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

1. Introduction — Why a hardware wallet?

Hardware wallets like Trezor® are designed to keep your private keys offline in a purpose-built device. Compared to software wallets (mobile or desktop), hardware wallets significantly reduce the attack surface by ensuring private keys never leave the device. Transactions are assembled on your computer but signed inside the hardware wallet; you confirm details on the device’s screen before approving, protecting you from malware and remote attackers.

This guide covers not only the mechanical steps to start your device, but the principles behind each step — so you can make informed decisions about your security settings and backup strategy.

2. Preparing to start — environment, equipment, and mindset

Before you begin setup, prepare both your physical environment and your mental checklist. Starting a hardware wallet requires deliberate attention: mistakes in recording a recovery seed or using insecure storage can lead to irreversible loss.

Choose a safe workspace

Pick a private, calm place where you won’t be interrupted, photographed, or recorded. Avoid public spaces and shared offices. Prefer a clean table with good lighting so you can clearly read the device screen and write your recovery seed legibly.

Gather equipment

• Your Trezor® device and original USB cable.
• A computer or mobile device with a recent operating system and updated browser.
• Pen(s) and the provided recovery card(s) or a dedicated metal backup solution if you use one.
• Optional: external backup storage like a safe deposit box, waterproof/fireproof safe, or geographically distributed safes.

Adopt the right mindset

Security decisions are about tradeoffs. Understand the difference between convenience and security and choose practices aligned with the value you’ll store. For small amounts, a simpler approach may be fine. For substantial holdings, invest in physical security measures and redundancies.

3. Unboxing and package inspection

When you receive your Trezor® device, inspect the packaging. Trezor ships devices in tamper-evident packaging. If seals are broken, if adhesives look disturbed, or if the box shows signs of tampering, stop and contact official support immediately. Do not plug in or attempt to use a suspicious device.

Confirm the box includes the device, the USB cable, recovery card(s), and printed documentation. If you ordered accessories or additional items, verify they match your order.

4. Connecting your Trezor® and visiting the official start page

Use the supplied USB cable to connect the device to your computer. Open your browser and type trezor.io/start directly in the address bar. Avoid clicking links from emails or messages. Check that the site uses HTTPS and a valid certificate; the browser’s padlock icon indicates a secured connection. The start page will guide you to the recommended workflow — Trezor Suite or the web-based setup flow.

5. Trezor Suite vs. web setup — choosing the right interface

Trezor Suite is the official desktop and web app, offering integrated features like account management, transaction history, built-in exchange integrations, and firmware management. The web setup guides are compatible and may be used for quick setups. For the most complete and supported experience, Trezor Suite is recommended.

Choose the interface that matches your needs. Desktop Suite offers more stability for power users; the web app is useful for simple setups or devices without desktop installations.

6. Device authentication and anti-tamper checks

During initial setup, Trezor® devices perform integrity and authenticity checks. The Suite will display a challenge that you must confirm on the physical device screen — such as a random nonce or visual fingerprint. Matching the displayed message ensures the device is genuine and not modified in transit.

Always perform this step. If authenticity checks fail or look mismatched, disconnect and contact support. Never continue if you suspect tampering.

7. Firmware updates — procedure and safety

Firmware is the trusted software running on your device. Trezor® firmware updates provide security fixes, new features, and compatibility improvements. During setup, if an official firmware update is available, the Suite will prompt you to install it.

How to update safely

1. Ensure your computer is connected to a stable power source.
2. Open Trezor Suite and follow the firmware update prompt.
3. Confirm the update on the device screen when instructed.
4. Do not disconnect or power off the device during the update.

A failed or interrupted firmware update can leave the device in a non-functional state. If this happens, follow the recovery instructions provided by Trezor support.

8. Choosing a PIN — secure PIN practices

The PIN protects the device from unauthorized local use. When you set a PIN, the device will show a randomized grid for PIN entry so that malware logging your keystrokes cannot deduce the PIN layout. Use a PIN that is not easily guessable — avoid obvious sequences like 1234 or repeated digits.

PIN best practices

• Choose length over memorability: longer PINs provide stronger protection.
• Do not reuse commonly used PINs from banking or devices.
• Memorize the PIN — do not write it down where it’s stored with the seed.

9. Recovery seed — generation, recording, and storage

The recovery seed is the cryptographic master key that controls your accounts. Trezor® generates the seed on-device using secure entropy. The seed is presented as a list of words (BIP39 standard for many setups), which you must write down in order and keep secure.

