Congratulations on your new Trezor® hardware wallet!
Your secure setup begins at: Trezor.io/start
You've taken a crucial step toward securing your cryptocurrency assets. This guide will help you properly set up your Trezor® device to ensure maximum security for your digital wealth.
Your Trezor® hardware wallet represents the gold standard in cryptocurrency security. Unlike software wallets or exchange accounts, Trezor® keeps your private keys completely isolated from internet-connected devices, providing protection against remote hacking attempts.
However, this superior security depends entirely on proper initial setup. Following the official guide at Trezor.io/start ensures you don't make critical mistakes that could compromise your wallet's security.
SECURITY WARNING:
Never use unofficial setup guides or third-party applications to initialize your Trezor® device. Always begin at the official Trezor.io/start URL to avoid phishing attempts and ensure genuine firmware installation.
Using the provided USB cable, connect your Trezor® to your computer. Visit Trezor.io/start in your browser to begin the setup wizard.
The setup wizard will prompt you to install Trezor® Bridge - a communication tool that allows your browser to securely interact with your hardware wallet. This is a critical security component.
Your Trezor® will guide you through the initialization process. You'll be prompted to install the latest firmware, which contains essential security updates and features.
Choose between creating a new wallet or recovering an existing one. For new users, select "Create new wallet" to generate a unique set of cryptographic keys.
This is the most critical security step. Your Trezor® will generate a 12, 18, or 24-word recovery seed. Write these words down in exact order on the provided recovery card and store it in a secure location, never digitally.
Create a secure PIN to protect physical access to your device. The unique matrix system ensures your PIN cannot be captured by keyloggers.
Private keys never leave your Trezor® device. All signing operations happen in the secure element, completely isolated from your computer or smartphone.
Your PIN is entered using the randomized matrix display, preventing keyloggers from capturing your credentials. The device wipes after 16 incorrect attempts.
Your 12-24 word recovery seed is the master key to your wallet. It can restore access to your funds on any compatible wallet if your device is lost, stolen, or damaged.
Each time you connect your Trezor®, it verifies the integrity of its firmware, ensuring it hasn't been tampered with by malicious actors.
For advanced security, you can enable a passphrase that creates a hidden wallet. This provides protection even if your recovery seed is compromised.
Trezor® firmware and software are open source, allowing security experts worldwide to audit the code for potential vulnerabilities.
This is the most catastrophic mistake a new user can make. Without your recovery seed, any damage, loss, or malfunction of your Trezor® device means permanent loss of all your cryptocurrency assets.
Never store your recovery seed on any digital device - no photos, cloud storage, or text files. The only secure method is physically writing it on the provided card and storing it in a safe place.
Always begin at the official Trezor.io/start URL. Phishing sites with similar URLs are designed to steal your recovery seed during setup.
Set aside adequate time (30-45 minutes) for the complete setup process. Rushing increases the likelihood of errors that could compromise security.
While the matrix entry protects against keyloggers, you should still choose a PIN that wouldn't be easily guessed by someone with physical access to your device.
Once your Trezor® is properly configured through Trezor.io/start, you can:
Download the official Trezor Suite application for desktop to manage your cryptocurrency portfolio with an enhanced interface and additional features.
Trezor® supports hundreds of cryptocurrencies. Use Trezor Suite to discover which assets you can secure with your device.
Before transferring significant assets, practice recovering your wallet using your seed phrase to ensure you've recorded it correctly.
Consider activating advanced features like passphrase protection for hidden wallets or Shamir Backup for distributed seed storage.
If you encounter problems during setup at Trezor.io/start:
Try a different USB cable and port. Some cheap charging cables don't support data transfer. Ensure Trezor Bridge is properly installed.
Use Chrome, Firefox, or Brave for the best compatibility. Clear your cache or try a different browser if experiencing issues.
Ensure stable internet connection during firmware installation. Don't disconnect your device until the process is complete.
Try reinstalling Trezor Bridge. On Windows, check Device Manager for unrecognized devices that may need driver updates.