Welcome — Start Your Trézor® Device with Confidence

This guide walks you through starting your Trézor® hardware wallet using the official setup path. Whether you are unboxing a brand-new device or restoring from a seed, the process is designed to be secure and straightforward. The focus here is practical: what to do first, how to keep your private keys safe, and how to perform your first verified transaction. Follow each step carefully and treat your recovery seed as the single most important asset.

Why follow Trézor.io/Start®?

The official start flow provides verified firmware, clear device initialization, and explicit user prompts that minimize risk. Using the recommended procedure ensures you are installing only authentic software, creating a properly generated recovery seed, and verifying firmware updates when required. Avoid third-party shortcuts or downloads — a secure start eliminates many common attack vectors.

Tip: Always perform initial setup in a quiet, private place where you will not be observed or recorded. Treat your recovery seed like cash — if someone copies it, they can access your funds.

Unboxing and initial inspection

When your Trézor® device arrives, inspect packaging and tamper seals. A genuine package should look intact and include the device, a USB cable (or adapter), and seed backup cards. If seals appear broken or the packaging looks altered, stop and contact the vendor through verified channels before proceeding.

Remove the device and accessories carefully and keep the box and packing materials until setup is complete.
Check the model number and serial printed on the device matches any documentation provided.
Verify you received the standard seed backup material and instruction leaflet for creating a recovery.

Powering on and beginning setup

Connect the Trézor® device to a trusted computer using the supplied cable. Power is drawn via USB; some models support Bluetooth for mobile use — consult the included documentation. The device will boot and display initial prompts on its built-in screen; these prompts should always be confirmed on the device itself, not on your computer.

Connect the device and wait for the device welcome screen.
Follow the on-screen prompts to select language and begin setup.
Decide whether to create a new wallet or recover from an existing recovery seed.

Pro tip: For maximum security, use the desktop or official web setup environment on a patched machine that has no untrusted software installed.

Initializing a new device (create a new seed)

If you choose to create a new recovery seed, the device will generate a sequence of words (typically 12, 18, or 24 words depending on model and options). Write these words down in order on the provided backup cards immediately. Do not photograph, photograph, or copy the seed to a digital file.

When the device displays seed words, write them down exactly in order and on the official backup material.
After documenting the seed, the device may ask you to confirm a few randomly selected words — this verifies you recorded them correctly.
Store the written seed in at least one secure location; consider two geographically separated locations for redundancy.

Never enter your recovery seed into any computer or mobile device. The seed belongs on paper/metal and only on the hardware device during recovery operations.

Restoring an existing wallet (seed recovery)

To restore from an existing recovery seed, select the recover option and carefully enter each word using the device controls. Ensure spelling and order are exact — a single incorrect word can make recovery impossible.

Select 'Recover wallet' on the device and choose the seed length you used originally.
Type each word carefully when prompted, using the device buttons or touchscreen depending on model.
Confirm the recovery and allow the device to derive your accounts and addresses.

Setting a secure PIN

The device will prompt you to choose a PIN. This PIN prevents unauthorized access if the device is stolen. Pick a PIN that is not trivial but that you can remember — avoid obvious patterns. Do not store the PIN with your recovery seed.

Choose a PIN of reasonable length (6+ digits or as allowed by the model).
Avoid reusing PINs or passwords from other accounts.
If your device offers passphrase protection (a BIP39 passphrase), understand the implications carefully before enabling — a passphrase is an additional secret that acts like a 25th seed word.

Firmware updates and verification

After initial setup, the device or official suite may prompt you to install firmware updates. Firmware updates often contain security fixes and new features. Only apply updates using the device's official tools, and verify update prompts on the device's screen. Never install firmware from untrusted sources.

Confirm any firmware update through the device screen and on your computer; update only when you are sure the request is legitimate.
Do not disconnect the device during a firmware update. Wait until the device reports success.
After updating, the device will reboot and may require re-entering your PIN.

If a firmware update fails or the device becomes unresponsive, consult official recovery instructions and avoid experimenting with third-party tools.

Connecting to Trézor Suite or a compatible wallet

Use the official desktop or web application recommended by the vendor to add accounts and manage assets. When connecting, the application will request permission to access the device; always verify that the origin is correct and that the device displays expected information before approving requests.

Open the official management application and choose "Add account" for the cryptocurrency you want to manage.
The app will derive addresses from your device; compare the address shown in the app with the one shown on your device screen.
When sending transactions, review amounts and destination addresses on the device screen before signing.

Security best practices — an ongoing checklist

Keep your recovery seed offline in secure locations (consider metal backups for fire/water resistance).
Enable and use device PIN; never share it.
Verify every transaction on the device screen — the device is the single trusted source of truth.
Be cautious of phishing: type the wallet URL manually or use a bookmarked, verified address; do not follow links from unknown emails.
Limit the time the device is connected and unlocked on internet-connected machines.

Troubleshooting common startup issues

If your device is not detected, try a different USB cable and port, reboot your computer, and ensure any required bridge/helper software is running. If the device displays an unexpected screen or error, do not enter your recovery seed to "fix" it — contact official support following verified channels and provide non-sensitive diagnostic details.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Can I back up my seed digitally?

No. Storing a recovery seed digitally exposes it to malware and theft. Always use offline, physical backups.

What happens if I forget my PIN?

If you forget your PIN, you will need to reset the device and restore from your recovery seed. Keep the seed accessible in a secure place so you can recover funds.

Is passphrase protection necessary?

Passphrases add a powerful layer of security but increase complexity. Only enable them if you understand the consequences: losing the passphrase means losing access to assets derived with it.

Final words — owning responsibility

A hardware wallet like Trézor® significantly improves the security of your cryptocurrency holdings by keeping private keys offline and requiring physical confirmation for actions. That security is only as strong as the habits you adopt: safeguarding your recovery seed, verifying device prompts, and applying updates are all part of responsible custody. Take your time during setup, store your seed safely, and treat the device as the central trust anchor for your crypto.