Trezor.io/Start | Starting® Up® Your® Device®

Introduction: Why start your Trezor the right way?

If you just unboxed a Trezor device (congrats!) — you’ve got a powerful hardware wallet in your hands. But it’s not just about plugging it in and clicking “accept”. Proper onboarding, secure seed generation, and a few good habits are what make your Trezor a trustworthy vault for your crypto.

What this guide covers

This walkthrough shows you every reasonable step: unboxing, verifying authenticity, initializing, creating a new seed or restoring an existing one, setting up a PIN, backing up your recovery, connecting to the web wallet, basic troubleshooting, and longer-term maintenance. There are tips for power users and plain-language explanations for first-timers.

Unboxing & visual check (h3 → h4 → h5 included)

Unbox carefully

Start on a clean, well-lit surface. Keep packaging until setup is complete. Check for tamper-evident seals and review the included quickstart materials. Treat the box and its contents as part of your device’s security chain.

Physical inspection

Inspect packaging and the device for scratches, loose parts, or anything that feels off. If the tamper seal is broken or the device looks tampered with, contact the seller or Trezor support — do not proceed with seed generation.

What to look for in the package

• Device unit and USB cable
• Recovery seed cards or stickers (if included)
• Quickstart guide and authenticity card
• Original packaging and seals

Preparation: what you need before you start

Why not use cloud backups or screenshots?

Recovery seeds are the keys to your coins. Storing them in cloud drives, notes apps, or taking photos exposes them to theft. Physical backups — ideally a fireproof and waterproof metal backup — are the safest long-term option.

Step-by-step: Starting up your device

1. Visit the official start page

Open a supported browser and go to the official Trezor start page: https://trezor.io/start. Always verify the URL and look for HTTPS. Avoid clicking links from untrusted emails or messages.

2. Connect your Trezor

Plug the USB cable into the device and your computer. Modern Trezor devices will light up and display a welcome message. The web interface will usually detect the device and ask to install official bridge/firmware if needed.

3. Firmware & authenticity

The Trezor web app will prompt for firmware installation if necessary. Only proceed with firmware updates through the official interface. If prompted to install any third-party drivers or tools, decline unless you verified them via Trezor’s official channels.

4. Initialize device — new vs restore

You’ll be asked whether to create a new wallet (generate a new seed) or restore an existing wallet using an existing recovery phrase. Choose carefully:

• Create new — generates a brand new recovery seed (recommended if you’re setting up a new device).
• Recover wallet — enter a recovery seed you already own to restore funds from another wallet.

5. Generate seed & write it down

The device will display the recovery words. Read each word aloud and write them down in order on the supplied recovery card or another secure medium. Double-check spelling and order. Once you confirm that you recorded the phrase correctly, the device may ask you to verify random words to ensure the backup was copied accurately.

Seed best-practices (quick)

• Never store the seed digitally.
• Use at least one off-site copy in a separate secure location.
• Consider splitting backups (Shamir Backup) if your device supports it.
• Test your backup by doing a simulated restore on a spare Trezor or device emulator when convenient.

PIN & passphrase: two layers of protection

Set a PIN

Select a PIN you can remember but that isn’t obvious (avoid birthdays, simple sequences). The PIN protects your device even if stolen. Trezor devices use PIN scrambling so finger peeks are less effective, but choose a good length (6+ digits recommended).

Optional: passphrase (hidden wallet)

A passphrase is an additional word or phrase added to your seed to create a separate hidden wallet. It’s powerful — if you forget the passphrase you may permanently lose access. Use passphrases only if you understand the trade-offs and have a reliable secret management plan.

Connect to the Trezor web wallet

After initialization, connect to the official Trezor web wallet at https://trezor.io/start and follow the on-screen instructions to create or open accounts for Bitcoin, Ethereum, and other supported assets. Confirm addresses on the device display when sending and receiving.

Troubleshooting common issues

Device not detected

Try a different USB port or cable, reboot the computer, ensure no other wallet software is interfering, and confirm the browser has permission to access USB devices. If using Linux, check udev rules if necessary.

Firmware update fails

Do not interrupt a firmware update once started. If an update fails, follow official recovery instructions from Trezor. Keep calm and follow the official tool — attempting third-party recovery steps may worsen the situation.

Forgot PIN

If you forget your PIN and you have your recovery seed, you can safely factory-reset the device and restore from seed. Without the recovery seed, funds cannot be recovered. This is why secure backups are critical.

Advanced topics (for power users)

Shamir backups & multi-phrase recovery

Some Trezor models and firmware versions support Shamir Secret Sharing and other advanced backup strategies. These allow splitting the recovery into multiple pieces — useful for distributing risk across locations or trustees. Use them only if you fully understand how reconstruction works.

Using a passphrase with plausible deniability

Passphrases can create hidden accounts. The hidden wallet will only be accessible when the exact passphrase is entered. This can be used for plausible deniability, but it adds complexity and a single point of catastrophic failure: loss of the passphrase.

Cold storage & air-gapped setups

Advanced users may prefer offline signing or air-gapped setups. This often involves using a second machine that never connects to the internet or using PSBT workflows for Bitcoin. These setups are more secure but require disciplined operational procedures.

Maintenance & long-term care

Firmware updates

Keep firmware updated to get security patches and new features. Only update via the official Trezor website or recommended tools. Read release notes to understand changes.

Backup validation

Periodically validate your backup (e.g., on a spare device or test restore). Ensure your recovery storage remains intact and accessible when needed — people lose access due to physical damage, moving houses, or death in the family.

Emergency planning

Document emergency instructions for your heirs or trusted person without revealing secrets. Use a safe deposit box or a legal trust if your holdings are sizable and you want to be extra careful about inheritance.

FAQ — quick answers

Can I use my Trezor with mobile?

Yes — Trezor supports mobile integrations via supported wallets and OTG cables for some devices. Check official compatibility notes before attempting mobile connections.

Is the recovery phrase the only backup I need?

Technically, yes — the recovery phrase + any passphrase is all you need to reconstruct funds on a compatible wallet. But physically protecting that phrase and having trustworthy redundancy is essential.

What if I suspect malware on my computer?

Use a clean machine to verify transactions and addresses, or consider an air-gapped workflow for high-value transactions. Hardware wallets protect private keys, but malware can still trick you into sending funds to an attacker if you accept a spoofed address without checking the device display.

Final checklist: before you finish

• Device authenticity verified and firmware updated through official site.
• New recovery seed securely written down and stored offline.
• PIN set and tested, passphrase considered (and recorded securely if used).
• Receive an incoming small test transaction and confirm the device shows the same receiving address as the web wallet.
• Plan and implement backup redundancy and emergency instructions.

Closing thoughts

Setting up a Trezor properly is the most important moment of your hardware wallet ownership. Spend the time to do it right: verify, write your seed, store it safely, and adopt sensible operational security. When you follow these steps, your Trezor becomes a robust and private vault for your digital assets.