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

1. Welcome & quick overview

Congratulations — you’ve got a Trezor® hardware wallet. The goal of this guide is to walk you, clearly and safely, through first-time setup, important handling rules for your wallet and recovery backup, firmware and the best day-to-day practices to keep your crypto secure.

1.1 What you’ll need

Before starting, have: the Trezor device box (verify it's sealed and untampered), a computer or mobile device with a modern browser, a secure desk area free from prying eyes, and a pen & paper (or the official Trezor backup card / metal backup).

1.1.1 Time & attention

Setup is short but critical — treat it like signing an important legal document. Follow on-screen instructions and never rush when writing your wallet backup. Test small transactions before migrating funds.

2. Step-by-step: first-time device start

Plug your Trezor into your computer or mobile device and go to the official start page to begin the guided setup. The process verifies the device, installs firmware, creates a new wallet, sets a PIN, and generates a recovery backup. Follow the on-screen prompts exactly and never skip the device authenticity checks.

2.1 Install firmware & Trezor Suite

When your device is brand new it may need firmware installed. Use the official Trezor interface (Trezor Suite or the Start page) to install the latest firmware — the device itself will show and confirm the update steps.

2.1.1 Why firmware matters

Firmware keeps the device secure and fixes problems — always install official firmware only via the official Trezor tools.

3. Handling your recovery (seed / wallet backup)

The recovery backup (sometimes called “seed” or “wallet backup”) is the single most important artifact for ownership of your funds. Treat it like the keys to a safe deposit box: keep it offline, secret, and multiple copies in secure, geographically separated places.

3.1 Do’s and don’ts

Do write the backup by hand on secure paper or use a metal backup tool;
Don’t store your recovery words digitally (no photos, no cloud storage, no email, no password managers);
Do consider using a metal backup (for fire/water resistance) if you want a long-lasting copy;
Don’t share your seed with anyone or enter it into any app or website.

3.1.1 Passphrase & advanced backups

If you use a passphrase (optional), that passphrase becomes a part of your wallet’s security model — losing the passphrase can make funds irrecoverable. Use a passphrase only if you understand the operational responsibility it adds.

4. Operational security: daily habits

Use a strong device PIN, verify every transaction on the device screen (not just the computer), avoid public Wi-Fi when transacting, and keep software (Trezor Suite and OS) up to date.

4.1 Transaction verification

Always check the receiving address on your Trezor display and ensure it matches what your wallet UI shows. Attackers can try to trick you with spoofed addresses — the device display is the final authority.

4.1.1 Test with small amounts

When moving funds for the first time, send a small test amount first and confirm that you can view and control it before transferring larger balances.

5. Troubleshooting & support

If you see unexpected prompts, have firmware update problems, or suspect device tampering, stop and consult official support resources. Do not enter recovery words into any web form or third-party instructions.

5.1 Lost device or lost backup?

A lost device can be recovered with a correct backup; a lost backup (without passphrase) risks permanent loss. Consider SLIP-0039 / multisig / Shamir backups for higher resilience if you need enterprise-level recovery strategies.

6. Advanced: metal backups & multi-location storage

For long-term, high-value holdings, use a metal backup plate (indestructible storage) and store copies in secure, geographically separated locations (e.g., a safe and a bank safe deposit box). Think through legal and inheritance arrangements to ensure your heirs can access funds if needed.

6.1 Inheritance & legal planning

Document procedures and who holds access while balancing need-to-know — avoid placing full backup details in wills that may be public during probate. Consult a legal advisor experienced in digital-asset estate planning.