[witcher_sense]

Do you use the same pin or not?  Because if you don't, then when entering the pin, you would get it incorrect because the pin would be for the other hardware wallet and then you only have two pin attempts left.

Why is this a big problem if the number of remaining attempts is higher than the number of possible PINs? Moreover, even if you had three exactly the same hardware wallets, three PIN attempts would be sufficient to access all three wallets because you would have nine attempts to try three combinations. For example, if you enter a PIN on one hardware wallet and it is unsuccessful, that means you have two options left: this PIN will unlock either the second or third hardware wallet. Anyway, it is not a good idea to buy hardware wallets from the same manufacturer because that greatly increases the attack surface: if there is an unnoticed vulnerability or a manufacturer goes malicious, your system is compromised, and all your funds are gone.

[crwth]

I think that's the easiest way to put a sticker over something, but for sure, other methods would help you remember.

Like keeping it in two different places, once you have identified the other, you would be sure of the other.

The pin shouldn't be the same for the devices because you wouldn't be able to check it right away. But at the same time, you can have the same pin, but you could install different apps for each device. For example, device one would have BTC, ETH, ADA. Device 2 would have ETH, XRP, BNB. Something like that.

Would you have multiple apps installed for that?

[Maus0728]

- Put whatever Indicator that makes the hardware wallet different from the other.
- Or buy 2 different hardware wallet from Trezor and Ledger

These 2 manufacturers are also selling variety of colors that you can choose from according to your preference. And If you have extra budget, you can purchase 2 different color of silicone case for each of your Trezor.

[SFR10]

Assuming you have two hardware wallets the same one, whether its the nano ledger s or x or trezor, how do you differentiate the two hardware wallets before you enter the pin?

In addition to @Maus0728's post about Trezor devices, you can also set a custom home screen for each.

and then you only have two pin attempts left.

That only applies to Ledger wallets... With Trezor wallets, you'd get 15 more attempts before it wipes your device.

[Pmalek]

You shouldn't use the same PIN on both devices. It's safer having different PINs. If someone finds both HWs and knows one of the PINs, they wouldn't be able to access the second device. That's not the case if the same code unlocks both.   

Mark them any way that you personally will be able to differentiate them. Take a permanent market and write '1' and '2' on them if you want. '1' is for your older PIN, '2' is for the one you came up with last. But than you have to remember what '1' and '2' stands for. Although I don't see the problem. If you made a mistake with the first PIN entry, you still have two left. And even if you make two more mistakes, you can always restore your wallet with the seed phrase.

[m2017]

I think that's the easiest way to put a sticker over something, but for sure, other methods would help you remember.

Actually there are many options. The sticker option is the easiest. If continue to develop this idea, then it was possible to buy hardware wallets in different case colors. For example, Ledger Nano S can be bought with different colors (about 5 shades if I'm not mistaken). At Trezor, can also choose the color of the case: black and white. As far as I remember, this does not affect the cost in any way. But this is when you are just going to buy wallets.

If you already have hardware wallets, then I see the simplest solution in crwth's idea with a sticker.

[dkbit98]

Rule number one for all crypto dummies out there is NEVER use the same pin or password multiple times, and it seems that I have to repeat this all the time.
I know some people who in 2022 still use only one password for all websites and their accounts, just because it's easy to remember 
If I tell them to use different passwords and password managers, they say it's hard, but people like this get hacked so easy all the time.