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

Official 1,500-word guide — unboxing, installation, initializing your Trezor, recovery seed, passphrase, firmware updates, daily use, and safety best practices.

Introduction — why careful startup matters

Starting up your Trezor hardware wallet correctly is the most important step you can take to protect your digital assets. This guide walks through every phase: inspecting packaging, installing Trezor Suite, initializing or restoring a wallet, recording the recovery seed, enabling advanced features such as passphrases, keeping firmware up-to-date, and practical daily habits. Follow these steps precisely — small mistakes during setup are the most common causes of future loss.

1. Unboxing & verifying package integrity

When your Trezor arrives, inspect the packaging immediately. Official Trezor products come sealed with tamper-evident packaging. If the box looks opened, the tamper seal broken, or contents missing, do not proceed — contact the vendor or Trezor support. Only purchase from authorized resellers or trezor.io to avoid counterfeit devices.

  1. Check the outer packaging for tamper evidence and holographic seals.
  2. Confirm the device model and included accessories (USB cable, recovery card, manuals).
  3. Keep packaging until setup is complete and you’re confident everything is authentic.

2. Download & install Trezor Suite

Trezor Suite is the official desktop/web interface. Always download Suite from trezor.io. Avoid links in unsolicited emails or social feeds that could be phishing attempts.

  1. Open your browser and go to trezor.io/start or suite.trezor.io.
  2. Choose the correct installer for your OS (Windows/macOS/Linux) or use the web Suite.
  3. Verify checksums or digital signatures if you require extra assurance.
  4. Install and launch Trezor Suite.

Tip: For the web version, Trezor Bridge may be required to allow browser↔device communication. Install Bridge only from official sources.

3. Initializing your Trezor — create or restore

After installing Suite, connect your Trezor via USB. Suite will detect the device and start the onboarding flow. You can create a new wallet or restore an existing one from a recovery seed.

Create a new wallet

  1. Select Set up as new device in Suite.
  2. The Trezor will generate a recovery seed (12/18/24 words depending on settings). The seed is displayed on the device screen — never on your computer.
  3. Write the words on the supplied recovery card or a steel backup. Write them in order. Do not photograph or store them digitally.
  4. Confirm words when prompted to complete backup verification.
  5. Set a PIN on the device — this protects local access.

Restore from existing recovery seed

  1. Select Recover wallet and follow prompts on the device to enter your words in the correct order.
  2. After restore, set a new PIN and verify accounts in Suite.
Security note: Your recovery seed is the only reliable backup. Anyone with it can recreate your wallet. Keep copies offline, in secure physical locations.

4. Passphrase and hidden wallets (advanced)

Trezor supports an optional passphrase — an additional secret that acts like a 25th word. Using a passphrase creates a separate hidden wallet derived from the same seed. This offers plausible deniability and segmentation of funds but is unforgiving: if you forget the passphrase you lose access to that hidden wallet.

  • Use a passphrase only if you understand the operational complexity.
  • Do not write passphrases on the same paper as the recovery seed.
  • Test recovery of passphrase wallets before storing significant funds.

5. Firmware updates & authenticity

Trezor firmware is signed by the manufacturer and updated via Trezor Suite. Firmware updates patch security issues and add features. Always apply updates through Suite — the device will show update details and require physical confirmation.

  1. When Suite notifies an update, read the release notes on trezor.io.
  2. Start the update within Suite and confirm on the device when prompted.
  3. Never install firmware from unknown sources.

6. Daily usage: send, receive, and verify

Every time you send funds or interact with a dApp, verify details on the device screen before confirming. The device screen is your final authority and protects you from UI or clipboard malware.

  1. To receive, generate a receive address in Suite and verify the address on your Trezor.
  2. To send, prepare a transaction in Suite; the device shows the recipient, amount, and fees — confirm only if they match.
  3. For contract calls, inspect human-readable data on the device when available. Avoid blind signing of complex contracts.

7. Backup strategy — redundancies and storage

One paper backup is often insufficient for long-term security. Consider:

  • Multiple physical backups in geographically separate secure locations (home safe, bank deposit box).
  • Steel backups for fire and water resistance for high-value holdings.
  • Multi-party approaches (multi-sig) for enterprise or very large personal holdings.

8. Troubleshooting common startup issues

If the device isn't detected:

  • Verify the USB cable and try another port or cable.
  • Check that Trezor Suite and Bridge (if used) are running and up to date.
  • Restart your browser or computer if using the web Suite.
  • On macOS, allow permissions in Security & Privacy if the installer was blocked.

9. Privacy & operating recommendations

For enhanced privacy:

  • Use a dedicated machine or separate browser profile for wallet activities when possible.
  • Avoid browser extensions when connecting your device to web apps.
  • Consider routing Suite traffic through Tor or VPN if privacy is a concern — be aware this adds complexity.

10. Frequently asked questions

  • Will Trezor ever ask for my seed? No — never give your seed to anyone. Official support will not request it.
  • Can I use Trezor on multiple computers? Yes — plug in the device and open Suite on any trusted computer.
  • What if I lose my device? Restore from your recovery seed on a new Trezor or compatible hardware wallet.

Final thought: The most secure setup is careful, patient, and offline when handling recovery material. Follow the official steps on Trezor.io/Start, verify all downloads, and always confirm transactions on the device display.