Trezor.io/Start | Starting® Up® Your® Device®

Welcome — quick overview

This guide walks you through every step necessary to safely unbox, initialize, and operate your Trezor hardware wallet. It covers software download, device setup, recovery seed management, firmware updates, sending and receiving crypto, advanced options (passphrase & multisig), and essential security best practices.

Read the whole guide before you begin. Secure setup takes a little time, but those minutes significantly reduce the risk of loss or theft later.

Start Setup Security First

Quick checklist

Unbox and inspect your device for tampering
Download official Trezor Suite from trezor.io/start
Have a pen and the recovery card or metal backup ready
Set a strong PIN and record your recovery seed offline

What’s in the box

Trezor packaging varies by model, but typically includes:

The device — Trezor Model One, Model T, or a similar official hardware wallet
USB cable — for connection to your computer or power source
Recovery card(s) — paper cards for writing your seed phrase
Quick start leaflet — basic safety tips and directions
Seals & packaging — check for tampering

If any of these items are missing or packaging looks tampered, stop and contact the seller or Trezor support before proceeding.

Prerequisites

Before you plug in the device make sure you have:

A trusted computer with a modern web browser (Chrome, Edge, or Firefox) or the Trezor Suite desktop app.
Internet access to download Suite and verify firmware (note: private keys never travel online).
Secure location to write down your recovery seed immediately — use the supplied card or a metal backup.
Time & focus — do not rush. Avoid public Wi-Fi and shared computers for the initial setup.

Download Trezor Suite (Official)

Always download Trezor Suite from the official site: https://trezor.io/start. Suite is the official companion app that guides setup, manages firmware, and provides a safe interface for transactions.

Desktop vs Web

Trezor Suite is available as a desktop application (recommended for regular use) and as a web interface. Both connect locally to your Trezor device; desktop Suite can provide slightly improved stability and offline features.

Verify downloads

When downloading, verify checksums or signatures if provided. This extra step defends against tampered installers or fake downloads.

Step-by-step setup (detailed)

Follow these steps to initialize your Trezor device for the first time. Read each step fully before performing it on your device.

Unbox and inspect.
Confirm the tamper-evident seal and packaging. If anything looks altered, stop and contact support.
Download & open Trezor Suite.
Install Suite on your desktop or open the official web Suite. The Suite homepage will guide you to "Get started." Do not follow 3rd-party links or files.
Connect your device.
Plug the device into your computer using the supplied cable. Unlock it when prompted by entering a temporary PIN (you’ll set a proper PIN soon in the flow).
Initialize as new device.
Choose "Create a new wallet" inside Suite. The device will display prompts — confirm actions using the physical buttons or touchscreen (Model T).
Set your device PIN.
Choose a PIN of sufficient length. Enter it on the device; do not type on your computer. Memorize it or store it in a secure location separate from your recovery seed.
Write down your recovery seed.
The device generates a recovery seed (usually 12 or 24 words). Write each word in order on the supplied card or a secure metal plate. Never photograph, screenshot, or copy the seed to cloud storage. Confirm the words when the device asks.
Confirm seed & finish initialization.
You will be prompted to confirm a few words to ensure the seed was recorded correctly. Complete the confirmation and follow Suite prompts to finish setup.
Install apps & add accounts.
Use Suite to install coin-specific apps (if required) and add accounts for Bitcoin, Ethereum, and other supported blockchains. Suite will scan addresses and show balances (read-only until you sign transactions on-device).
Update firmware if prompted.
If Suite indicates a firmware update, apply it now. Firmware updates fix bugs and improve security. Always confirm update prompts on the device display before approving.
Test with a small transaction.
Before moving significant funds, receive a small amount to confirm the address and signing workflow. Send it back or keep it as practice — the goal is to learn confirm/verify flows on the device screen.

Security best practices

Security is the primary reason for using a hardware wallet. These practices reduce the risk of accidental loss or theft.

Never share your recovery seed

Trezor support or any legitimate party will never ask for your seed. Treat the seed as the master key — store it offline in a secure, physically separate location (metal backup plates are excellent).

Use a strong PIN and protect it

A PIN prevents immediate use if the device is stolen. Do not store the PIN with the seed or use the same PIN across devices.

Consider using a passphrase

Advanced users can add a passphrase (aka a 25th word) to derive hidden wallets. This adds plausible deniability but increases recovery complexity — document your approach carefully and keep secure backups.

Verify addresses on the device

Always confirm receiving addresses and transaction details on the device’s screen. The device is the single trusted source of truth; it cannot be spoofed by your computer.