Recording the seed

1. Write the words exactly as shown on the device, in the displayed order.
2. Use the included recovery card or a high-quality notebook designed for long-term storage.
3. Make multiple physical copies if your security plan calls for redundancy; store copies in different secure locations.

Storage options

Consider storage options based on your threat model:

• Home safe: Convenient but vulnerable to theft or disaster.
• Bank safe deposit: High security but requires trust in the institution and access during office hours.
• Geographical split (Shamir-like approaches): For very large holdings, consider splitting seeds across multiple locations using advanced backup techniques.
• Metal backup: Superior fire and water resistance compared to paper.

10. Seed confirmation and validation

After recording the seed, the device will request confirmation by asking for specific words from the seed. This step ensures the seed is correctly recorded and readable. Complete the confirmation using only the physical backup you created. If the device indicates a mismatch, re-check your written copy and redo the confirmation if necessary.

11. Passphrase feature — benefits and risks (advanced)

A passphrase is an optional, additional secret that acts like a 25th word appended to your recovery seed — creating a hidden wallet. Using a passphrase can provide plausible deniability and protect against seed exposure, but it raises serious operational complexity.

Benefits

• Creates a separate hidden wallet inaccessible without the passphrase.
• Improves security if you fear someone might coerce you to reveal your seed.

Risks

• If you forget the passphrase, funds in that hidden wallet are irrecoverable even with the seed.
• Managing passphrases across devices requires discipline — using a passphrase increases the chance of user error.

Only advanced users who understand the tradeoffs should enable the passphrase. Keep the passphrase separate from the seed and store it securely; do not write it on the same card.

12. Adding accounts and verifying addresses

After setup, you can add cryptocurrency accounts within Trezor Suite or compatible wallets. Each account derives public addresses from the seed. When receiving funds, always verify the receiving address on your device’s screen — the device shows the canonical address derived from your seed and account parameters. This verification prevents malware from substituting attacker-controlled addresses on your computer screen.

13. Receiving and sending funds — step-by-step

Receiving

1. Open Trezor Suite and select the account for the currency you want to receive.
2. Click Receive to generate an address.
3. Confirm the displayed address on your Trezor® device screen matches the address shown in Suite.
4. Share the confirmed address with the sender.

Sending

1. Open Trezor Suite and select the correct account.
2. Enter the recipient address and amount on your computer interface.
3. Confirm transaction details on the device screen — verify recipient address, amount, and fee.
4. Approve the transaction on the device to sign it. The signed transaction is then broadcast by the Suite to the network.

Always double-check long recipient addresses by viewing them on the device screen. Do not rely solely on the desktop display; it can be manipulated by malware.

14. Transaction verification and common attacks

Attackers often attempt to trick users with address replacement (clipboard hijacking), fake wallet interfaces, or social engineering. The single best defense is reading and confirming transaction data on the device screen. If details on the device don’t match what you expect, cancel the transaction immediately.

Clipboard hijack example

Some malware replaces a copied address with the attacker’s address when you paste. Always confirm the final address on the device screen rather than trusting the paste operation alone.

15. Backup strategies for different risk profiles

Design a backup plan matched to the value you hold and the threats you reasonably expect. Here are three common profiles and suggested practices:

Low-value / casual user

• Single paper recovery card stored at home in a safe place.
• Basic PIN and no passphrase.

Medium-value user

• Two paper copies in separate secure locations (e.g., home safe + safe deposit box).
• Consider a metal backup for fire/water resistance.
• Use a secure PIN; consider a passphrase if comfortable with the additional complexity.

High-value / institutional user

• Shamir-like secret sharing (if supported) or splitting seed with a professional custody solution.
• Metal backups in geographically distributed secure locations.
• Multi-signature setups for operational accounts to reduce single-point compromises.
• Dedicated air-gapped computers for signing large transactions.

Design your backups with redundancy, but avoid increasing exposure. More copies mean more risk if not secured properly.

16. Restoring a Trezor® from seed (full walkthrough)

If you need to restore a device — for example if you replaced a lost or damaged unit — follow these steps carefully. Restoring uses only your recorded seed; you will not need the original device.

1. Power on the new Trezor® and connect it to the computer.
2. Open Trezor Suite and choose Restore device from seed.
3. Follow prompts and enter your recovery words exactly in order, using the device interface when requested.
4. If you used a passphrase originally, enable and enter the same passphrase during restore.
5. Set a new PIN for the restored device (you may choose to reuse the old one if you remember it).
6. Once complete, your accounts will reappear as derived from the seed.

