Trezor.io/Start® — Start Your Device Security

A practical 1,000-word guide to get your Trezor hardware wallet set up safely: unboxing, companion app install, initialization, PIN & recovery handling, passphrase use, backups, operational security and quick troubleshooting.

Why hardware wallets (and Trezor)?

Hardware wallets store your private keys offline inside a secure device. They keep signing isolated from everyday computers and phones, drastically reducing risk from malware, phishing, and remote theft. Trezor devices are designed to provide a simple, auditable user flow for generating keys, backing them up, and signing transactions securely.

Unboxing and inspection

When your Trezor arrives, inspect packaging for tamper evidence and confirm accessories: the device, a USB cable, recovery cards, and quick-start material. If packaging is damaged, do not use the device — contact the vendor. Keep the box until setup is complete and you have secure backups.

Prepare your environment

Use a trusted personal computer or mobile device with the latest OS updates. Avoid public or shared machines for initial setup. Gather a pen and the recovery card (or a metal backup solution) and work in a quiet, distraction-free space.

Tip: For highest assurance use a freshly installed OS or a dedicated machine for critical key operations.

Install the official companion app

Trezor uses official companion software (such as Trezor Suite). Download only from the manufacturer’s official channels and verify any checksums/signatures if offered. Install and open the app before connecting the device; the app will guide you through the rest of the steps.

Initialize your device — create or restore

On first connection the app will offer two choices: Create new device or Recover wallet. For a new wallet, follow prompts to set a PIN and generate a recovery seed on-device.

  1. Power on the device and follow on-screen prompts to create a new wallet.
  2. Choose a secure PIN (use the device’s randomized keypad if present).
  3. Write the recovery words exactly as shown, in order, on the supplied card — do not store them digitally.
  4. Confirm the words when prompted by the device/app.
Warning: Never type or photograph your recovery seed. Anyone with the seed controls your funds.

Understanding the recovery seed and passphrase

The recovery seed (commonly 12 or 24 words) is the master backup for your wallet. Keep it offline and secure. Trezor also supports an optional passphrase that derives an additional hidden wallet. Passphrases add privacy and plausible deniability but increase operational complexity — losing a passphrase means irreversible loss of that hidden wallet's funds.

Only enable a passphrase if you have a clear, tested plan for secure storage and recovery.

Backups — durable storage strategies

Backup your seed in at least one durable offline form. Options (most to least durable):

  • Metal backup — steel plates that survive fire and water.
  • Paper copies — high-quality paper in a safe or deposit box.
  • Secret sharing — split seed into shares with threshold recovery (advanced).
Avoid storing seeds in digital form (photos, cloud, text files). Digital copies are frequent attack vectors.

Daily operations — receiving and sending safely

Receiving

Request a receiving address from the companion app and always verify the full address on your Trezor device screen before sharing it. This prevents host-side malware from substituting addresses.

Sending

When sending, the app prepares the transaction but your device must display and confirm the destination address, amount, and fee. Confirm every detail on the device; if anything is unexpected, cancel and investigate.

Operational security (OPSEC) best practices

  • Keep your computer updated and use reputable anti-malware where appropriate.
  • Use a small hot wallet for daily spending; keep the majority in cold storage.
  • Limit who knows about your holdings and backup locations.
  • Practice recovery drills: restore a test wallet on a spare device to verify your backups.

Troubleshooting — quick fixes

  • Device not detected: try a different USB cable/port and ensure the device is unlocked.
  • Firmware update fails: reconnect and follow the official recovery steps provided by the companion app.
  • Forgot PIN: the device must be wiped and restored from the seed — only proceed if the seed is secure.
  • Restore issues: double-check spelling/order and include the passphrase if used.

Final checklist before moving large amounts

  1. Device inspected and genuine.
  2. Companion app installed from official source and updated.
  3. PIN set and memorized; seed written and backed up securely.
  4. Optional passphrase decision made and backed up if used.
  5. Small inbound/outbound test transactions completed successfully.