trezor.io/start — Official Trezor® Setup & Quickstart Guide

Welcome — why this matters

This page walks you through every step you need to get your Trezor® device working safely: from unboxing to receiving funds, and from backups to firmware updates. The goal is simple: keep your private keys protected while giving you practical confidence managing crypto. Follow these instructions carefully — your security depends on them.

The guide covers:

• Unboxing & inspection
• Software & download verification
• Device initialization and recovery
• PINs, passphrases, and recovery best practices
• Firmware updates and security checks
• Using coins, sending/receiving, and multi-account management
• Troubleshooting and advanced developer usage

Unboxing & initial checks

When your device arrives, inspect the packaging before opening. Trezor ships with tamper-evident seals and packaging designed to reveal interference. If the seal looks broken, the device appears physically damaged, or anything seems suspicious, stop and contact official support.

Items you should have

• Your Trezor device (Model One, Model T, or other model)
• USB cable (and adapter if provided)
• Recovery card(s) for writing your seed phrase
• Quick start leaflet

Do not set up your device using links or files emailed to you. Always navigate to trezor.io/start manually in your browser and verify the page certificate before downloading software.

Download official software & validate

Trezor devices work with Trezor Suite (desktop) and the web-based interface at trezor.io/start. For the highest security, download only from the official domain and verify file signatures when provided.

Recommended downloads

• Trezor Suite (Desktop) — full-featured app for account management, firmware updates, and settings.
• Web Interface — quick access; useful if you cannot install desktop software.

On the download page, double-check the TLS certificate and URL. If your browser warns about invalid certificates, do not proceed — stop and check your network or contact support.

Connect & initialize your device

Use the supplied USB cable to connect your Trezor to a trusted computer. If you have multiple ports, use a direct port on the machine (avoid untrusted USB hubs during initial setup). When prompted, allow the required permissions in your browser or operating system.

Initial flow

1. Open Trezor Suite or the web app at trezor.io/start.
2. Select “Create new wallet” or “Initialize device”.
3. Follow on-screen prompts: choose model, accept terms, and continue.
4. Decide to create a new recovery or recover an existing wallet.

Always perform initialization while the device is physically present and you control the computer. Never send your recovery phrase over the internet.

Recovery phrase — create, record, and protect

The recovery phrase (seed) is the single most important artifact. It allows full restoration of your wallet on any compatible device. Treat it as the master key.

Creating a new recovery

• When creating a new wallet, the device will display your recovery words one group at a time.
• Write the words exactly as shown, in the correct order, on the supplied recovery card or other offline medium.
• Do not photograph, screenshot, or store your recovery phrase digitally.

Best practices for backups

• Keep at least two physical copies in separate secure locations (e.g., safe and bank deposit box).
• Consider a metal backup for better fire/ water resistance.
• Do not store the recovery near your unlocked device or in cloud storage.

Important: If anyone obtains your recovery phrase, they can control your funds. Trezor staff or official support will never ask for your recovery words.

PIN and passphrase — add practical protection

The PIN protects your device from local theft. The passphrase is an optional advanced feature that derives additional wallets from your seed (effectively acting as a 25th word).

Choosing a PIN

• Select a PIN that you can remember but is not easily guessable.
• Trezor will map PIN entry to randomized digits on the screen to mitigate shoulder-surfing attacks.

About passphrases (advanced)

• Passphrase provides plausible deniability and additional security if used correctly.
• Lose the passphrase and you lose access to that derived wallet — store passphrases securely if used.
• Do not enable passphrase unless you understand the trade-offs.

Firmware updates & verification

Firmware updates improve functionality and security. Trezor signs firmware updates; the device verifies signatures before applying updates. Always update through Trezor Suite or official channels and never install firmware from unknown sources.

Update checklist

• Verify update originates from the official app or website.
• Follow on-screen instructions carefully — do not disconnect mid-update.
• Keep your recovery phrase offline and accessible only if a reinitialization is required.

Adding accounts & receiving crypto

Trezor Suite supports many coins and tokens. Add accounts by selecting the coin, creating or importing an account, and receiving to the displayed address. Always verify the receiving address on the device screen before sending funds to it.

Receive funds safely

• Generate an address from the Trezor device through the official app and check it matches the one shown in the app.
• Send a small test amount first to confirm everything is set up correctly.
• Be aware some tokens require third-party integrations; double-check compatibility before sending large amounts.

Sending transactions

When sending funds, review all transaction details on the device screen before approving: recipient address, amount, and fee. The device performs the signing; the app relays the signed transaction.

Fee selection & confirmations

• Choose appropriate network fees for timely confirmation (Trezor Suite often suggests fee levels).
• Double-check the recipient address — malware can modify addresses in the clipboard.
• Approve only after confirming on the physical device; never approve unknown transactions.

Troubleshooting common issues

If something goes wrong, here's a concise troubleshooting checklist.

• Device not detected: try different USB cable/port, restart computer, avoid hubs.
• App won't load: clear browser cache, update browser, or use desktop Suite.
• Forgot PIN: the only recovery is to wipe device and restore from your recovery phrase.
• Recovery phrase lost: without it, funds cannot be recovered — plan backups in advance.

If you encounter errors that persist, collect local logs (if you're comfortable sharing them privately with support) and contact official Trezor support or consult community resources.

Frequently asked questions

Is Trezor compatible with my coins?

Trezor supports many popular coins natively. For obscure tokens or chains, third-party integrations may be necessary. Always check the official compatibility list in Trezor Suite.

Can I recover my wallet on another device?

Yes — any compatible hardware wallet or software that supports the same seed standard can restore your accounts using the recovery phrase.

What if I suspect compromise?

If you suspect your seed or PIN has been exposed, move funds to a freshly initialized device with a new recovery phrase as soon as possible.

Power users & developer notes

Developers can integrate Trezor using official libraries, JSON-RPC, or HWI-compatible tooling. Advanced users may use the command-line interface for scripted signing, but never expose recovery data to untrusted scripts or CI systems.

// Pseudocode example (conceptual)
const device = await Trezor.connect();
const xpub = await device.getXpub({ path: "m/44'/0'/0'" });
const signed = await device.signTransaction(tx);

Always operate developer tools on trusted machines and adhere to best operational security: isolate build systems, avoid storing secrets in plaintext, and audit dependencies regularly.