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

Introduction — Your First Step Toward Secure Crypto Ownership

The moment you unbox a Trezor hardware wallet—be it a Model One or a Model T—you’re holding a device designed to give you personal control over your digital assets. A hardware wallet like Trezor stores your private keys offline, meaning they never touch the internet or your computer’s hard drive. That simple fact dramatically reduces your risk of being hacked or having your funds stolen. But the benefits of true self‑custody only materialize if you set the device up correctly.

To guide you safely through this important process, Trezor has one official setup portal: https://trezor.io/start . Visiting this page and following its prompts is the only secure way to initialize your device—avoiding fake sites that aim to steal your seed phrase or credentials.

Chapter 1 — What You’ll Need Before You Begin

Before you start the official setup process, gather:

Your Trezor device (Model One or Model T).

The USB cable included with it.

A computer or laptop with a supported browser and internet connection (Windows, macOS, or Linux).

Pen/paper or the supplied recovery seed cards (never plan to save your seed digitally).

About 15–30 minutes of uninterrupted time.

Security tip: Choose a quiet, private location—do not set up your wallet while others watch or in public places.

Chapter 2 — Start at the Right Place: trezor.io/start

To begin:

Open your browser.

Manually type https://trezor.io/start into the address bar.

Confirm the padlock icon appears, showing a secure HTTPS connection.

Never click on links from email, forums, social media, or search engines that claim to help with setup—those could lead to phishing sites.

Once you’re on the official page, you’ll be shown options to download the software and begin the onboarding process.

Chapter 3 — Download Trezor Suite

The next step is to install Trezor Suite, the official application used for:

Initial device setup

Firmware updates

Sending and receiving crypto

Managing wallet accounts

On the start page, you’ll see download links for:

Windows

macOS

Linux

Choose the correct version for your system and install it.

📌 Some versions of the setup process allow you to use the web app, but installing the desktop app is generally more stable and feature‑complete.

Chapter 4 — Connect and Initialize Your Trezor

Now you’re ready to begin setup:

Plug your Trezor device into your computer using the supplied USB cable.

Trezor Suite should automatically detect the device.

If prompted, install the latest firmware — this ensures up‑to‑date security protections and correct functionality.

Important: Most brand‑new devices arrive without firmware installed to protect against tampering. Installing the authentic firmware through Trezor Suite verifies you’re using a legitimate device.

Chapter 5 — Create a New Wallet (or Restore One)

Once firmware installation is complete:

Choose “Create new wallet” if this is your first Trezor wallet.

If you already have a recovery seed and want to restore an existing wallet, choose the recover option instead.

Chapter 6 — Critical Step: Backup Your Recovery Seed

This is the most important phase of setup.

Your device will generate a recovery seed — a series of 12, 18, or 24 words.

Why It Matters

The recovery seed is effectively the master key to your wallet. If your Trezor is lost, damaged, or stolen, this seed is the only way to restore access to your funds.

Seed Safety Rules

✔ Write your words down on the card provided — don’t type them. ✔ Do not take photos or store seeds digitally — digital storage can be hacked or leaked. ✔ Never share your seed with anyone, including Trezor support or trusted friends. ✔ Consider using metal backup plates or multiple physical copies stored securely in different places.

Your wallet won’t let you move forward until you confirm the words in the correct order.

Chapter 7 — Set a Strong PIN

After backing up your recovery seed, you’ll be asked to create a PIN.

This number protects the device from unauthorized physical access.

Enter the PIN using the device itself—not your keyboard—to avoid keyloggers.

Avoid simple sequences or predictable combinations (e.g., 1234).

💡 After several incorrect PIN attempts, the device will wipe itself to protect your seed.

Chapter 8 — Optional Security Enhancements

Once basic setup is done, Trezor Suite lets you enable additional features:

Passphrase Protection

This adds a secret “25th word.” Only someone with this passphrase and your seed can access that hidden wallet.

Auto‑Lock and Privacy Settings

Set timeouts and privacy options like routing traffic through Tor for additional online anonymity.

While optional, these features can significantly improve security if used wisely.

Chapter 9 — Adding Crypto Accounts

With your wallet setup, you can start managing specific cryptocurrencies in Trezor Suite:

Bitcoin (BTC)

Ethereum (ETH)

Litecoin (LTC)

Cardano (ADA)

Many tokens and altcoins supported as well

Each asset gets its own account where you can view balances, transaction history, and managed settings.

Chapter 10 — Sending and Receiving Crypto Receiving Crypto

Select the account for the asset you want to receive.

Click Receive.

Confirm the receiving address displayed on your Trezor device matches what you see in the app.

Always confirm the address on the Trezor device itself—malware on a computer could tamper with the address shown on the screen.

Sending Crypto

Choose Send.

Enter the recipient address and fees.

Confirm details on the Trezor’s display before approving.

Trezor signs transactions internally, ensuring your private keys never leave the secure device.

Final Thoughts — A Secure Foundation for Your Crypto Journey

Using Trezor.io/Start® to set up your hardware wallet is more than just a checklist—it’s building a secure foundation for owning and managing cryptocurrency on your terms.

With the device properly set up:

✔ Your private keys stay offline. ✔ You’re protected from most forms of hacking, phishing, and malware. ✔ You remain in full control of your assets.

Crypto security starts with how you set up your wallet. Following the official flow at trezor.io/start and respecting the rules around seed protection and PIN creation ensures you’re not just connected—it’s safe.