Welcome — purpose of this guide
Welcome to the Official Trezor.io/Start Setup Guide. This document is designed to walk you, step by step, through the secure initialization and ongoing maintenance of your Trezor hardware wallet. It covers unboxing, first connection, firmware verification, PIN and recovery seed creation, optional passphrase usage, daily security practices, troubleshooting, and resources for developers and power users. Follow each step carefully — the setup process you complete now will strongly influence the security of your assets for years to come.
Unboxing and initial inspection
Upon receiving your Trezor device, inspect the packaging for tamper-evident seals and any signs of damage. Authentic devices are shipped in sealed packages; visible tampering or suspicious packaging is a reason to contact official support rather than continuing. Keep the box and paperwork until setup completes successfully. Avoid connecting the device before installing companion software from official channels.
Choose official companion software
Trezor Suite is the recommended official interface for managing devices. It is available as a desktop app and as a web app. Downloading Suite from trezor.io ensures you receive verified installers and the latest release notes. While third-party wallets can interoperate with Trezor devices, using the official Suite for first-run tasks — firmware updates, recovery checks, and initial account setup — minimizes risk for new users.
First connection and firmware
Use the supplied USB cable and connect the device directly to your computer. The device will display a welcome message and a device identifier; verify that the identifier matches what the host application reports before continuing. If the host prompts for a firmware update, accept updates only when they are offered through the official Suite or a trusted release channel. The device will cryptographically verify firmware signatures before installation — do not attempt to install firmware from unknown sources or untrusted builds.
Set a secure PIN
During initialization you will be prompted to create a PIN. This numeric code protects access to the device if it is lost or stolen. Choose a PIN that is long enough to resist casual guessing but manageable for you to remember. Avoid trivial sequences or personal dates. Trezor devices implement anti-brute-force protections that throttle and can wipe device data after repeated incorrect attempts; these protections increase the security of a stolen device, but they are not a substitute for physically securing the device.
Create and protect your recovery seed
The recovery seed is the most critical artifact in your custody strategy. During setup the device will display a sequence of words — typically 12, 18, or 24 words depending on the model and configuration. Write these words down on the included backup card or another secure medium, in the exact order presented. Do not photograph, type into a cloud-synced note, or store the seed digitally. Consider durable backup solutions such as metal seed plates for long-term resilience against fire and water. Store backups in secure, geographically separated locations.
Understanding optional passphrases (advanced)
An optional passphrase can be used as an additional secret alongside your recovery seed to create a separate hidden wallet. While powerful, passphrases are advanced: losing the passphrase makes the corresponding funds unrecoverable even if the seed is available. Only enable passphrase protection if you understand the trade-offs and have secure procedures for remembering or storing that passphrase. For most users the standard seed plus PIN combination is sufficient and less error-prone.
Verifying backups and testing recovery
Before transferring significant funds to your new wallet, perform a test restore using a spare device or a secure test environment. Restoring a seed to a second device confirms that your written backup is accurate and complete. This step should use small test amounts where possible and follow official restoration procedures. Testing backups reduces the risk of later surprises when a recovery is needed.
Daily security practices
Adopt simple habits that greatly reduce long-term risk. Always verify transaction details on the Trezor device's screen before approving; the host computer display can be manipulated by malware. Keep device firmware and companion software updated using official channels. Never reveal your PIN, passphrase, or recovery seed to anyone, and be cautious with social engineering attempts. Consider using separate devices or separate accounts for long-term cold storage versus active spending to reduce exposure.
Managing firmware updates
Trezor devices receive firmware updates that patch vulnerabilities and improve features. Firmware updates are distributed via Trezor Suite and signed by the manufacturer. During updates the device performs signature checks before applying new firmware. Always verify update prompts in Suite and accept only authenticated updates. Avoid third-party firmware or unofficial modifications unless you are an advanced user who can independently verify the integrity and provenance of an alternative build.
Troubleshooting common issues
If the device is not recognized, try a different USB cable and port, avoid hubs for the initial configuration, and restart Trezor Suite or the host system. Unplug and reconnect the device, and confirm that the physical buttons respond. If Suite reports driver issues on Windows, follow the official driver or installation guidance. Do not attempt untrusted repairs; if the device behaves unexpectedly or the display shows unknown prompts, contact official support for guidance.
Lost PIN or factory reset
If you forget the PIN you can perform a factory reset on the device and restore from the recovery seed. This is by design: the PIN is not recoverable without the seed. If you cannot locate your seed, funds may be irretrievable. This underscores the importance of secure, tested backups. For critical custodial responsibilities, maintain documented backup and recovery procedures and ensure they are tested periodically.
Lost seed or forgotten passphrase
If the recovery seed is lost or the passphrase is forgotten, there is no vendor backdoor: those funds may be permanently inaccessible. Hardware wallets provide strong guarantees of custody and privacy precisely because there is no central recovery mechanism. For this reason, plan your backup strategy carefully and consider using multi-signature setups for institutional use cases to reduce single-point-of-failure risk.
Using multiple accounts and coin types
Trezor devices support multiple cryptocurrencies and hierarchical deterministic accounts. Use separate accounts for different purposes (savings, trading, testing). Be careful to use the correct derivation paths if integrating with third-party software. For unfamiliar coin types, consult official documentation or community guides before importing large balances.
Developer considerations and integrations
Developers integrating Trezor devices into applications should require explicit, on-device confirmation for any signing operation. Leverage official libraries and reference implementations to avoid subtle protocol errors. Avoid exposing full private details in the host UI; demonstrate only the minimal necessary information to help users make an informed approval on the device. If your integration requires automation or scripted signing, consider whether hardware wallets are the right tool or if a multi-signature or HSM-based approach better fits your operational security needs.
Enterprise and advanced setups
For business environments, consider multi-signature wallets, hardware security modules, and policy-driven operational procedures. Train staff, document recovery protocols, and rotate responsibilities to avoid single-person dependencies. Maintain air-gapped backups where possible and review access controls for any physical locations storing seed backups.
End-to-end checklist before funding
Confirm packaging integrity; install Suite from trezor.io; connect the device directly; update firmware through Suite only; set a PIN; write down and verify the recovery seed; test recovery on a second device; consider (and document) passphrase decisions; secure backups in multiple locations; and adopt ongoing habits for verification and software updates.
Additional best practices and glossary
Consider keeping a short, offline checklist near your secure storage area that lists steps for recovery and the locations of backups (without including the actual seed or passphrase). A simple glossary helps non-technical custodians understand terms like "seed", "derivation path", "passphrase", and "multisig". Educate trusted backup custodians on the difference between sharing knowledge of where a backup is stored and sharing the actual secrets. Finally, keep an eye on official advisories and release notes for important security announcements.
Support and verification
If you run into unclear situations or suspect tampering, contact official support channels for verification rather than relying on informal community advice. Official documentation and release notes include cryptographic signatures and verification instructions that help ensure files and firmware are authentic. For institutional environments, create a verified chain-of-custody for backups and limit access using role-based controls.