Welcome! This guide walks you through powering on your Trezor, performing the initial setup, creating a secure backup, and adopting smart habits for long-term device safety. It's written in clear sections with headings (H1–H5), code examples, and links to the official setup page so you can access the canonical instructions anytime: https://trezor.io/start.
What is a Trezor and why “start” matters?
Trezor is a brand of hardware wallets made to hold cryptocurrency private keys in a secure, offline device. The "start" (initial onboarding) is critical because it's the moment you generate seed words (your recovery phrase), set a PIN, and confirm that the device is genuine and uncompromised. A correct, careful start prevents common mistakes that can lead to lost funds or recovery problems later.
The safe-start mindset
Before touching your device, adopt a safety-first mindset:
- Prefer a private, distraction-free space.
- Use the official Trezor onboarding page: https://trezor.io/start.
- Never share your recovery phrase with anyone or enter it online.
What you'll need
Checklist
- Your Trezor hardware device (Model One or Model T).
- A computer or phone with a modern browser.
- A USB cable or OTG adapter for mobile setups.
- A secure place for writing down the recovery phrase (do not store digitally).
Important: use the official start page
The official step-by-step walkthrough is hosted at the manufacturer's site. Bookmark or open: https://trezor.io/start. The page guides you through firmware verification and pairing — crucial safety steps that reduce risk of tampered devices.
Step-by-step: powering on & verifying your device
1 — Physical unboxing and inspection
Check the packaging seals, look for any obvious tampering, and confirm the model printed on the device. If anything seems off, contact the vendor immediately. Once satisfied, connect the device to your computer using the cable.
2 — Visit the official onboarding URL
Open the official page: https://trezor.io/start. Follow the instructions to install any recommended official client or browser extension. Official resources ensure your firmware is genuine and up to date.
3 — Install and confirm firmware
The device will prompt to install or update firmware. This is normal. Only accept firmware recommended through the official channels. After firmware is installed, the Trezor displays a "genuine" verification screen. Match the words or QR on the device with the website's output when asked.
Why firmware verification matters
Firmware is the device's operating layer. If an attacker could get malicious firmware on your device, they could compromise generated keys. Official verification uses cryptographic signatures: follow it carefully during first start.
PIN selection & secure usage
4 — Choose a strong PIN
Trezor uses a PIN to protect physical access. Choose a PIN that's easy for you to remember but hard for others to guess. Avoid simple sequential patterns. You’ll enter the PIN on the device's screen (or via the browser grid for Model One).
Best PIN practices
- Make it longer than 4 digits if possible.
- Never write the PIN on the recovery seed card.
- Use a PIN manager for hints only — not the PIN itself.
Generating and securing your recovery seed
5 — Write down the recovery phrase
The device generates a recovery phrase (12, 18, or 24 words depending on model and options). Write these words exactly, in order, on stationery designed for seeds or on a dedicated metal backup if you want maximum durability.
Why paper + metal backups?
Paper is convenient, but vulnerable to fire, water, and theft. Metal backups resist fire and moisture. Regardless of medium, store multiple backups in separate secure locations if possible (e.g., home safe and safety deposit box).
6 — Never store the seed digitally
Digital storage (photos, cloud notes, text files) can be compromised. Treat your seed like cash — physical and private. If you must encode it, use a cryptographically strong offline method and split across multiple physical locations (advanced users only).
Confirming recovery and finishing setup
7 — Confirm the seed
The device will often ask you to confirm a few seed words to verify you wrote them down correctly. This helps avoid mistakes that could prevent recovery later. Confirm carefully.
8 — Add accounts and test small
Add your first crypto accounts and test by sending a small amount from another wallet as a verification. Confirm transactions appear correctly on the device screen before approving.
Practice approvals
The approval screens show transaction details. Always verify amounts and addresses on the device display itself — not solely in the desktop/mobile application.
Post-setup habits for long-term safety
Routine checks
- Periodically check firmware updates at the official link: https://trezor.io/start.
- Perform a mock recovery with a secondary device or trusted friend (without revealing your full seed) if you want to test recovery steps.
Sharing & inheritance
Plan how heirs can access assets if needed. Options include a sealed, bank-safe storage of the seed, or legal mechanisms like a will referencing the seed location (but not writing the seed itself). Consider using multisig with multiple hardware wallets for high-value holdings.
Troubleshooting & support
Common questions
- Lost PIN but have seed: You can recover on a new device using your recovery phrase.
- Device not recognized: Try a different cable, official bridge software, or an alternate USB port; check the official help pages at https://trezor.io/start.
- Firmware error: Only install firmware from official sources and follow the exact on-screen steps.
When to contact official support
If you suspect physical tampering, or you receive unexpected prompts asking for your seed, stop and reach to official support. Use contact channels listed at the official domain rather than community mirrors.
Advanced tips (for confident users)
Using a passphrase
A passphrase is an optional extra string added to your seed to create a family of "hidden" wallets — it increases security but requires careful handling (losing the passphrase loses access). If you use a passphrase, memorize or store it with the same caution as the seed.
Multisig for high-value holdings
Multisignature wallets distribute the power to move funds across multiple devices/keys. For serious funds, combine hardware wallets and cold storage peers to minimize single points of failure.
Pro tip:
Use offline air-gapped signing workflows when you need the highest level of protection: prepare unsigned transactions on an online machine, sign them on an air-gapped hardware device, then broadcast from the online machine.
Frequently asked: seed length & recovery
Seeds (12/18/24 words) follow BIP39 or BIP39-like standards. Longer seeds increase entropy but the most important factor is correct, secure storage. If you need to move from one device to another, the recovery procedure on the official page explains step-by-step recovery methods: https://trezor.io/start.
Restoring a lost device
If a device is lost or broken, you can recover wallets on any compatible hardware or software that supports the same seed standard. Use only trusted devices and follow the official recovery screens.
Designing a personal safety plan
Think of your seed as the master key. Create an actionable plan:
- Where will the seed live? (safe, bank, hidden location)
- Who needs to know its location? (spouse, legal executor)
- How will you rotate or update backup copies over time?
Red team: consider threats
Consider theft, fire, flood, coercion, or social engineering. Solutions include splitting seed words across multiple storage locations (Shamir or secret sharing techniques) and legal protections.
Green team: consider convenience
Balance safety with usability. If backups are too complex, you may fail to recover. Aim for an approach you can execute under stress.
Wrap-up & next steps
Starting your Trezor device is straightforward when you follow the official steps and adopt security-minded habits. Remember:
- Always use the official onboarding pages: https://trezor.io/start.
- Never share your recovery phrase.
- Use strong PINs and consider passphrases for extra protection.
- Back up physically and store across secure locations.
Final note of encouragement
Learning secure patterns now prevents headaches later. With a little care during the start process, your Trezor will become a reliable guardian for your digital assets.