Unbox & Inspect
Check tamper‑evident seals and confirm you received the device, cable, and recovery cards. If anything looks off, stop and contact official support.
Step‑by‑Step Wallet Setup
Follow these practical steps to initialize your device and secure your crypto. Keep your recovery seed offline and private at all times.
Plug In the Device
Use the original cable. On your computer, open an up‑to‑date Chromium‑based browser. Allow your OS to trust the USB device when prompted.
Open Trezor Suite (Desktop/Web)
Use the official download or web app. Avoid third‑party download sites. Keep your browser’s address bar and certificate details in view.
Verify & Update Firmware
Allow Suite to check authenticity, then update if needed. Verify the on‑device hash/prompts match your screen. Never disconnect mid‑update.
# Tip If prompted to install drivers, accept only vendor‑signed drivers. Always verify checksums and provenance of installation files.
Create Recovery Seed
Write the 12/24 words on the provided cards with permanent ink. Store in a water/fire‑resistant location. Never type the seed into a computer or phone.
Set a Strong PIN
Use 6–9 digits, avoid birthdates or patterns. Enable auto‑lock. Consider an optional passphrase after you’ve practiced restores.
Receive a Small Test Transaction
Generate a fresh receive address. Confirm the address on the device screen before sharing. Send a tiny amount first; wait for confirmations.
Organize Accounts
Use labels and multiple accounts per asset for organization. Keep spending and long‑term storage separate to reduce operational risk.
Dry‑Run a Restore
On a spare device or a safe test window, practice restoring from your seed (offline). This validates your backup before storing significant funds.
Security Checklist
Simple, high‑impact actions to protect your assets. Treat your recovery seed like the keys to a vault.
Device Authenticity: Only initialize using trusted links and verify certificates. If the browser shows a warning, stop.
Recovery Seed Storage: Keep the seed offline, split locations if appropriate, and consider a steel backup for durability.
Phishing Resistance: Confirm addresses and prompts on the hardware screen. The device is your source of truth.
Privacy: Prefer fresh addresses, avoid re‑use, and consider coin/account labeling that does not reveal identity.
Updates: Keep Suite and firmware current; read release notes and confirm on‑device instructions match your actions.
Helpful Tips
Quick Access
Ctrl+LFocus Address Bar
Ctrl+Shift+NNew Private Window
Use private browsing during setup and double‑check domain spelling before proceeding.
Passphrase Safety
Only add a passphrase if you can reliably back it up (separate from the seed). A forgotten passphrase makes funds unrecoverable.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this the official trezor.io/start?+
No. This is an independent educational page inspired by community best practices. Always verify domains and download sources.
What if I lose my device?+
Your recovery seed restores access on a new device. Keep the seed offline and private; never share it with anyone.
Can I view my addresses without the device?+
For maximum safety, confirm addresses on the hardware screen. Avoid exporting xpubs/public keys to untrusted systems.
Should I split funds across accounts?+
Yes—use multiple accounts to separate long‑term storage from spending and to simplify accounting and privacy.
Ready to set up your hardware wallet?
Follow the steps above and keep your recovery seed safe. Consider a test restore before moving significant funds.