Overview
This guide will walk you through the official setup and quickstart process for a Trezor® hardware wallet. The goal is to make the setup safe and simple: unbox, verify authenticity, initialize the device, back up your recovery seed, and connect to a recommended interface. Along the way you'll learn security best practices and troubleshooting tips.
Before you begin
Prepare a clean, well-lit workspace. Use a personal computer you trust (preferably freshly updated) and a stable internet connection. Keep a pen and secure paper or the provided recovery card nearby for your seed phrase. Never share your seed with anyone, and never enter it into software or into a web page.
Step-by-step Quickstart
Step 1 — Inspect the package
Before powering on your Trezor, check the box for tamper-evident seals and compare included items with the official packing list: device, USB cable, recovery card, and quick start leaflet. If anything looks off (broken seals, missing items, scratched surfaces), contact the vendor or Trezor support before continuing.
Step 2 — Connect the device
Connect Trezor to your computer using the supplied USB cable. Modern Trezor models will power up and display a welcome screen. Use only the official cable or a short, high-quality cable you trust. Avoid public or unknown chargers.
Step 3 — Open the official start page
Visit the official Trezor start page (the title shown above) in your browser. Type the URL manually rather than clicking links from untrusted emails or messages. Confirm the page certificate in your browser and ensure the site is the official source before downloading any companion software.
Step 4 — Install companion app
Install the recommended Trezor Bridge or native app if prompted. Follow the official download links. The companion app helps the browser communicate securely with the hardware wallet. Accept permissions only when necessary and keep the app updated.
Step 5 — Initialize device
Follow on-screen prompts on both the device and the web interface. Choose either 'Create a new wallet' or 'Restore wallet' if you already have a recovery phrase. If creating new, the device will generate a seed using its internal entropy; confirm generated words shown on the device with the application when required.
Step 6 — Write down your recovery seed
This is the most important part. The device will display a 12, 18, or 24-word recovery phrase depending on model and options. Write these words, in order, on the supplied recovery card or another trusted medium. Do not store the seed digitally (no photos, no text files, no cloud storage). Keep multiple physical copies in secure, separate locations if desired.
Step 7 — Set a PIN
Choose a device PIN when prompted. The PIN prevents unauthorized use if the device is lost or stolen. Use a PIN that is memorable to you but not easily guessable. The PIN is entered on the device screen by tapping randomized numbers, minimizing the risk of keylogging.
Step 8 — Confirm final checks
Confirm firmware integrity, model number, and device labels. Make sure the firmware shown by the companion app matches the device and is from the official source. If an unexpected firmware update is required, verify details from the official documentation before proceeding.
Step 9 — Add accounts and receive funds
After setup, add cryptocurrency accounts via the recommended interface and generate receive addresses. Always verify addresses on the device screen before sending funds to them. Send a small test amount first to confirm everything is working.
Step 10 — Store the device safely
When not in use, keep your Trezor in a secure, dry place. Consider a locked drawer or a safe. Treat the recovery seed as the core authority for your funds: losing the device is recoverable with the seed, but losing the seed without a device can mean permanent loss of access.
Security best practices
Your hardware wallet is only as secure as the practices you follow. Never disclose your recovery phrase. Avoid typing the phrase into any computer or phone. Use a dedicated device for managing large amounts if possible, and enable firmware updates only from trusted official sources. Consider storing your recovery seed in more than one physically separated, secure location – for example, a safe at home and a bank deposit box – while remaining mindful of legal and privacy implications.
Troubleshooting
If your device doesn't power on, check the cable and the USB port. Try a different cable or port. If the companion app doesn't detect the device, ensure you have installed the official Bridge or allowed the browser to access the device. For firmware update issues or unexpected prompts, stop and consult official documentation or support. Never follow repair instructions from unknown sources that involve revealing your recovery seed.
FAQs
Q: Can I recover my wallet on a different device?
A: Yes — the recovery phrase follows the BIP39/BIP32 standards (or the scheme used by your device) and can be used to restore your wallet on compatible hardware or software that supports the same standards. Always use trusted recovery methods and never reveal your seed.
Q: Is my seed backed up online?
A: No. Your seed should be stored offline on paper or metal backup solutions. Storing seeds online exposes them to theft and should be avoided.
Additional tips & new vocabulary
To help comprehension, here are short definitions for terms used above and a few new words you can use when documenting or presenting this material:
- Entropy
- Randomness collected by a device to securely generate cryptographic keys.
- Seed phrase
- Also called recovery phrase — a list of words that represents your wallet’s master key.
- Bridge
- Software that enables communication between the Trezor device and a web browser.
- Firmware
- Software running on the device that controls its functions; signing updates cryptographically is key.
- Cold storage
- Keeping private keys offline to protect funds from remote theft.
- Nonce
- A number used once in cryptographic communications, often for preventing replay attacks.
- Shamir (SLIP-0039)
- An advanced secret-sharing scheme that can split a seed into multiple parts for distributed backup.
Closing summary
Setting up a Trezor device securely is straightforward when following established steps: verify hardware authenticity, initialize via the official start page, securely record your recovery seed, set a robust PIN, and practice conservative security hygiene. The effort invested at setup time dramatically lowers the risk of loss later. Keep learning and consult official resources for specific model details.