Welcome! This is your official guide to securely setting up your Trezor hardware wallet via Trezor.io/Start. Follow these steps carefully — your crypto‑assets depend on it. 🔐
The Trezor.io/Start page is the only safe, trusted source for the firmware, software, and setup instructions for your Trezor device. It helps you avoid phishing, fake software, or malicious third‑party guides. Always type the URL manually, never follow random links.
⚠️ If your device came with a pre‑written recovery phrase or was already initialized, **do not use it** — it may have been compromised.
https://trezor.io/startOpen your browser (make sure no extensions that might alter content are active), and manually enter trezor.io/start. Ensure you see a valid SSL lock icon and the correct domain. Do not click on suspicious links or ads claiming to be Trezor.
Choose the model of your Trezor (e.g. Model One or Model T). The instructions and recovery seed length will adjust accordingly.
From the Start page, download the official **Trezor Suite** for your operating system. This is the desktop app you’ll use to manage your wallet, update firmware, and make transactions.
Plug your Trezor into your computer using the USB cable. The Suite will detect it and may prompt you to install firmware (if the device is new or if updates are needed). This step ensures the device is running secure, signed code.
Tip: Firmware is cryptographically signed by Trezor — the Suite checks this automatically.
Inside Trezor Suite, choose between:
If creating new, your device will generate a **12‑ or 24‑word recovery phrase** (depending on model). Carefully write each word **in order** on the provided backup card. Do not take photos or store them digitally.
Trezor will ask you to confirm a few of the seed words to ensure you’ve copied them correctly. This helps prevent irreversible mistakes.
Choose a PIN (4–9 digits) using the on‑device interface. This PIN locks the device — after several incorrect attempts, the Trezor will reset to factory defaults. Avoid patterns like 1234 or repeating digits.
For advanced users: activating a passphrase provides an extra layer of security by turning your seed into a 25th “secret word.” It allows you to create hidden wallets for plausible deniability. Use this only if you understand the tradeoffs.
After setup, open Trezor Suite. You can add accounts (BTC, ETH, etc.), view your balances, send & receive crypto, and manage settings. All transactions must be confirmed on the device itself, never purely via software.
trezor.io/start, select “Recover Wallet.”How Hardware Wallets Work: A hardware wallet like Trezor keeps your private keys offline (in “cold storage”) so that even if your computer is compromised, your private keys never leave the device. When you want to sign a transaction, the details are sent to the device, you confirm manually, and it signs internally. Only the signed transaction is sent out.
Why Not Use a Software Wallet? Software wallets (mobile, browser, desktop) are exposed to malware, keyloggers, and online attacks. Trezor mitigates that by isolating sensitive operations on the hardware device itself.
Hidden Wallets & Passphrases: Using a passphrase adds complexity and risk (you must remember it), but also gives you a hidden wallet that cannot be accessed without the correct passphrase. Use only if you fully understand it.
Community Lesson: “NEVER TYPE YOUR 24 (or 12 or 18) words … never enter your phrase directly into any of them [a computer or phone].” — advice echoed by hardware wallet users. :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}
trezor.io/start and pick your modelIf at any point the device shows a recovery phrase before setup, or the holographic seal is broken, stop and contact Trezor support. The device may be compromised.
For official guides, troubleshooting, or firmware verifications, always refer to Trezor’s official resources (never unverified third-party sites).