Trezor.io/Start — Official Getting Started Guide™

A modern, step-by-step walkthrough to set up your Trezor hardware wallet safely and confidently.

Introduction

A hardware wallet keeps your private keys offline in a dedicated device. This guide condenses the official Trezor setup flow into clear, actionable steps: verify your device, install official software, initialize a new wallet (or recover an existing one), protect it with a PIN and backup seed, perform a test transfer, and adopt a long-term security posture.

Read fully before you begin. The most common mistakes are skipping verification, storing seeds digitally, or using unofficial software. Follow each step and keep your recovery seed offline at all times.

1 — Unbox & verify

Inspect packaging and included items. A genuine package contains the device, cable, recovery card, and quickstart leaflet. If seals look tampered with or parts are missing, contact your seller — do not proceed with setup.

  • Buy from Trezor.com or authorized resellers to reduce tampering risk.
  • Check model and labeling against official images.
Tip: Photograph the packaging (not the device seed) and keep purchase receipts for warranty and proof of provenance.

2 — Download official software

Open your browser and visit trezor.io/start. Choose Trezor Suite (desktop) or the recommended web app. Verify you are on the official HTTPS domain and prefer the desktop client for improved privacy and reduced attack surface.

Never install software downloaded from unknown links or received in messages. Phishing domains commonly mimic official names — type the URL manually or use a trusted bookmark.

3 — Connect & initialize

  1. Plug the device into your computer using the supplied cable.
  2. Open Trezor Suite and allow it to detect the device.
  3. Follow the Suite prompts: select Create new wallet or Recover wallet as appropriate.
  4. If prompted for a firmware update, complete it only through Suite and verify on-device confirmations.
If any step asks for your recovery seed on a website or asks you to paste it anywhere, stop immediately — that's a scam.

4 — Set a PIN

The device uses an on-screen randomized keypad to prevent keylogger attacks on the host. Pick a PIN that you can remember but that is not easily guessable. Do not store your PIN with your recovery seed.

  • Recommended length: at least 6 digits; longer is better.
  • If you forget the PIN you will need your recovery seed to restore access on another device.

5 — Record your recovery seed

During setup the device will display the recovery words one by one. Write them down in order on the provided recovery card or a secure physical medium. This seed is the absolute backup — anyone who has it can control your funds.

  1. Write every word in order; double-check spelling.
  2. Do not copy the seed into a computer, phone, cloud, photo, or email.
  3. Consider a metal backup plate for long-term durability.
Storage tip: Keep no more copies than necessary. Consider storing copies in separate geographically dispersed secure locations (safe deposit box, home safe) while balancing exposure risk.

6 — Optional: passphrase (advanced)

A passphrase augments the recovery seed to create hidden wallets. It greatly increases security but also increases recovery complexity: losing the passphrase means losing access to those hidden wallets even if you have the seed.

  • Use a passphrase only if you understand the tradeoffs and can securely store it separately from the seed.
  • Test your backup and recovery procedure when a passphrase is used to ensure you can restore later.

7 — Verify with a small transaction

Before transferring large amounts, perform a small test deposit and withdrawal to confirm the end-to-end process. Always verify receiving addresses on the device screen — the device is the authoritative display for addresses.

  1. Create a receiving address and confirm it on-device.
  2. Send a small test amount from an exchange or another wallet.
  3. Confirm the received funds and that you can sign an outgoing transaction.

8 — Maintenance & updates

Keep device firmware and Suite software up to date to receive security patches and new features. Only apply updates through the official Suite and verify all on-device prompts. Read release notes before updating critical systems used for custody.

  • Back up before major changes when handling large balances.
  • For enterprise use, test firmware updates in a controlled environment first.

9 — Advanced workflows

For high value or institutional operations consider multi-signature setups, air-gapped signing workflows, and split custody. Multi-sig spreads risk across multiple devices or actors; air-gapped workflows keep a signing machine completely offline.

  • Multisig: use multiple hardware devices and co-signers to approve large transfers.
  • Air-gapped signing: create transactions on an online machine, export to an offline signer, and import signed transactions back for broadcast.

FAQ

What if I lose my recovery seed?
If you lose your seed and your device is unavailable, you cannot restore access — store backups safely and consider multiple secure copies.
Can someone hack Trezor remotely?
Private keys remain on the device and signing requires physical confirmation — remote extraction is extremely difficult. Social engineering and physical compromise remain the main threats.
Should I use a passphrase?
Passphrases add security but increase complexity and recovery risk. Use them only if you understand their implications and can securely manage them.