How to Start Your Trezor Device

Official Trezor.io setup guide — concise, secure, and practical steps to initialize your hardware wallet and protect your crypto assets.

Overview

This guide walks you through the first-time setup of a Trezor hardware wallet (Trezor Model T or Trezor One). You'll learn how to connect the device, install official firmware, create a secure PIN and recovery seed, optionally enable a passphrase, and perform basic receive/send operations. Follow each step carefully and always rely on the official Trezor software and documentation.

Safety first: Only use the official site and official Trezor Suite app. Type trezor.io/start into your browser or use the official Suite download linked from trezor.io. Never paste your recovery seed into any website or share it with anyone.

Before you begin — requirements

  • Your Trezor device (Model T or One).
  • A computer or compatible mobile device with USB (or USB-C/OTG adapter for mobile).
  • A stable internet connection to download official software and firmware.
  • A pen and the included recovery seed card or a metal/secure backup solution for long-term storage.

Step 1 — Connect the device and open Trezor Suite

  1. Unpack your Trezor and check the tamper-evident packaging. If the seal looks tampered with, stop and contact the vendor or Trezor support.
  2. Connect the device to your computer using the supplied USB cable. On mobile, use a supported OTG adapter if needed.
  3. Open a browser and navigate to trezor.io/start (type it manually). Click the link to open Trezor Suite (web or desktop). Follow the on-screen prompts to begin setup.
If your browser blocks a pop-up or extension, close unrelated tabs and follow only the instructions from the official site you typed in.

Step 2 — Install official firmware (if prompted)

New or reset devices often require a firmware installation. The Suite interface will detect this and guide you through a secure installation process.

  1. When prompted, confirm the installation from the Trezor Suite UI.
  2. Follow the instructions displayed on the device screen. Only confirm actions shown on the physical device — never accept prompts that only appear in your browser.
  3. Do not disconnect the device until the installation completes and the device reboots.
Why firmware matters: Firmware provides the trusted, secure logic that signs transactions. Installing official firmware ensures you get security patches and feature updates.

Step 3 — Initialize: create wallet, PIN, and recovery seed

After firmware is installed, you will be offered to Create a new wallet or Restore from seed. Choose to create a new wallet unless you already have a recovery seed to restore.

  1. Create a PIN: The device will ask you to choose a PIN. This PIN protects local access to the device. Enter it on the device’s screen using the randomized keypad shown on the computer — the layout changes every time to prevent keylogging.
  2. Write your recovery seed: The device will generate a recovery seed (12, 18, or 24 words depending on settings). Carefully write down each word in order on the provided recovery card or a secure backup plate. Do not store this seed digitally (no photos, text files, cloud storage).
  3. Confirm words: Trezor will ask you to confirm a few words to verify you recorded them correctly.
Critical: The recovery seed is the master key to your funds. Anyone with the seed can control your crypto. Keep it offline and secure.

Step 4 — Optional: passphrase (advanced)

Passphrase support adds an additional secret word to your seed, effectively creating a hidden wallet. It increases security and plausible deniability but also increases responsibility: if you forget the passphrase you cannot recover funds.

  • Use a passphrase only if you understand how it works and can store it securely.
  • Remember that different passphrases create different wallets — losing the passphrase is equivalent to losing access to that hidden wallet.
Advanced users sometimes use passphrases to create multiple independent wallets from the same seed. Make sure you keep clear records of which passphrase maps to which funds.

Step 5 — Basic use: receiving and sending funds

Use Trezor Suite (or compatible wallets) to manage accounts. Always verify addresses and transaction details on the physical device display before approving.

  1. Receive: Generate a receive address in the Suite app. Verify that the address shown on your computer matches the address displayed on the Trezor device before sharing it.
  2. Send: Create a transaction in the app. The device will display the recipient address, amount, and fee. Verify every detail, then confirm on the device to sign and broadcast.
  3. View history: Trezor Suite shows balances and transaction history for supported coins. Use this for reconciliation and record-keeping.

Security best practices

  • Never share your recovery seed or full PIN. Trezor support will never ask for this information.
  • Keep the recovery seed offline. Consider metal backups for fire and moisture resistance.
  • Purchase devices only from official Trezor channels or authorized resellers to avoid tampered hardware.
  • Regularly check for official firmware updates and apply them through Trezor Suite.
  • When in doubt, verify every prompt on the physical device — the device is the single trustworthy source of truth.

Common troubleshooting

  • Device not recognized: Try another USB cable, different port, or a different computer. Avoid USB hubs when possible.
  • Forgot PIN: Reset the device (this erases it) and restore from the recovery seed. Only proceed if you have a secure copy of the seed.
  • Lost seed: If you no longer have the seed and still have funds, transfer them to a new wallet immediately if possible. Without the seed, funds cannot be recovered.
  • Firmware update failed: Retry via the official Suite. If repeated failures occur, contact official support — do not use third-party firmware installers.

FAQ

Q: Can I use Trezor on mobile?
A: Yes — many modern phones support Trezor via USB-C or OTG adapters and with compatible wallet apps. Use the official Suite mobile app where available.

Q: Is the recovery seed always the same length?
A: Seed length depends on settings and device generation. 12, 18, and 24-word seeds are common. More words generally mean more entropy.

Q: What happens if someone steals my device?
A: Without the PIN and recovery seed, the thief cannot access your funds. If you're concerned the seed may be compromised, move funds to a new wallet and create a fresh seed.

Final checklist

  • Device verified (tamper seal) and connected successfully.
  • Official firmware installed.
  • PIN set and tested.
  • Recovery seed written down and stored securely offline.
  • Optional passphrase understood and safely stored if used.
Once you complete the checklist, your Trezor device is ready for secure use. Keep your recovery seed offline and update firmware only through official channels.

This guide is intended as a practical setup walkthrough. For exhaustive technical details, advanced configurations (multisig, enterprise setups), or the latest compatibility notes, consult the official documentation at Trezor.io. Always rely on official downloads and communications to maintain maximum security.

— The Trezor Security Best Practices Team