Update firmware & Suite promptly

Keep firmware and Suite current; updates include security patches and compatibility improvements. Only install official updates via Suite.

Use air-gapped or dedicated machines for high-value operations

For very large balances, consider an air-gapped setup or desktop dedicated to signing operations to minimize exposure to malware.

Backup & recovery planning

Your recovery seed is the only reliable backup of your wallets. Plan for disasters and test recovery procedures carefully.

Multiple secure copies

Store copies of your seed in separate secure locations (safe deposit box, trusted custodian, or geographically distributed storage). Avoid single points of failure.

Metal backups

Use metal recovery plates resistant to fire, water, and corrosion — they are more durable than paper in emergencies.

Testing recovery

Consider doing a test restore to a spare device with a small balance to ensure the seed was recorded correctly and that you can recover when needed.

Managing assets — send, receive, and staking

Trezor Suite and supported integrations let you send, receive, swap, and stake supported assets. All signing is performed on the device.

Receiving crypto

In Suite, select Receive → choose account → display address on the device and verify it matches the address shown in Suite. Only share the verified address with the sender.

Sending crypto

Create a transaction in Suite or an integrated dApp, then verify the transaction amount, fees, and destination on your device before signing. Transactions are irreversible once broadcast.

Staking & delegated services

Some blockchains support staking via Suite or partner integrations. Understand lockup periods, rewards, and risks before staking large amounts.

Using with DeFi & dApps

Use Trezor with Web3 wallets (e.g., MetaMask) for dApp access. Approve only necessary permissions and always verify contract data on-device.

Advanced topics — passphrases, multisig, and developer options

Advanced users can leverage features like passphrases, multisig setups and developer tools. These add flexibility but also complexity and recovery considerations.

Passphrase (hidden wallet)

A passphrase appends to your seed to create a separate, hidden wallet. It's powerful for privacy but if lost, funds in that hidden wallet are unrecoverable.

Multisig wallets

Trezor can be a signer in multisig setups (e.g., 2-of-3). Multisig increases security for high-value holdings and institutional custody scenarios.

Developer & integration notes

Developers can integrate Trezor via established libraries and protocols. When building integrations, follow best security practices and honor on-device verification flows.

Troubleshooting — common issues & fixes

Device not detected

Try a different USB cable or port, ensure device is unlocked, and restart Suite. On some systems you may need to enable WebUSB or grant permissions.

Seed confirmation problems

Carefully re-enter words in the exact order shown. If problems persist, consider a factory reset and reinitialize if you have a verified seed copy.

Firmware update failed

Reboot the device and Suite, retry the update, and ensure a stable power/USB connection. If issues persist, follow official recovery steps or contact support.

Transaction not confirmed

Check network fees and mempool status; some networks experience congestion. You may need to increase fees or use replace-by-fee (RBF) where supported.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

❓ Where do I download the official Suite?

From the official start page: https://trezor.io/start. Always verify you are on the correct domain before downloading.

❓ Can I recover my wallet on another device?

Yes — using your recovery seed you can restore the wallet on another compatible hardware device or wallet supporting the same standard (e.g., BIP39), provided you understand the recovery mechanics.

❓ What if I lose my recovery seed?

If you lose your seed and lose the device, funds cannot be recovered. Treat the recovery seed as the ultimate backup and protect it accordingly.

❓ Are Trezor devices safe from hacks?

Trezor isolates private keys and forces on-device verification; this makes remote hacking substantially harder. Combine device protections with secure operational practices for best results.

❓ Does Trezor support all cryptocurrencies?

Trezor supports many major chains and tokens; check the official compatibility list on the Trezor website for specifics and ongoing additions.

❓ Who can I contact for support?

Use official Trezor support channels and documentation. Never share your recovery seed, PIN, or private keys with support staff — no legitimate support will request them.

Ready to start up your device?

Follow this guide carefully, keep your recovery seed offline and secure, and always verify transaction details on your device. When in doubt, consult official documentation or support.

Go to trezor.io/start

Support & additional resources

Official documentation, knowledge base articles, community forums, and support channels are the best source for up-to-date procedures and security advisories. Bookmark official resources and rely on them rather than third-party guides when performing sensitive operations.

Documentation

Detailed user manuals, firmware release notes, and developer docs are available on the official site.

Community & forums

Community discussions can be helpful for tips and common experiences — but always verify any critical procedure against official documentation.

Contact support

For account- or device-specific issues, open a ticket with official support. Provide non-sensitive diagnostic details, and never disclose secrets.