Trezor.io/Start® — Starting Up Your Device

A concise, secure 1,500-word guide to unboxing, initializing, backing up your recovery seed, using Trezor Suite, and staying safe.

What’s in the box & first checks

When your Trezor arrives, inspect packaging and contents before connecting the device. Typical items include the Trezor device (Model One or Model T), a USB cable, recovery seed cards or blanks, and quick-start materials. Verify tamper-evident seals; if the packaging appears opened or altered, don’t use the device — contact the seller or Trezor support.

Prerequisites

Before setup gather a computer with a modern browser (or use the Trezor Suite desktop app), the device USB cable, and a private, well-lit workspace. Have a pen and the supplied recovery card or high-quality archival paper ready. Avoid public computers for initial setup when possible.

Initial setup — step-by-step

  1. Connect the device — plug Trezor into the computer using the supplied cable. The device screen powers on and shows a welcome message.
  2. Open Trezor Suite — visit suite.trezor.io or install the desktop app from the official site. Use the official site only; bookmark it for future access.
  3. Verify device — Suite will detect your device and prompt you to confirm the model and fingerprint shown on the device. Always verify these on-device to prevent spoofing.
  4. Firmware update — if prompted, follow Suite’s firmware update flow. Firmware is cryptographically signed; confirm checksums/fingerprints shown in Suite match the device before installing. Do not disconnect during updates.
  5. Create or recover — choose to create a new wallet or recover an existing one from a recovery phrase. For a new wallet the device generates the recovery seed; for recovery, enter your seed using the device interface.
  6. Set a PIN — choose a PIN to protect local access. The device displays a randomized keypad when entering the PIN to mitigate host-side keyloggers. Avoid trivial PINs (e.g., 1234).

Recovery seed — generation & backup

The recovery seed (mnemonic) is the single most important element of your wallet. Trezor generates the seed using its secure random number generator and displays the words on-device — never type or store the seed on a connected computer.

Backup best practices

  • Write each word in order on the provided card or archival paper. Use a permanent pen and double-check spelling.
  • Create multiple physical copies and store them in geographically separate secure locations (home safe, bank safe deposit box).
  • For long-term durability consider steel backups designed for mnemonic storage to resist fire, water, and aging.
  • Avoid digital copies — no photos, screenshots, cloud backups, or storing in password managers.
  • Consider Shamir Backup (if supported by your model) to split the seed into shares with threshold recovery for advanced setups.
Important: Trezor staff will never ask for your recovery seed. If anyone requests it, it’s a scam.

Installing and using Trezor Suite

Trezor Suite is the official app for managing accounts, sending and receiving funds, applying firmware updates, and configuring device settings.

Key steps:

  • Download Suite from the official site and install (desktop recommended for full features).
  • Connect and unlock your device; Suite will present an account dashboard and options to add supported cryptocurrencies.
  • Use the Receive flow to request deposit addresses; always confirm the address on the device screen before sharing it with a sender.
  • To send funds, create a transaction in Suite and confirm all details on the device. The private key remains on-device — Suite only transmits the signed transaction to the network.

Accounts & third‑party integrations

Trezor supports many chains and can integrate with third-party wallets (e.g., MetaMask, Electrum) for advanced features. When using third-party apps, keep the same verification discipline: always validate transaction details and addresses on the Trezor device screen before approving.

Firmware & device maintenance

Firmware keeps your device secure — install updates through Trezor Suite when available. Verify any fingerprints, checksums, or release notes provided by Suite. If an update fails or the device becomes unresponsive, reconnect and follow recovery instructions in Suite or consult official support resources.

Device care tips: keep the device dry, avoid extreme temperatures, and store the device and seed separately.

Security best practices

  • Buy devices only from Trezor or authorized resellers to avoid supply‑chain tampering.
  • Never disclose your recovery seed or PIN. Do not enter the seed into any website or share it via messaging apps.
  • Consider using a passphrase (creates a hidden wallet) if you understand its implications — losing the passphrase means losing access to that hidden wallet.
  • For high-value holdings, evaluate multisignature setups and custody diversification.
  • Regularly verify firmware authenticity and monitor official Trezor channels for security notices.

Troubleshooting common issues

Device not detected

Try a different USB cable or port (avoid unpowered hubs), restart the computer, and ensure Suite has necessary permissions. If the device remains undetected, consult support.

Firmware update failure

Do not disconnect mid-update. Reconnect the device and open Suite — recovery options should be provided. If needed, follow official recovery instructions or contact Trezor support.

Lost or damaged seed

If you lose your seed and still have device access, immediately create a new seed on a new device and transfer funds. If the seed is lost and device access is also lost, the funds cannot be recovered.

Quick checklist (one page)

  • Verify packaging integrity before use
  • Install official Trezor Suite from suite.trezor.io
  • Create PIN, write down recovery seed immediately
  • Store seed copies in separate secure locations (consider steel backup)
  • Verify addresses and transaction details on-device for every transaction
  • Keep firmware updated and follow official support for issues