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

1. Unboxing & initial inspection

Before you power on your Trezor device, take a moment to inspect the packaging and contents. Hardware wallets are high-value security devices; physical tampering or counterfeit units are potential risks.

• Confirm the package seal and factory tamper-evident markings (if present) are intact.
• Check that the device model, serial number, and included accessories match what you ordered.
• Keep the original box and packaging until you finish setup and verify everything works.

2. Initial setup — create a new wallet

This section assumes you’re starting fresh with a brand new device. If you’re restoring an existing wallet from a recovery phrase, see the Restore section.

Requirements

• A desktop or laptop (Windows/macOS/Linux) with a supported browser.
• Official Trezor Suite app or access to the official start.trezor.io web flow — always use the official domain.
• A stable USB cable and a secure, private workspace for writing down your recovery seed.

Step-by-step

1. Install Trezor Suite or visit start.trezor.io: Download from the official site and verify checksums when available. Running Suite provides firmware update tools and a guided experience.
2. Connect your device: Use the supplied USB cable to connect the Trezor to your computer. If prompted by the browser to allow the site/app to communicate with the device, approve only if you are on the official site.
3. Initialize: Choose "Create new wallet" when prompted. The device will generate a new recovery seed—this is the only copy of your wallet keys and must be recorded carefully.
4. Write down your recovery seed: Your Trezor will display the seed words on its screen. Write each word in order on the supplied recovery card or another secure offline medium. Do not store the seed electronically (screenshots, cloud storage, notes app) and never share it with anyone.
5. Confirm seed: During setup, the app may ask you to confirm a few words to ensure you recorded them correctly.
6. Set a PIN: Choose a strong device PIN to prevent unauthorized local access. The PIN is entered on the device screen using randomized on-screen keypad input to mitigate shoulder-surfing and keylogger risks.
7. Optional passphrase: If you require additional secrecy, enable a passphrase. This acts as an extension of your seed (seed + passphrase = wallet). Understand the tradeoffs: a lost passphrase cannot be recovered.
8. Finalize: Once setup completes, your Trezor will show a confirmation and you can add accounts in Suite for Bitcoin, Ethereum, and supported tokens.

3. Security best practices

Security is a combination of secure tools and sensible behavior. Follow these non-negotiable practices to keep your funds safe.

• Never share your recovery seed: Trezor (or any legitimate service) will never ask for your seed. Treat it like the key to a safe deposit box.
• Keep the seed offline and physical: Use a recovery card or metal backup. Consider multiple geographically separated copies for redundancy.
• Verify software sources: Download Suite and firmware only from trezor.io and verify signatures or checksums if possible.
• Confirm addresses on-device: Before approving any send transaction, verify the destination address and amount on the Trezor screen. This prevents host-based malware from manipulating transactions.
• Use multisig for large holdings: For enterprise or significant personal holdings, split custody across multiple devices or implement a multisig scheme for greater safety.
• Keep firmware & Suite updated: Updates often patch security issues. Only install updates from official channels and read release notes for breaking changes.

4. Receive funds safely

Always generate receiving addresses from your device via Trezor Suite or a trusted interface and confirm them on the Trezor’s display. Never accept addresses pasted into chat or received through email without verifying them on-device.

5. Sending funds — the right way

1. Open the relevant account in Trezor Suite.
2. Compose the transaction: destination address, amount, and fee preferences. Prefer conservative fee estimates from the Suite for reliable confirmation times.
3. Verify transaction details on the Trezor device screen. The device will show the recipient address (or an address hash preview), the amount, and the fee.
4. Approve on-device to sign the transaction. The signed transaction is returned to Suite and broadcast to the network.

6. Restoring from a recovery seed

If you replace a lost or damaged Trezor, restore using your recovery seed on a new device or compatible wallet. Restoration requires entering the seed words in the correct order and optionally the passphrase if you used one.

1. Choose "Restore wallet" during device initialization.
2. Enter the recovery words exactly as recorded. For security, enter words on the device when possible rather than on a host computer.
3. If you used a passphrase, enter the exact passphrase to restore hidden accounts.
4. After restoration, verify balances and transaction history in Suite. If you suspect seed compromise, move funds to a new wallet with a newly generated seed immediately.

7. Advanced features & workflows

Passphrase (hidden wallets)

Passphrases add an additional layer of secrecy. Each unique passphrase creates a different wallet stemming from the same recovery seed. Use passphrases carefully: losing them means losing access.

PSBT & air-gapped signing

Partially Signed Bitcoin Transactions (PSBT) allow unsigned transactions to be created on an online machine, moved to an air-gapped machine for signing with your Trezor, and then broadcast from an online machine. This workflow reduces exposure for large or sensitive transactions.

Multisig setups

For institutional or shared custody, multisig configurations (e.g., 2-of-3) spread signing responsibility across multiple devices and parties. Use well-reviewed multisig tools and follow documented guides for setup and recovery.

8. Troubleshooting & common errors

Here are frequent problems and simple steps to resolve them.

• Device not detected: Try a different USB cable/port, avoid unpowered hubs, and make sure the device is not in firmware update mode. Reboot the computer if necessary.
• Firmware update failed: Do not discard the device. Follow official recovery instructions from Trezor's documentation; most update issues are recoverable.
• Stuck transactions: Check the transaction on a blockchain explorer. For RBF-enabled networks you may be able to bump the fee; otherwise follow chain-specific guidance for resubmission or cancellation.
• Seed entry mistakes during restore: If you entered words incorrectly, stop and repeat the restore carefully. If you believe the seed is compromised, move funds to a new wallet.

9. Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Can I back up the recovery seed digitally?

No — storing the seed digitally (photos, cloud drives, notes) increases the risk of theft. Use offline physical backups and consider metal backup plates for durability.

What if I lose my recovery seed?

If you lose your seed and you also lose access to your device, you will not be able to recover funds. For this reason, treat the seed as the most critical item and store it in multiple secure locations.

Does Trezor support all coins & tokens?

Trezor supports a wide range of major cryptocurrencies and many tokens. For a current, authoritative list check the official supported assets page on trezor.io.

10. Resources & next steps

Official resources to bookmark:

• Trezor official start page: trezor.io/start
• Trezor Suite download: trezor.io/suite
• Support & documentation: trezor.io/support

11. Quick setup checklist (printable)

• Unbox and inspect packaging
• Download official Trezor Suite
• Create wallet and write down recovery seed
• Set strong device PIN
• Optional: enable passphrase
• Make a small test transaction
• Store recovery seed securely (physical metal/secure locations)

12. Closing notes

Starting your Trezor device is the first step toward secure, self-custodial crypto ownership. Follow the instructions, keep backups, verify addresses on-device, and consider advanced custody setups as your holdings grow. If you ever suspect compromise, act quickly: restore to a new seed and move funds to a secure wallet.