A practical, step-by-step guide to getting your Trezor hardware wallet up and running securely. Clear instructions, best practices, and answers to frequently asked questions.
Cryptocurrency private keys are the golden keys to your digital assets. When those keys are stored on a hardware wallet like a Trezor device, they never leave the secure element inside the device. That means even if your computer is compromised, your private keys remain offline and safe.
Improved long-term custody, physical confirmation of transactions, and stronger protection against common attack vectors.
Open a modern browser and go to the official setup page: trezor.io/start. This page guides you to the latest Trezor Suite or web-based onboarding flow.
Plug your device into the computer using the supplied cable. Wait for the device screen to show a welcome prompt. Never enter your recovery seed into a computer or a website.
Trezor offers the Trezor Suite desktop app and a secure web-based setup. Use the option presented on trezor.io/start, and confirm downloads come from the official Trezor domain.
Follow on-screen prompts to initialize as a new device. Choose whether to create a new recovery seed (recommended) or recover an existing one.
The device will generate a recovery seed (usually 12, 18, or 24 words). Write these words on paper or engrave them on a metal backup plate. Store the backup securely offline — consider splitting across multiple safe locations for redundancy.
Choose a PIN to protect device access. Optionally, enable a passphrase (sometimes called a 25th word) for added security; be aware that losing the passphrase means losing access to funds stored under that hidden wallet.
If prompted, update the device firmware using the official tools. Firmware updates often include security improvements; only apply updates using the official Trezor channel.
Every outgoing transaction must be reviewed and confirmed on the device screen — a crucial safeguard that prevents remote attackers from sending funds without your physical approval.
Never store your recovery seed online (photos, cloud storage, email). Use fireproof/waterproof solutions if possible.
No legitimate support will ever ask for your recovery seed. If someone requests it, treat it as a scam.
Before transferring large amounts, send a small test transaction to ensure everything works and you understand the workflow.
A passphrase offers strong privacy and security improvements but adds complexity. Record the passphrase securely — losing it means losing funds in that hidden wallet.
Trezor devices can be used in multi-signature configurations for institutional-grade security. Consider this if you manage high-value holdings.
Distributing funds across multiple devices and backups reduces single-point-of-failure risks.
Consider bank safety deposit boxes, dedicated home safes, or multiple geographically separated locations for long-term backup storage.
These links point to official Trezor pages — use them for downloads, support, and security notices. Colored buttons above make them easy to spot.
Always verify the URL and SSL certificate. Bookmark the official start page and avoid searching for "Trezor setup" which may surface malicious copycats.
Writing the seed once and leaving it in a desk drawer is risky. Use a robust, split-storage plan and consider metal backup plates for durability.
Do not photograph or store digital copies of your recovery seed. Photos are easily exfiltrated.