1. Welcome & Goal
What this guide covers
This presentation walks you through the official Trezor setup flow from trezor.io/start. It’s designed for first-time users and covers unboxing, connecting, initializing, securing your seed phrase, and best practices for everyday use. Read carefully, and don’t rush — security depends on deliberate steps.
Why follow the official guide?
Using the manufacturer’s setup prevents common mistakes: installing unofficial firmware, skipping backups, or entering your recovery on a computer. The hardware wallet isolates private keys so online attackers can’t reach them.
2. Unboxing & Inspection
Check the packaging
When you receive your device, verify the tamper-evident packaging and the holographic seal (if present). Only proceed if packaging appears intact. Keep the box and accessories; they may be necessary for warranty or support.
Contents
- Trezor device
- USB cable
- Recovery seed card(s)
- User manual and stickers
Tip
Do not connect the device to a public or unfamiliar computer for initial setup. Use your personal computer whenever possible.
3. Connect Device
Plug in and open trezor.io/start
Visit trezor.io/start and follow the on-screen instructions. Connect the device using the supplied cable. The website will detect your model and guide you through firmware verification. Only accept the official firmware prompts on both the website and the device screen.
Model recognition
Ensure the model shown on-screen matches your device. Never install firmware from unofficial sources.
4. Initialize Device
Create a new wallet or restore
Choose Create new to generate a fresh wallet. If you already have a recovery phrase, select Recover wallet. When creating new, the device will generate a random seed phrase (usually 12–24 words). Record this seed exactly in the supplied recovery card — never digitally.
On-device confirmation
Confirm words and follow verification prompts on the device before continuing. The screen will display actions the device took — verify these match the website.
5. Backup — Recovery Seed
Write it down securely
The recovery seed is the single most important item. If the device is lost or damaged, the seed restores access. Write the words clearly on the recovery card provided and store it in a safe, offline location — ideally a fireproof safe or bank deposit box. Consider multiple geographically separated copies.
Never share your seed
Never type the seed into a computer, take a photo, or store it in cloud storage. Anyone with the seed can steal your funds.
6. PIN & Passphrase
Set a strong PIN
Create a PIN when prompted. The PIN protects local access to the device. Choose a PIN you can remember but isn’t easily guessable. The device will scramble the layout to defeat shoulder-surfing.
Optional passphrase
A passphrase is an advanced feature that acts like a 25th word for your seed — it creates additional hidden wallets. Use with extreme caution: if you forget the passphrase, funds may be irretrievable.
7. Recovery & Testing
Test restore on a spare device
If possible, test recovery on a spare device (or after setting up a temporary wallet) to confirm your written seed is correct. This proactive step avoids disaster if the original device fails in the future.
Practice small transfers
Send a small amount to the new wallet first to verify everything works end-to-end. Confirm balances and addresses on the Trezor device screen before approving any transaction.
8. Regular Use
Confirm on-device
Always confirm addresses and transaction details on the Trezor screen, not your computer. Malware can alter addresses displayed on the computer but cannot change the hardware screen.
Software wallets
Use trusted wallet software (Trezor Suite or other compatible wallets) and keep it updated. Avoid browser extensions from unknown publishers.
9. Security Best Practices
Keep firmware updated
Only update firmware via the official site when prompted and verify the update signature. Maintain physical security: never leave your device unattended in public. Store backup seeds offline and consider a metal backup for fire resistance.
Phishing awareness
Phishing attacks often mimic the official site; always type trezor.io directly into your browser or use a trusted bookmark. Check HTTPS and the domain carefully before entering sensitive information.
10. Help & Resources
Where to go next
For deeper setup, advanced features, or troubleshooting, visit the official resources at trezor.io/start and the Trezor support pages. Community forums and FAQs can also be helpful, but always cross-check advice with official documentation.