This presentation-style guide walks you through a clean, safe, and repeatable process for getting a new Trezor® hardware wallet ready for use. It’s formatted with clear headings (h1–h5
), concise steps, and safety tips so you can move from unboxing to first transaction with confidence. Bookmark the official start page and only follow links you trust.
A hardware wallet isolates your private keys from the internet. Trezor® devices (such as Model T and Safe 3) provide a secure screen and buttons so sensitive operations happen on-device. The initial setup creates your recovery seed and configures protections like a PIN and optional passphrase. Done right, it dramatically reduces the risk of phishing, malware, and accidental loss.
Always begin at the official setup hub: trezor.io/start. Type the URL yourself or use a trusted bookmark instead of search results.
Plug in your device via the supplied cable. From trezor.io/start, install Trezor Suite (desktop is recommended). Launch the app; it will detect your device and suggest any needed firmware.
If prompted, allow the firmware update. Keep the device connected and don’t interrupt power. After the device restarts, re-open Suite if necessary.
Choose Create new wallet in Suite and confirm on the device. The device will generate your recovery seed (usually 12, 18, or 24 words).
Create a unique PIN on the device. Avoid birthdays or repeated digits. This protects the wallet if the device is lost or stolen.
A passphrase adds another secret that must be entered to access a specific wallet. Losing it means losing access to that wallet, so use only if you fully understand the trade‑offs. Store it safely and separately from the seed.
In Suite, add accounts for the coins you plan to use. Click Receive to generate an address and verify the address on the device screen before sharing it. Copy/paste only after confirming it matches.
Send a tiny amount first. After it arrives and confirms, you can transfer larger amounts with more confidence.
Bookmark trezor.io/start and the Trezor Suite download page. Be suspicious of ads, emails, or pop‑ups that ask for your seed or to install unknown software.
For receiving addresses and transaction details, trust the device screen—not just your computer. If the device display doesn’t match, cancel immediately.
Consider a fire/flood‑resistant backup for your seed. Store copies in separate locations and periodically check legibility.
If you suspect compromise, move funds to a new wallet created on a trusted device, then securely wipe the old one.
To restore an existing wallet, choose Recover wallet in Suite and enter seed words on the device. Never type seed words on your computer.
Use only official resources. Below are ten direct links to the same verified start page for redundancy and quick bookmarking.