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

Before you begin

Prepare a clean, trusted computer and a physical place to store your recovery seed. Avoid public or shared computers for initial setup. Have the included USB cable and the device box at hand and make sure you downloaded Trezor Suite from the official Trezor website (trezor.io) — do not follow links in unsolicited emails.

Unboxing & device inspection

1. Inspect the packaging for tamper evidence. If the seal is broken or packaging is damaged, contact support before proceeding.
2. Verify the device model printed on the box matches what you ordered.
3. Keep the box and accessories until setup is complete in case you need to compare serial numbers or ask for support.

Note: Purchasing devices from unauthorized third parties can pose tampering risk. Always buy from official stores or authorized resellers.

Install Trezor Suite

Download the official Trezor Suite application for your operating system from trezor.io/start. Verify the download if checksums or signed installers are provided. Install and launch the Suite — the app will guide you through connecting your device for the first time.

Connect and initialize

1. Connect your Trezor to the computer with the supplied cable. The device will display a welcome message and a fingerprint or model identifier.
2. Follow Trezor Suite prompts: choose "Create new wallet" if this is a new device, or "Recover wallet" if restoring from an existing recovery phrase.
3. The device may request a firmware update during initialization. Apply firmware only through Trezor Suite — the device verifies update signatures to ensure authenticity.

During initialization the device generates your recovery seed and displays it word-by-word. Write each word on the provided recovery card in the exact order shown. Do not store this seed digitally or photograph it.

Creating and protecting your recovery seed

The recovery seed (usually 12, 18, or 24 words) is the master backup for all wallets derived from the device. Protect it as the single most critical secret:

• Write the seed on paper and consider a metal backup for fire and water resistance.
• Store backups in multiple secure locations (e.g., home safe, safety deposit box) to avoid a single point of failure.
• Test a restore on a spare device in a secure environment to confirm you recorded the seed correctly.
• Never enter your seed into a computer or mobile device unless performing a legitimate restore on a secure device.

Set a PIN and optional passphrase

During setup the device will ask you to choose a PIN. Choose a PIN that is memorable but not easily guessable. The PIN protects the device from casual physical access. Optionally enable a passphrase for an additional hidden wallet; note that a passphrase is a separate secret — losing it will make that hidden wallet unrecoverable even with the seed.

Firmware updates and verification

Firmware updates fix vulnerabilities and add features. Trezor devices verify the cryptographic signature of firmware before installing. Only update firmware through Trezor Suite and ensure the process completes without interruption. If an update fails or the device behaves unexpectedly, discontinue use and contact official support for guidance.

Adding accounts and coin support

After initialization, add accounts in Trezor Suite for the chains and tokens you want to manage (Bitcoin, Ethereum, etc.). Some tokens may require third-party integrations; follow Suite’s guidance and only enable integrations from reputable sources. Each account you add corresponds to addresses derived from your recovery seed and displayed by the Suite for viewing and transaction construction.

First transaction: test and confirm

1. To test, send a small amount of crypto to your new Trezor address. In Suite, click Receive and copy the address shown.
2. Always compare the receiving address shown in Suite with the address displayed on your Trezor device — the device display is the authoritative source.
3. After receiving funds, create a small outgoing transaction and confirm the transaction details on-device before approving the signature.

Testing ensures your setup is correct before migrating larger balances.

Common setup problems & fixes

• Device not detected: Try a different USB cable or port; ensure drivers and OS permissions are correct.
• Missing firmware prompt: Re-launch Trezor Suite and reconnect the device. Only follow firmware prompts from the official Suite.
• Seed restore issues: Verify spelling and word order carefully; use the device’s built-in restore flow rather than third-party tools.

Maintain secure habits

Once your device is set up, practice safe habits: keep backups offline, avoid reusing addresses across unrelated services, verify addresses on the device display, and keep Suite and firmware updated. Be vigilant against phishing and never disclose your recovery seed or PIN to anyone — legitimate support will never ask for them.

Where to get help

If you encounter unusual behavior, suspected tampering, or errors you cannot resolve, consult the official Trezor support center and knowledge base. Provide only non-sensitive diagnostic details when contacting support and follow official guidance for device verification and potential replacement.