Starting™ Up Your Trezor Device — clear, colourful, official

Welcome to Trezor.io/Start®. This page is a complete, friendly, and secure guide to starting up your Trezor hardware wallet and pairing it with the Trezor Suite app. It covers unboxing checks, step-by-step setup, security habits, advanced recommendations, and resources you can rely on. Follow these instructions to keep your crypto safe and accessible.

Complete setup — 12 thoughtful steps

We expanded the usual checklist into twelve clear steps. Each step describes what to do, why it matters, and a practical safety note. This section is intentionally detailed — expect to spend 20–40 minutes the first time you set up a device if you follow everything carefully.

1. Buy from official channels

Only purchase from trezor.io or authorized resellers. Counterfeit or tampered devices present an unrecoverable risk.

2. Inspect packaging

Check for tamper-evident seals, factory stickers, and intact documentation. If anything seems altered, stop and contact official support.

3. Download Trezor Suite

Go to Trezor.io/start to download the desktop app or use the web app (Chromium-based). Prefer the desktop app for long-term use and reproducible-build verification if you require the highest assurance.

4. Verify installer

If you want extra assurance, verify the download checksum and compare it with the official fingerprint on Trezor.io. This prevents man-in-the-middle substitution.

5. Connect your device

Use the supplied cable. When the Suite detects the device, it will offer initialization (new wallet) or restoration (seed). Proceed with the intended option.

6. Create a PIN

Set a PIN directly on the device using its buttons — not in the app. The PIN protects against unauthorized local access and is a first line of defence if the device is lost or stolen.

7. Record your recovery seed

Trezor will show a 12- or 24-word recovery phrase. Write it down carefully on the official card or use a metal backup plate. Never store the seed in a photo, a cloud file, or a password manager.

8. Confirm and test seed

Suite often asks you to confirm seed words to ensure you copied them correctly. Treat this process as a verification step — the only reliable backup of your funds.

9. Install firmware

If prompted, allow Suite to install official firmware. Firmware updates include security patches; Suite verifies signatures so you can proceed safely.

10. Add accounts

Add Bitcoin, Ethereum, and other coin accounts. Label accounts (e.g., 'cold-savings', 'spend') to avoid accidental transfers between purposes.

11. Perform a small test

Send a small test transaction to your new receiving address. Verify the receiving address on the device display before sharing it externally.

12. Optional: set passphrase

You may add a passphrase to create hidden wallets. This provides an extra privacy/security layer but requires careful backup and recall of the passphrase.

Unified, human-first Suite

A single dashboard for accounts, assets and activity. Price charts, alerts, exportable transaction history and a streamlined buy/swap flow make everyday custody practical.

Hardware-backed approvals

Private keys remain isolated on the device. All critical actions require physical approval on the Trezor screen — the most reliable protection against remote compromise.

Open-source & auditable

Trezor components are open-source so independent security researchers can review code and builds. Reproducible build artifacts are provided for added transparency.

Everyday security habits that matter

Protecting crypto is mostly about doing a few small things consistently. These best practices address the biggest, most common risks.

  • Never disclose your seed or PIN. No official support or service will request them.
  • Verify addresses on-device. Confirm recipient addresses and amounts on the Trezor display — this defeats host-based malware.
  • Use offline backups. Store backup seeds in multiple secure physical locations; metal backups improve durability.
  • Keep software and firmware updated. Official updates patch vulnerabilities; only install updates from Suite with verified signatures.
  • Segregate funds. Use different accounts for savings and regular spending to limit exposure in case of user error.

FAQ — short, clear answers

Is Trezor Suite free?

Yes — the Suite app is free to download and use. Network fees apply for on-chain transactions, and third-party partners may charge for buy/swap services.

Can I recover my wallet if I lose the device?

Yes — restore using your recovery seed on a new Trezor or compatible wallet. If you lose both seed and device, funds cannot be recovered.

Which platforms are supported?

Official Suite is available for Windows, macOS and Linux. A web app is supported on Chromium-based browsers for quick access.

Where can I verify downloads?

Checksums, PGP fingerprints and reproducible build instructions are available on Trezor.io/start so you can verify installers before running them.