Trezor.io/Start | Official Getting Started Guide™

A practical, secure step-by-step walkthrough to set up your Trezor hardware wallet safely.

Overview

This guide provides clear instructions to get your Trezor hardware wallet operational. It covers unboxing and verifying the device, installing the official Trezor Suite (or connecting to Trezor.io/start), creating and securely storing a recovery seed, and best practices to keep your crypto safe. Follow each step — do not skip verification or backup steps.

What you'll accomplish

Getting started — Setup (h2)

Unboxing & initial checks (h3)

Inspect your package before connecting. The box should be sealed and contain the Trezor device, USB cable, stickers and a recovery card. If seals are broken or items missing, contact support immediately.

Step-by-step: First connection (h4)

  1. Go to https://trezor.io/start on a computer you trust.
  2. Connect your Trezor with the supplied cable. Follow on-screen instructions to install the official Trezor Bridge or Trezor Suite if prompted.
  3. Do not install or run third-party tools that claim to set up your device unless they are explicitly recommended by Trezor's official site.
On-device verification (h5)

Your Trezor screen and the computer should display matching messages. If the computer requests firmware that appears unsigned or different from the device prompt, do not proceed. Always confirm prompts using the physical device buttons.

Create a new wallet (h3)

Choose "Create new" in Trezor Suite (or via Trezor.io/start). The device will generate a recovery seed (typically 12, 18 or 24 words depending on model and options). Write the words down in order, on durable material (the recovery card), and never store the seed digitally.

Backup & Recovery (h2)

Recovery seed — why it matters (h3)

The 12/24-word seed is the ultimate key to your funds. Anyone who has it can access your crypto. Keep it offline, private, and physically secure. Consider engraving or using a metal backup for disaster resilience.

Do's and Don'ts (h4)

  • Do write the seed by hand and store copies in separate secure locations (bank safe deposit box, personal safe).
  • Do consider a steel backup plate for fire and water protection.
  • Don't take photos or store the seed in cloud storage, email drafts, or password managers.
  • Don't disclose the seed to anyone, including individuals claiming to be support — official support will never ask for your seed.
Test your recovery (h5)

After storing the seed, perform a test recovery on a separate device to ensure the words were recorded correctly. Only do this in a secure environment; do not test on a shared or public computer.

Safety & Best Practices (h2)

Everyday security (h3)

Use a strong PIN, enable passphrase protection if you understand how it works, and keep your device firmware up to date. When transacting, always verify the receiving address on the device display before approving.

Passphrases explained (h4)

A passphrase acts as an additional word added to your recovery seed. It can protect funds even if someone obtains your seed, but if you forget the passphrase you will permanently lose access. Use passphrases only if you can securely remember or store them.

Phishing awareness (h5)

Bookmark official pages like trezor.io/start and avoid following links from unsolicited emails. Confirm web addresses and TLS certificates in the browser before adjusting settings or connecting your device.

Troubleshooting & FAQs (h2)

Common issues (h3)

If the device isn't detected, try a different USB port, cable, or computer. Reinstall Trezor Bridge/Trezor Suite from the official site. If the device displays unexpected messages or requests unknown firmware, do not proceed and contact official support.

Lost seed or device (h4)

If you lose the device but have your seed, purchase a replacement device and recover using your seed. If you lose the seed and device — funds are irretrievable. Plan backups accordingly.

Where to get help (h5)

Use the official support channels listed in the links section below. Never share your recovery seed with support staff.

Quick Setup Checklist

  • Unbox and verify packaging integrity.
  • Go to trezor.io/start.
  • Install Trezor Suite / Bridge and connect the device.
  • Create wallet and write the recovery seed physically.
  • Store seed securely, enable PIN and optional passphrase.
  • Test a small transaction and verify addresses on-device.