Trezor.io/Start® — Starting Up Your Device

Comprehensive Setup Guide — Step by step

Getting your Trezor ready takes just a few minutes. Read each step fully before acting. Use a secure computer you control and avoid public Wi-Fi while initializing your device.

1. Unbox, inspect & connect

When your device arrives, inspect the packaging for tamper-evidence. Do not proceed if seals appear broken. Connect the device to your computer using the included cable. You should see the Trezor welcome screen on the device display.

2. Open Trezor.io/Start

Open a modern browser and navigate to trezor.io/start. Follow the official prompts to install Trezor Suite (recommended) or use the web-based flow. Only use the official site—never follow links sent by email or chat.

3. Initialize & choose a PIN

Choose "Create new" to generate a new wallet. The device will generate a random recovery seed. Pick a PIN you can remember. The PIN prevents physical attackers who have your device from accessing it.

4. Write down your recovery seed

Your recovery seed (typically 12, 18, or 24 words depending on model/settings) is the single most important backup. Write it down exactly as shown — in order — on the recovery card. Store it in a safe, offline location. Never take photos or store the seed on a device connected to the Internet.

5. Verify your seed

After writing it down, the device will ask you to verify certain words. This step proves you copied the seed correctly and ensures the wallet can be recovered.

6. Install coin apps & receive funds

Use Trezor Suite or a compatible wallet to install coin-specific apps (for certain models). Receive a small test amount first to confirm everything works. Once you confirm the funds arrive, you can transfer larger amounts.

Quick safety checklist

• Always use trezor.io and validate the page's TLS certificate in your browser.
• Never share your recovery seed with anyone.
• Store your seed offline and consider a metal backup for long-term durability.
• Keep firmware and Trezor Suite up to date to receive security improvements.

Security architecture — How Trezor protects your crypto

Trezor follows a security-first architecture: the private keys are generated and stored inside the device’s secure element and never exposed to your computer. Every transaction must be confirmed directly on the device’s screen. Because the device performs cryptographic operations locally, even if your computer is compromised, attackers cannot sign transactions without physical access to your Trezor and your PIN.

Additionally, Trezor uses an industry-standard recovery scheme. Backing up your seed allows recovery on any compatible BIP39/BIP44 wallet if your device is lost or damaged. Trezor’s firmware is open-source and regularly reviewed by independent security researchers to maintain transparency and trust.

Advanced options

For users seeking extra protection, Trezor supports features like passphrase encryption (a hidden wallet created using a user-defined passphrase on top of your seed). This adds plausible deniability and can protect large holdings, but it also increases responsibility: if you forget the passphrase, the funds in that hidden wallet are irrecoverable.

Frequently asked questions

Troubleshooting & support

If you encounter issues during setup: try a different USB cable or port, restart your computer, and make sure your browser is up to date. If the device display remains blank, confirm the cable supports data (some cables are charge-only). For persistent problems, contact official support via the Trezor website and include only non-sensitive diagnostics (never share your seed or PIN).

For added protection, consider creating an encrypted backup and using a secondary device for redundancy. Regularly test your recovery process using a spare device (preferably purchased from official channels) to ensure your backup works.