Trezor®
Start — Quick setup

Trezor.io/Start® — Starting Up Your Device

Welcome! This step-by-step guide walks you through first-time setup of your Trezor hardware wallet. We focus on safety, clarity, and speed so you can secure your crypto with confidence.

What you'll do
1

Unbox & connect

Unpack your device and connect it to your computer with the included USB cable. Always verify the seal on the box before connecting.

2

Visit Trezor.io/Start

Open a browser and go to trezor.io/start. Follow the on-screen instructions to install Trezor Suite or use the web app.

3

Create a new wallet

Initialize a new device, choose a PIN, and write down the recovery seed on the supplied recovery card. This seed is the only backup of your funds.

4

Verify & use

Confirm your seed using the device’s prompts, install apps for coins, and begin managing assets in Trezor Suite or other compatible wallets.

Start setup Learn about security

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

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

Q: Can I recover my wallet on a different device?
A: Yes. Your recovery seed follows standards that let you restore funds to any compatible hardware or software wallet that supports the same seed format.
Q: What if I lose my recovery seed?
A: If you lose your recovery seed and your device becomes unusable or lost, you will not be able to recover the funds. Treat the recovery seed as the single ultimate backup.
Q: Are firmware updates safe?
A: Yes. Firmware updates are cryptographically signed. Always update firmware through the official Trezor Suite or Trezor.io interface to ensure authenticity.
Q: Can Trezor company access my funds?
A: No. Trezor cannot access your private keys or funds. Only you possess the seed and PIN needed to sign transactions.

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.