Trezor.io/Start
Welcome — set up your Trezor securely
This step-by-step guide walks you through unboxing, initializing, securing, and using your Trezor device. Follow these official instructions to ensure an uncompromised, reproducible setup that protects your private keys and recovery seed.
Quick start — 6 essential steps
Buy only from official channels. Inspect the tamper-evident seal and packaging. Do not use the device if packaging is visibly altered.
Connect the device to your computer or phone using the included USB cable. Use the official Trezor Suite app (desktop or web) for the setup flow.
Create a new wallet on-device. The device will generate a seed phrase; record it by hand on the provided recovery card. Do not photograph or store digitally.
Choose a PIN for physical access and optionally enable a passphrase for plausible deniability and additional security.
Confirm your recovery phrase by following the device prompts. Consider Shamir-splitting for enterprise-level redundancy.
Install the latest signed firmware through Trezor Suite and verify the signature to ensure authenticity.
Detailed setup (step-by-step)
Follow this expanded walkthrough if you want a full, reproducible setup that you can audit or hand to a security team. Each step includes practical tips and the exact UI prompts to expect in Trezor Suite.
1. Inspect & authenticate
Before connecting the device, inspect the packaging and tamper seals. Cross-check the device serial number and package contents against your official order confirmation. If anything seems off, return the device and contact support.
2. Install Trezor Suite
Download the official Trezor Suite from the Trezor website. Prefer the desktop app for frequent use; the web suite offers quick access. Always verify the downloaded installer using checksums when available.
3. Initialize & generate seed
Open Trezor Suite and follow the "Create new wallet" flow. The device will display each seed word — write them down on the recovery card in order. The device will later ask you to confirm some words to ensure accuracy.
4. PIN & passphrase
Set a PIN when prompted. The PIN protects the device from physical access. Optionally, enable a passphrase for an extra secret layer; remember that losing the passphrase means losing access to funds tied to it.
5. Firmware updates & verification
If an update is available, Trezor Suite will download the signed firmware and prompt you to install. Confirm the fingerprint displayed to ensure the firmware signature matches the official release.
Troubleshooting & support
Common issues
- Device not recognized — try a different cable/port and ensure drivers are installed.
- Setup loop — clear browser cache or use the desktop app, check USB permissions.
- Seed mismatch — carefully re-check the written words and reorder if necessary.
When to contact support
If you suspect tampering, firmware integrity issues, or hardware malfunction, contact official support immediately and avoid using the device for production funds until resolved.
Advanced options
Shamir Backup
Split your recovery into multiple shares so that a subset is required to reconstruct the seed. Useful for enterprise and family custody models.
Passphrase-protected hidden wallets
Enable hidden wallets to create plausible deniability. Each passphrase unlocks a different wallet on the same device.
Multisig & integrations
Combine multiple hardware keys or services to require multiple signatures for high-value transactions. Integrates with multisig wallets and HSM workflows.
FAQ
Can I set up without internet?
Yes. The device generates the seed offline. Use Trezor Suite on an air-gapped computer to minimize exposure and transfer signed transactions via QR codes if supported.
Is photographing my seed safe?
No. Digital copies are susceptible to theft and should never be used. Always write seeds on durable, offline media.
What if I forget my PIN?
If you forget the PIN, you must perform a device reset and restore from your recovery seed. This underscores the importance of secure seed backups.