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

Your step-by-step guide to unboxing, initializing, and securing your Trézor® hardware wallet for safe cryptocurrency management.

Overview

Welcome — and congratulations on your new Trézor® device. Trézor hardware wallets provide a practical and robust way to store and manage your cryptocurrency private keys offline. This guide walks you through every step of starting your device: from unboxing and verifying authenticity, through initialization and recovery seed handling, to using Trézor® with the official software ecosystem.

Estimated read: ~8 minutes. Follow each step carefully — security is mostly about doing a few small things reliably every time.

Unboxing & First Checks

When your Trézor® arrives, inspect the packaging for tamper evidence. Official devices are shipped in sealed boxes with anti-tamper protections. If the packaging shows signs of tampering, contact the vendor or Trézor® support immediately and do not use the device.

  • Confirm the model (Trezor Model T or Trezor One) matches your order.
  • Check for stickers or seals; report anything suspicious.
  • Locate the included accessories: USB cable, recovery card, and quick start guide.

Security tip: Always download software only from the official site trezor.io/start. Avoid installers from third-party sites or random links in emails.

System Requirements

Trézor® works with Windows, macOS, and Linux for desktop, and there are web-enabled options. Make sure your computer meets basic security hygiene:

  • Use an up-to-date operating system and browser (Chrome/Firefox or the recommended Suite client).
  • Install official Trézor® Suite or use the web start page on a secure browser session.
  • A reliable USB cable and a direct USB port (avoid untrusted hubs).

Installing Trézor® Software

To manage your device we recommend the official Trézor® Suite or the official start page. Steps:

  1. Open a browser and navigate to trezor.io/start.
  2. Download the desktop Suite for your OS or follow the web instructions.
  3. Install and run the Suite. On first run it will guide you to connect your device and begin initialization.

Do not skip verification checks presented by the Suite — they help ensure the software and device are authentic.

Initial Device Setup

Power on and connect your Trézor® device to your computer. The Suite will detect the device and start the guided setup. During setup you will:

  • Choose to create a new wallet or recover from an existing seed.
  • Set a PIN code for device access (choose a PIN you can remember but is not trivial).
  • Generate and record your recovery seed (24 words recommended for modern devices).

Follow the on-screen prompts and confirm each step on your Trézor device display. The device screen is the authoritative source — never rely on the computer screen for secret values.

Recovery Seed — Creation & Storage

The recovery seed is your lifeline. It’s a human-readable backup (a list of words) that can be used to restore your wallets on a new device if your Trézor® is lost, stolen, or damaged. Best practices:

  1. Write the seed on the supplied recovery card (or use a metal backup) — never store it digitally.
  2. Store copies in geographically separated, secure locations (e.g., safe deposit box, personal safe).
  3. Do not photograph, type, or upload the seed anywhere (cloud services are insecure for seeds).
  4. Test your recovery process on a spare device using a throwaway seed if you want to rehearse the steps.

Warning: If someone obtains your seed (and passphrase, if used) they can control your funds. Treat it like cash or physical gold.

Choosing and Using a PIN

During setup you will select a PIN. The PIN prevents unauthorized access if someone physically has your device. Guidelines:

  • Choose a PIN that is not easily guessable (avoid birthdays or repeating patterns).
  • PIN entry is randomized on the device screen to mitigate shoulder-surfing and key-logger attacks.
  • If you forget the PIN you must perform a device reset and recover using your recovery seed.

Optional: Passphrase and Hidden Wallets

Trézor® supports an optional passphrase feature that creates hidden wallets derived from your seed plus an additional secret. This increases privacy and security but adds complexity:

  • A passphrase is functionally another word added to your seed; losing it means losing access to that hidden wallet.
  • Use passphrases only if you understand the risks and can maintain secure storage of the passphrase itself.

If you enable this feature, document your operational procedures carefully. Hidden wallets are powerful but dangerous if mishandled.

Firmware Updates

Occasionally Trézor® releases firmware updates to add features or patch vulnerabilities. Always update through the official Suite and verify signatures. Before updating:

  • Ensure you have your recovery seed backed up.
  • Use a trusted internet connection and a good USB cable.
  • Follow the Suite’s instructions exactly; the device will display prompts you must confirm on-device.

Basic Workflows: Receive, Send, and Check Balances

Receiving

  1. Open the Suite and select the receiving account (coin type).
  2. Click Receive. Verify the address on the device screen matches what the Suite shows.
  3. Share the verified address with the sender.

Sending

  1. Choose Send, enter the destination address and amount.
  2. Review the unsigned transaction in Suite, then confirm on your Trézor® device where the destination, amount and fee are shown.
  3. Approve on-device to sign; the Suite will broadcast the signed transaction.

Always verify addresses on-device to avoid malware-generated address swaps.

Troubleshooting — Common Issues

  • Device not detected: Try a different USB cable/port and ensure Suite has permissions. Reboot if necessary.
  • Missing balance: Refresh account or reconnect to a different node; allow time for network confirmations.
  • Firmware update failed: Use a reliable cable and follow recovery instructions from official support.

If in doubt, consult official Trézor® support and documentation rather than third-party advice that may be outdated or unsafe.

Best Practices & Safety Checklist

  • Always use official downloads: trezor.io/start.
  • Store your recovery seed offline (preferably on metal or fireproof paper backups).
  • Enable a PIN and consider a passphrase only if you fully understand it.
  • Verify every transaction on the device screen before approving.
  • Use separate devices/machines for high-value operations when practical.

Conclusion

Starting up your Trézor® device correctly is the most important step to keeping your crypto safe for the long term. By following the procedures above — careful unboxing, official software, proper seed handling, and verifying everything on-device — you dramatically reduce risk. Trézor® puts control back in your hands: treat that control responsibly.

For detailed official documentation, firmware notes, and support: trezor.io/start.