Trezor.io/Start

Welcome — what this guide covers

This page walks you through the complete first-time experience for your Trezor hardware wallet: unboxing, initial power-on, generating or recovering a seed, verifying firmware and software, creating a backup, and safely performing your first transactions. The steps below assume you are using official software (Trezor Suite or the recommended web client) and an authentic device. If anything looks tampered with on arrival, stop and contact official support before proceeding.

Unboxing & initial inspection

Before powering the device, inspect the packaging and the device itself for signs of tampering. Official units ship in sealed packaging with manufacturer labeling. Look for:

• Intact seals and shrink wrap.
• Proper model markings and serial number labels.
• Accessories that match the packing list (USB cable, quickstart leaflet).

If anything seems off, do not connect the device to your computer. Contact official support and follow return/replacement instructions.

Prepare your environment

Use a personal, up-to-date computer you control. Avoid public or shared machines for initial setup. Ensure the operating system, browser, and antivirus definitions are current. Close unnecessary apps and network connections if you want a minimal attack surface during onboarding.

Download official software

Always install Trezor Suite (desktop) or open the official web onboarding page from the verified domain. Never use unverified third-party tools to create seeds or sign transactions.

1. Visit the official start page (type the URL yourself or use a saved bookmark).
2. Download the desktop installer for your OS or follow the web client instructions.
3. Verify the installer checksum or signature, if provided, following the published verification steps.

Power-on & initial device setup

1. Connect the device using the supplied USB cable. Most Trezor models display a welcome message and model info on the device screen.
2. Follow the on-device prompts — the device will guide you to either create a new wallet or recover an existing one.
3. If creating a new wallet, the device will generate a mnemonic seed on-device. Write the seed down exactly as shown — do not take photos or store the seed digitally.
4. The device will typically ask you to confirm random words (to ensure you recorded it correctly) and to set an optional PIN code for device unlocking.

Seed, PIN, and passphrase — what they mean

Seed (mnemonic): a 12/18/24-word recovery phrase that reconstructs your private keys. Keep it offline and secure. Anyone with the seed can control your funds.

PIN: device-level protection that prevents casual physical misuse. The PIN does not substitute for the seed backup.

Passphrase (optional): an extra secret phrase that acts like a 25th (or additional) word to create hidden wallets. Use with care — if you lose the passphrase you can lose access permanently.

Creating a secure backup

Record your mnemonic on the supplied recovery card or durable medium. Recommended practices:

• Write it by hand on paper, then transfer to a fire- and water-resistant metal backup for long-term storage.
• Create at least two physical copies and store them in separate secure locations (e.g., safe deposit box, home safe).
• Do not store the seed in cloud storage, screenshots, password managers, or photos.

Verifying firmware and software

Before performing sensitive operations, update the device firmware using the official update flow. The device shows fingerprint/hashes during firmware install — verify them against the official release notes when available. Likewise, verify downloaded Suite installers using checksums/signatures to ensure you are running authentic software.

First transaction: test before moving large amounts

After setup and backup, send a small test amount to/from the device to verify the full end-to-end process (receive address generation, confirmation and signing). This ensures you understand the flow and have recorded the correct backup.

On-device verification: your primary safety control

When signing, the device will display the transaction details. Always read and verify:

• Destination address (confirm full address if possible).
• Amount being sent and unit (BTC, ETH, tokens).
• Fees and any contract call details or token approvals.

If anything looks suspicious, cancel the operation and investigate before proceeding.

Using a passphrase and hidden wallets

Passphrases create separate, hidden accounts under the same seed. They are powerful for privacy and deniability but increase operational risk if lost. Recommended approach:

• Use passphrases only if you understand the trade-offs.
• Store passphrases as securely as the seed — consider sealed physical storage.
• Test passphrase recovery in a safe scenario before moving significant funds.

Maintaining device health

• Keep firmware updated via official channels; verify fingerprints before applying updates.
• Store the device in a safe when not in use and use the PIN for additional protection.
• Avoid exposing the device to untrusted computers frequently — use a clean host for high-value operations.

Troubleshooting common issues

• Device not recognized: try a different USB cable/port, unlock the device, and ensure Bridge or Suite is running.
• Forgot PIN: If you forget your PIN, you must reset the device and restore from seed — keep your seed accessible.
• Damaged backup: If a backup is unreadable, act quickly to make a fresh backup from a restored seed onto a durable medium.

Security checklist — before moving large funds

1. Have at least two independent physical backups of your seed.
2. Verified firmware fingerprint and Suite installer signatures.
3. Completed and confirmed a small test transaction.
4. Stored passphrase(s) securely if used.
5. Personnel and physical security for seed locations documented (for institutional users).

Advanced topics & power users

If you need higher assurance or automation, consider:

• Using multisignature schemes (multiple devices required to sign a transaction).
• Air-gapped setups where the signing device never connects to a networked host.
• Hardware seed backups (metal plates) and geographically split custody for institutional security.

Where to get help

Use official documentation, community forums, and support channels for assistance. Never reveal your seed or passphrase to support staff — legitimate support will never ask for these secrets.

Quick reference commands & examples

// Illustrative CLI examples (use official tooling)
# Show device info
trezorctl get-features

# Export public key for watch-only accounting (example)
trezorctl export-public --path "m/44'/0'/0'"

Legal & final notes

This guide is informational and not legal or financial advice. Always follow the official Trezor documentation for the most current procedures, firmware notes, and safety recommendations. Treat your recovery phrase as the ultimate key to your funds — protect it accordingly.

Conclusion

Setting up your Trezor device carefully and following the verification, backup, and operational practices in this guide will give you strong, tangible control over your cryptocurrency holdings. Start small, verify every step, keep offline copies of recovery material, and use on-device confirmations as your primary defense against unauthorized signing.