Trezor.io/Start — Official Setup Guide

This page walks you through every step to set up your Trezor hardware wallet safely and confidently. Follow each step carefully — security matters.

Trezor device and guide

Before you begin — what to have ready

Setting up a Trezor takes about 10–20 minutes. Before you start, gather these items and choose a quiet, private space where you can complete the setup uninterrupted.

  • Your new Trezor device (Model T or Model One).
  • A computer or mobile device with an up-to-date browser (Chrome, Firefox, or the latest Chromium-based browser).
  • A USB cable that fits your Trezor (included in the box) or a USB-C adapter if required.
  • A pen and paper for writing down your recovery phrase (do not store the recovery phrase digitally).
  • Access to the official setup page — you will be guided there during the process.

Unboxing — verify packaging and contents

Inspect the box and tamper-evident seals before opening. Official packages include a single tamper-evident sticker — its absence or signs of tampering should be treated as suspicious.

What's inside:

  • 1× Trezor device
  • 1× USB cable
  • Recovery seed cards (paper or cardboard)
  • User manual and stickers

Step-by-step setup

Step 1 — Connect your device

Use the included cable to connect your Trezor to your computer. If you have a Model T and it has a touchscreen, a welcome screen will appear on the device; Model One uses physical buttons.

Step 2 — Visit the official start page

Open your browser and navigate to trezor.io/start. The web page will detect your device and guide you through the rest of the process. Do not follow instructions from third-party sites — always use the official domain.

Step 3 — Install Trezor Bridge or Trezor Suite (if prompted)

Trezor may ask you to install a small helper (Trezor Bridge) or to download Trezor Suite. Follow the on-screen instructions. Only download software from trezor.io.

Step 4 — Initialize your Trezor

The setup flow will ask if you want to create a new wallet or recover an existing one. Choose Create new unless you are restoring from a known recovery phrase.

Step 5 — Note your recovery phrase

Your Trezor will generate a 12, 18, or 24-word recovery phrase (depending on model/settings). It will display the words one-by-one — write them down in order on the supplied recovery card. Never take a photo or store it on a computer or online.

Step 6 — Confirm the phrase

After writing down the phrase, the device will prompt you to confirm word(s) from the phrase to verify you recorded them correctly. This ensures you can restore the wallet if the device is lost or damaged.

Step 7 — Update firmware

If the device requires a firmware update, the official interface will offer a secure, signed update process. Keep the device connected and follow prompts. Firmware updates are signed by the manufacturer to prevent tampered code.

Step 8 — Set a PIN

Set a PIN code when prompted. PINs are entered on the device and never travel to the computer. Use a PIN you can remember but that others cannot guess. If you forget your PIN you will need your recovery phrase to regain access.

Step 9 — Install apps & add coins

For Model T and Model One, Trezor Suite lets you add individual coin apps or manage multiple cryptocurrencies from a single interface. Open Trezor Suite, add your accounts, and follow the on-screen instructions to receive or send funds.

Step 10 — Complete setup & test

To confirm everything works, try sending a small test transaction to your new wallet. Use a small amount you are comfortable losing while you confirm the process.

Security best practices

Protecting your crypto starts with basics. Follow these rules to reduce the risk of loss or theft:

  • Only buy devices from official channels. Resellers are convenient but verify authenticity.
  • Never share your recovery phrase. No one from Trezor, support staff, or legitimate services will ever ask for it.
  • Do not store recovery phrases digitally. Avoid screenshots, cloud storage, text files, or photos.
  • Keep the recovery phrase offline and in multiple physical copies. Consider fireproof/waterproof storage and geographically separate copies for disaster resilience.
  • Use a strong, unique PIN and enable additional protection features where available.
  • Verify addresses on the device display before approving transactions. Malware on the computer can alter what's shown in your browser; the device display is the trusted source.

Troubleshooting common issues

Device not recognized?

Try a different USB cable, USB port, or a different computer. Install Trezor Bridge or open Trezor Suite. If the device still isn’t found, reboot your machine and try again.

Firmware update failed?

Keep your device connected and do not disconnect during the update. If the update fails, follow on-screen recovery instructions or visit the official support portal. Never use unofficial firmware.

Lost recovery phrase?

If you cannot find your recovery phrase, but you still have device access, make a new backup immediately and transfer funds to a new wallet. If you lose both the device and recovery phrase, funds are unrecoverable.

Advanced tips & features

After setup, explore features that increase security and convenience:

  • Passphrase protection: An optional passphrase acts as a 25th word that creates an additional hidden wallet. Treat passphrases like an extra secret — losing it will lock you out of those funds.
  • Multisig setups: Combine multiple devices or services to require several signatures for spending funds. Multisig reduces single-point-of-failure risk.
  • Shamir Backup (SLIP-0039): Some models or setups support Shamir backup, which splits recovery into multiple shares.
  • Coin-specific apps: Use Trezor Suite to install and manage coin-specific integrations when necessary.

Frequently asked questions

Can I set up Trezor without connecting to the internet?
Initial setup requires a connection to download software or use Trezor Suite. However, the critical secrets — PIN and recovery phrase — are generated on-device and never sent over the internet.
Is the recovery phrase the same as a private key?
The recovery phrase encodes your private keys. Restore with the phrase to recreate private keys on a new device.
What if the screen is damaged?
If the device display is broken, you may not be able to confirm transactions. Restore your recovery phrase on a new, verified Trezor device or compatible wallet that supports recovery.
Where can I get official support?
Always start at trezor.io/support. Avoid help from unknown forums asking for your recovery phrase.

Quick reference — do's and don'ts

Do

  • Write down your recovery phrase and store copies in secure locations.
  • Verify addresses on the device display.
  • Keep firmware up to date using the official updater.

Don't

  • Don't share your recovery phrase or PIN with anyone.
  • Don't enter your recovery phrase on a website or app.
  • Don't buy second‑hand hardware unless you can verify its integrity.

Final checklist

  • Device set up and secured with PIN
  • Recovery phrase written and stored offline
  • Firmware updated to the latest official release
  • Test transaction confirmed
  • Optional features configured (passphrase, multisig) as needed