After restore, confirm that account balances and transaction histories match expected values. If anything differs, contact support and review your restoration steps carefully.

17. Troubleshooting common hardware and software issues

Device not recognized

• Try a different USB cable or port.
• Restart your computer and reopen Trezor Suite.
• Make sure your operating system and browser are up to date.

Firmware update failed

• Do not disconnect immediately; if possible, leave the device connected and consult Suite messages.
• Reconnect and retry the update process via Trezor Suite.
• If the device remains unresponsive, contact official support for recovery instructions.

Recovery seed words unreadable or damaged

• Attempt to read the words carefully and restore into a new device when possible.
• If words are partially unreadable, try to reconstruct using context and checksum properties of BIP39 wordlists, but exercise extreme caution — incorrect reconstruction can lead to permanent loss.

If you encounter issues not listed here, consult trezor.io/support for official assistance.

18. Security best practices checklist

Keep this checklist handy and periodically review it to ensure your setup remains secure.

• Seed is written offline and stored securely (no photos or cloud storage).
• Device firmware is kept up to date via official channels only.
• Always verify addresses and transaction details on the device screen.
• Use unique PIN; never store PIN with the seed.
• Consider passphrase usage only after understanding recovery implications.
• For large holdings, use multi-signature and geographically separated backups.

19. Operational security (OpSec) for long-term holders

OpSec is about minimizing the number of ways attackers can learn about or access your holdings. For long-term or high-value holders, consider the following:

• Limit knowledge: reveal as little as possible about your holdings to friends, advisors, or institutions.
• Isolate critical operations: keep a dedicated minimal computer for managing high-value wallets.
• Rotate backups only when necessary and document where copies are stored.
• Use multi-signature arrangements for daily spending vs. deep cold storage.
• Plan an inheritance strategy that allows trusted parties to recover funds without exposing secrets prematurely.

20. Advanced setup examples and use cases

Multi-signature for enhanced security

Multi-signature (multisig) wallets require multiple devices or keys to approve a transaction. This reduces single points of failure. Typical multisig setups include 2-of-3 or 3-of-5 configurations where keys are stored in different locations or with different custodians.

Air-gapped signing

For the highest security, use an air-gapped computer to create unsigned transactions and transfer them to the online machine for broadcasting after signing on the Trezor®. This workflow prevents private keys from ever touching an internet-connected device.

Institutional custody hybrid models

Institutions often combine hardware wallets with professional custody to meet regulatory and operational requirements. These designs typically involve hardware security modules (HSMs), multi-party computation (MPC), or split-key architectures. Consult professional advisors for institutional deployments.

21. Enterprise and multi-user considerations

Enterprises deploying hardware wallets should focus on process, auditing, and role separation. Establish policies for key generation, backup custody, rotation, and emergency access. Use multi-signature policies to ensure no single employee can unilaterally move funds.

22. Maintenance, firmware lifecycle, and warranty

Keep abreast of firmware updates — they are critical for patching vulnerabilities and enabling new features. Trezor® provides warranty and support pathways; check the official support site for warranty conditions and replacement procedures. Regularly test your backups by performing a dry-run restoration on a spare device (without broadcasting any real funds) to ensure your procedures work as expected.

23. Glossary of terms

Private key

A secret number that allows spending from your addresses. Keep it confidential.

Public key

Derivable from the private key; used to create addresses and verify signatures.

Recovery seed

A human-readable list of words that encode your private keys for backup and restoration.

Passphrase

An optional additional secret used with the seed to create hidden wallets.

Multisig

A configuration where multiple signatures are required to approve a transaction.

24. Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Can I type my seed into a password manager?

No. Your seed must remain offline. Storing it digitally introduces a high risk of theft.

Is it safe to backup my seed in multiple locations?

Yes — but each additional copy increases the number of potential compromise points. Secure each copy appropriately.

What happens if my Trezor® is stolen?

If you have a PIN, the thief cannot access funds without it. If you believe the seed is compromised, move funds to a new wallet with a new seed immediately.

Can firmware updates steal my funds?

Official firmware updates from Trezor® do not expose your seed or private keys. Always verify updates through Trezor Suite and official channels. Do not use unofficial firmware.

25. Support and legal notes

For official support, warranty claims, or verified resources, visit trezor.io/support. This guide provides general information about operating your device and is not legal, tax, or financial advice. Always consult professionals for complex financial or legal decisions.