Trezor Start — Secure setup and first steps

What this guide covers

This page explains the essentials you need to safely initialize a Trezor device, create and protect your recovery seed, connect to software wallets, and adopt habits that reduce long-term risk. It focuses on practical steps and decisions you will actually make during the first session.

Before you start

Take a moment to prepare: a clean workspace, a reliable power source, and a pen and paper (or metal backup) to record the recovery seed are all you need.

• Unbox in a quiet place and inspect for tamper evidence.
• Use the cable included with the device — avoid unknown adapters.
• Ensure your computer is up-to-date and free of obvious malware.

Step 1 — Power & connect

Connect your Trezor to your computer or phone using the supplied cable. The device will power on and display a welcome screen. Only proceed if the device screen shows a Trezor logo and a prompt; avoid following instructions delivered only through the host computer.

Step 2 — Firmware & official website

Always use the official Trezor start flow at trezor.io/start. The website will detect your device and, if necessary, prompt firmware installation. Do not install firmware from third-party sources. If the device requests a firmware installation, verify the fingerprint on the device when prompted.

Step 3 — Create a new wallet

Choose Create new when offered. The Trezor will generate a random recovery seed — usually 12 or 24 words — directly on the device screen. Write each word down carefully in order, on a physical medium.

• Do not take photos of the seed.
• Do not store it in cloud services or text files.
• Consider a metal backup for long-term resilience to fire/water.

Step 4 — Confirm the seed

The device will ask you to confirm selected words. This ensures the seed was noted correctly. If you make a mistake, reset and start again rather than using an incorrect record.

If you ever suspect your seed may have been exposed, treat the device as compromised: create a new wallet with a fresh seed and move funds.

Step 5 — PIN and device label

Set a PIN on the device when prompted. The PIN protects the device from physical access. Choose a PIN you can remember but that’s not easily guessable. Trezor uses PIN entry randomized on-screen, so keyloggers on the host computer cannot reliably capture it.

Label the device in software so you can distinguish multiple wallets (e.g., “Main Savings” or “Test Wallet”). Labels do not affect security — they are for convenience.

Step 6 — Connect a software wallet

Trezor works with multiple companion apps and wallet interfaces. The web flow will recommend official and verified integrations. When connecting, confirm transaction details on the device screen before approving — this guarantees the host cannot silently alter the destination or amounts.

Practical security habits

• Backup: Store at least one copy of your recovery seed in a physically secure, geographically separate location.
• Phishing: Always visit the official domain and bookmark it; phishing sites may look similar but will try to collect your seed or credentials.
• Software hygiene: Keep your apps and OS patched; use reputable anti-malware where appropriate.
• Small test transfers: When using a new integration, send a small test amount first to verify addresses and behavior.

On advanced options

Advanced users can enable passphrases, create multiple accounts, and use dedicated multisig arrangements. A passphrase adds an extra word to your seed and creates distinct hidden wallets; it is powerful but also a single point of failure — if you forget it, the wallet cannot be recovered from the seed alone.

Troubleshooting & recovery

If your device is lost or stolen, your funds are recoverable using the recovery seed on a new Trezor or compatible wallet. If you suspect the seed was exposed, move funds to a fresh wallet and create a new seed. If firmware or device behavior seems wrong, consult the official support channels only.