Trezor Wallet Setup Guide

Your Journey to Self-Custody Starts Here

Welcome to the official setup guide for your new Trezor Wallet. This comprehensive walkthrough will guide you through every step, from unboxing to securing your first crypto assets. Follow these instructions carefully from trezor.io/start to ensure your digital wealth is protected with the highest level of security.

Before You Begin: Checklist

  • Your Trezor Device

    Ensure you have your new Trezor wallet (e.g., Trezor Safe 3, Trezor Model T).

  • Computer & USB Cable

    A desktop or laptop computer and the USB cable included in your Trezor box.

  • Recovery Seed Cards & Pen

    Have the provided recovery seed cards and a reliable pen ready. This is the most crucial part of the setup.

  • A Private, Undisturbed Environment

    Set aside 20-30 minutes where you will not be distracted. Your full attention is required for a secure setup.

The Official Setup Guide: Step-by-Step

1

Unbox and Verify the Seal

Carefully unbox your Trezor device. The most critical first step is to inspect the tamper-evident holographic seal on the USB port (Trezor Model T) or the box itself. This seal is your guarantee that the device has not been compromised during shipping.

CRITICAL: If the seal is broken, missing, or looks altered in any way, do not use the device. Contact Trezor support immediately. A compromised seal could mean the device's integrity is at risk.

2

Connect and Go to Trezor.io/Start

Connect your Trezor device to your computer using the provided USB cable. Open your web browser and navigate only to the official URL: https://trezor.io/start. This page will guide you to download Trezor Suite, the official application for managing your wallet.

Download and install Trezor Suite for your operating system (Windows, macOS, or Linux). This is the safest way to interact with your device, as it protects you from phishing websites.

3

Install Firmware

Once you open Trezor Suite, it will automatically detect your device. If your device is new, it will come without firmware installed. Trezor Suite will prompt you to install the latest official firmware. Confirm the action on your Trezor device's screen. This ensures your wallet has the most up-to-date security features from the very beginning.

4

Create a New Wallet

Trezor Suite will give you two options: "Create new wallet" or "Recover wallet". As this is a new device, select "Create new wallet". This will initiate the process of generating your unique master key, which is represented by your recovery seed.

5

The Sacred Task: Back Up Your Recovery Seed

This is the most important step in your entire crypto journey. Your Trezor device will now display a sequence of 12 words (for standard seed) one by one. This is your recovery seed. It is the one and only backup of your private keys.

EXTREME WARNING: HANDLE WITH CARE
  • Write It Down: Use a pen to clearly write each word, in the correct order, onto the provided recovery seed cards.
  • NEVER Digital: Do not take a photo, make a photocopy, or type your seed into any computer, phone, or password manager. Never store it online. Any digital copy is a target for hackers.
  • Guard It Forever: Anyone who finds your recovery seed can steal all your crypto. Store your written-down seed in a secure, private, and durable location (e.g., a safe).

Once you have written down all the words, your device will ask you to confirm a few of them to ensure your backup is correct. Double-check everything.

6

Set a Strong PIN

You will now be prompted to set a PIN for your device. The Trezor screen will show a 3x3 grid with numbers, while your computer screen shows a blank grid. Click the squares on your computer screen that correspond to the numbers shown on your Trezor. This method prevents keyloggers from stealing your PIN.

Choose a strong, non-obvious PIN (6-9 digits is recommended). You will need this PIN every time you connect your device.

7

Name Your Device

Give your Trezor a personalized name. This helps you identify it in Trezor Suite, which is especially useful if you plan on using multiple devices. The name is for convenience and does not affect security.

Congratulations! Your Trezor is Ready.

Your Trezor Wallet setup is complete! You have successfully created a secure, offline environment for your digital assets. You can now start receiving, sending, and managing your cryptocurrencies through Trezor Suite.

Security is an Ongoing Process

Bookmark Trezor Suite

To avoid phishing sites, bookmark the official Trezor Suite web interface: https://suite.trezor.io/web. Always double-check the URL.

Consider a Passphrase (Advanced)

For ultimate security, enable the Passphrase feature in Trezor Suite's settings. This acts as a 13th word for your seed, creating entirely new hidden wallets. Warning: If you forget your passphrase, the funds in that hidden wallet are lost forever.

Start with a Small Amount

Before transferring your life savings, send a small "test" transaction to your new Trezor wallet. Then, wipe the device and practice recovering it with your recovery seed to be 100% confident in your backup.

Stay Vigilant

Beware of unsolicited emails, messages, or fake "support" staff asking for your recovery seed. Trezor will NEVER ask for your recovery seed.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

There is no need to panic. Your crypto is not stored on the device itself; it is on the blockchain. Your recovery seed is the key. You can simply buy a new Trezor (or another compatible hardware wallet) and use your 12-word recovery seed to restore full access to all your funds. This is why protecting your seed is paramount.

The PIN protects your device from physical theft. Someone can't access your funds without knowing your PIN. The Passphrase is an advanced security feature that protects your recovery seed. It acts as a 13th word that, when combined with your 12-word seed, creates a completely new, hidden wallet. Even if someone steals your 12-word seed, they cannot access the funds in your passphrase-protected wallet without also knowing the passphrase.

Yes. While Trezor Suite is the recommended official software, your Trezor device is compatible with many third-party wallets like MetaMask, Exodus, Electrum, and others. This allows you to securely manage your assets across different platforms while your private keys never leave the safety of your Trezor device.

Trezor Suite will automatically notify you when a new firmware update is available. The update process is simple: connect your device, enter your PIN, and follow the on-screen instructions in Trezor Suite. You will need to confirm the update on the device itself. It's crucial to keep your firmware updated for the latest features and security patches.

Following the official trezor.io/start guide ensures you are downloading authentic software directly from the source. The crypto space is filled with scammers who create convincing fake websites to trick users into revealing their recovery seeds. By starting at the official URL and using Trezor Suite, you establish a secure foundation and significantly reduce your risk of falling victim to phishing attacks.