Starting Up Your Device™ | Trezor®
You’ve just acquired a Trezor hardware wallet — congratulations! This guide will walk you through every step at Trezor.io/Start to bring your device to life. Whether you're a first-time user or migrating from another wallet, you'll find clear instructions here to begin protecting your digital assets.
A hardware wallet like Trezor keeps your private keys **offline**, away from internet threats. But it still needs a secure initialization and setup. Let’s get started! 🚀
Before you dive in, ensure you have the following items ready:
⚠️ Important: Never enter your recovery seed into a website or share it digitally. Always keep it offline.
Launch your web browser and navigate to https://trezor.io/start. Confirm that the URL is correct and that the TLS/SSL padlock icon is present. This is the **official** setup portal for your device.
On that page, you'll be guided to download the Trezor Suite or continue via browser, depending on your preference or system. The site detects your device model and offers relevant instructions. :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}
On Trezor.io/Start, click the button to download Trezor Suite for your operating system (Windows, macOS, Linux). Trezor Suite is the application that helps you manage your wallet, view balances, send/receive, and upgrade firmware. :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}
After downloading, run the installer and open the app. The first launch prepares your environment for device integration. ({\small No command line, no advanced settings — just install and go}.) :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}
Use the supplied USB cable to connect your Trezor to your computer. The device screen should light up and prompt you. In Trezor Suite, your device will be recognized automatically. If it doesn’t show, check your connection or try another USB port. :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}
The Trezor device may perform a hardware check to verify authenticity — this is normal and ensures that it’s an original unit. :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}
Many Trezor devices ship without firmware to enhance security. Trezor Suite will prompt you to install the latest firmware version. Confirm the update on your device and wait for it to reinstall and reboot. :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}
If your device already has firmware but an update is available, the same prompt appears. Always use only official firmware via Trezor Suite to avoid malicious versions. :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}
After firmware is installed and verified, you’ll choose between:
If creating new, your device will generate a random recovery seed (usually 12 or 24 words). Write these words **in exact order** onto the recovery seed card (or equivalent). As a safety measure, you’ll be prompted to confirm some of the words on your Trezor to verify correct recording. :contentReference[oaicite:8]{index=8}
Next, you’ll choose a PIN (typically 4–9 digits, depending on model). This PIN protects against unauthorized access when your device is connected. :contentReference[oaicite:9]{index=9}
The PIN is entered **on the device screen**, not on your computer—this ensures your PIN cannot be captured by malware. :contentReference[oaicite:10]{index=10}
Once setup is complete, Trezor Suite lets you choose which cryptocurrencies (coins/tokens) to enable in your wallet overview. You may also name your device or customize settings like passphrase or hidden wallet features (for advanced users). :contentReference[oaicite:11]{index=11}
At this point, your wallet is ready. You can send, receive, view balances, or integrate with decentralized apps (dApps). Every transaction must be physically confirmed on the device itself, preserving strong security. :contentReference[oaicite:12]{index=12}
After setup, these are your essential tasks:
Trezor is powerful, but its security relies on you observing safe habits:
Losing your Trezor isn’t catastrophic—as long as you have your recovery seed, you can recover your wallet:
If you used an optional passphrase, you'll need to enter it exactly as before. Without it, some funds may remain inaccessible. Always keep passphrase knowledge safe. :contentReference[oaicite:17]{index=17}
Occasionally, you might run into snags. Here are solutions to frequent issues: