Introduction
Congratulations — you’ve got a Trezor hardware wallet. Whether this is your first hardware wallet or you’re moving from another solution, starting up your Trezor correctly is the most important step to securing your crypto. This guide walks you through the essentials: what to expect when you unbox, how to set up the device safely, an easy walk-through of recovery seed handling, and a compact FAQ to clear common questions.
Unboxing & First Look
What you should see
When you open the package, check that the tamper-evident seals are intact. Inside you’ll typically find:
- The Trezor device
- A USB cable
- A recovery seed card (sometimes multiple)
- Quick-start leaflet and stickers
Safety first
Do not use a device with broken seals or obvious physical tampering. The official Trezor start page is trezor.io/start — always follow official instructions rather than third-party videos for the initial setup.
Step-by-step Setup
1. Connect your device
Plug the device into your computer using the supplied cable. Modern Trezor devices have a bright, clear display and immediately prompt you to visit the official start URL. Do not install random software or follow untrusted links.
2. Visit the official start page
In your browser go to trezor.io/start. This page guides you to the compatible web app or desktop app and shows firmware status.
3. Install firmware (if required)
If the device requires firmware, the official site will show a secure prompt. Allow firmware updates only while connected to the official app — never install firmware from unknown sources.
4. Create a new wallet
Choose "Create new" when prompted. The device will generate the recovery seed — write it down exactly as shown, in order. Never photograph the seed, never store it digitally, and never share it.
PIN selection
You will be asked to create a PIN. Choose a PIN you can remember but isn’t obvious. Trezor uses on-device input for the PIN to protect against keyloggers.
Confirming the seed
The device often asks you to confirm words to ensure you recorded them correctly — follow the prompts on the device and only confirm when you're sure the physical seed matches what you wrote.
First Use & Best Practices
Install the official wallet
Use the recommended wallet client from the official start page (web or desktop). For many users, wallet.trezor.io is the standard web interface.
Receiving funds
Always verify the receiving address on your device display (not just in the browser). The device’s screen is the single source of truth for addresses.
Backups & storage
Keep the recovery seed offline in a safe location. Consider splitting the seed between two physical secure places or using a metal recovery seed backup for fire/water protection.
Keep software up to date
Periodically check for firmware updates on the official start page — updates patch vulnerabilities and add new features. Follow official upgrade instructions carefully.
Power user tip
Consider enabling passphrases for additional account separation and privacy — but understand the responsibility: if you lose the passphrase, funds in that hidden wallet are unrecoverable.
Troubleshooting
Device not detected?
Try a different cable/USB port. Ensure your OS isn't blocking the device. Use the official help pages if the device still won’t initialize.
Lost recovery seed?
If you lose the recovery seed, you may lose access to funds. If a seed is lost but the device is accessible, create a new wallet and move funds to addresses protected by a new seed.
Compromised device
If you suspect tampering, move funds to a new, securely initialized device immediately and destroy or return the compromised device following the vendor’s instructions.
Quick Links (10 Colorful Office-style Buttons)
FAQ — Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: What is a recovery seed and why is it important?
A: Your recovery seed is a human-readable list of words generated by the device which encodes the private keys for your wallet. If you lose your device, the seed lets you restore your wallet on a new device. Store it offline and physically.
Q2: Can I back up my seed digitally?
A: No. Storing your seed digitally (photo, text file, cloud) exposes it to theft. Use paper or metal backups kept in secure physical locations.
Q3: Do I need the Trezor Bridge or a special app?
A: Many modern browsers and devices work with the web wallet directly; some OS/browser combos use the Trezor Bridge or the official desktop app. The official start page will tell you which to use.
Q4: Is firmware updating safe?
A: Yes — as long as you use official update prompts from the official site/app. Firmware updates are signed and intended to improve security.
Q5: What if I forget my PIN?
A: If you forget your PIN you can perform a device reset and then restore from your recovery seed. If you lose both PIN and seed, funds cannot be recovered.
Q6: Can Trezor hold many coins?
A: Trezor supports a wide range of coins and tokens (check official compatibility lists). Wallet interfaces may show multiple accounts and coin types.
Q7: Are there advanced security steps?
A: Yes: using passphrases, keeping multiple offline seed copies, using metal seed backups, and using separate "hidden" wallets for large holdings. Each step increases security and complexity.
Q8: What should I do if I receive a strange firmware prompt?
A: Do not install it. Disconnect, verify you're on an official URL, and contact official support links (see quick links above).
Q9: How can I test a backup?
A: The safest way to test a backup is to restore it onto a new, empty device and verify addresses/funds. Alternatively, keep a small "test amount" and restore in a controlled way.
Q10: Where can I ask community questions?
A: Use the official community forum or the vendor's support channels (linked above). Avoid posting private keys, seed words, or screenshots containing sensitive data.
Final Thoughts
Starting up a Trezor device is straightforward when you follow official guidance and apply basic safety habits. The three pillars to remember: verify official pages, keep your seed offline and private, and verify addresses on the device screen. Take a few extra minutes during setup — a small effort now avoids big headaches later.
Cheat sheet (short)
- Use only official URLs (e.g.,
trezor.io/start). - Write your seed on paper/metal; never store digitally.
- Verify addresses on the device before sending funds.
- Keep firmware up to date using official prompts.
- Use extra security (passphrase) only if you understand the tradeoffs.