Trezor — Start

A concise, secure walkthrough to get your Trezor hardware wallet up and running — initialize, back up, transact, and protect your keys.

Quick Start — 5 minutes to secure ownership

This guide covers what matters: secure unboxing, initializing your device, writing down your recovery seed, and first transactions. Keep this page open on a clean, offline device while completing steps on the Trezor device itself.

1. Verify packaging & device

Confirm tamper-evident seals and that the box is factory-sealed. The Trezor device should power on only via a trusted USB cable and show a clear manufacturer screen on first boot. If anything looks altered, stop and contact official support.

2. Connect and initialize

Use the official Trezor website or desktop app recommended by the vendor. Connect the device and follow on-device prompts. Choose to create a new wallet rather than recovering one, unless you are restoring.

  • Set a strong device PIN when prompted — this protects against local physical access.
  • Always confirm actions on the device's screen, not only in the browser.
3. Back up your recovery seed

The device will display a recovery seed (typically 12–24 words). Write these words down on the provided card or a durable backup (metal plate) and store copies in separate secure locations. Never store seeds digitally (screenshots, cloud notes, email).

4. Test with a small amount

Before transferring significant funds, send a small test amount to your new Trezor wallet address and confirm receipt. This validates addresses and confirms you control the seed.

5. Maintain hygiene

Keep firmware updated via official channels, avoid entering your seed anywhere, and only use official or well-reviewed software integrations (wallets, bridges). Consider passphrase/PIN combinations for extra defense layers.

Why a hardware wallet?

Hardware wallets store private keys offline in secure hardware. They reduce exposure to malware and remote attackers because critical signing operations happen inside the device. Combined with secure backups and strong user practices, they provide an excellent balance of convenience and security for long-term crypto ownership.

Common troubleshooting

  • Device not detected: Try a different USB port or cable, avoid USB hubs, and ensure your OS recognizes the device.
  • Forgotten PIN: A factory reset is required to regain use — you must restore from your recovery seed. If you lose both seed and PIN, funds are unrecoverable.
  • Seed words mismatch: Reboot the initialization and carefully re-enter the seed. If restoring a known wallet, double-check word lists and order.

Security best practices (short list)

  1. Never enter your seed on an internet-connected device.
  2. Use multiple geographically separated backups for the seed.
  3. Enable a device PIN and consider a passphrase for plausible deniability and extra entropy.
  4. Verify addresses on the device screen before sending funds.
  5. Keep device firmware current through official channels only.

Need more? Official documentation, community guides, and vendor support can walk you through advanced features like multisig, hidden wallets, and coin-specific derivation paths.

Disclaimer

This page is an independent, informational guide intended to help you start using a Trezor hardware wallet safely. It is not produced by, affiliated with, or endorsed by SatoshiLabs or any Trezor product team. The information provided here should not be treated as financial, legal, or professional advice. Always consult official vendor documentation and support for device-specific instructions and the most current security recommendations. Use of any hardware wallet involves risk; you are responsible for safeguarding your recovery seed and private keys. The author assumes no liability for loss of funds or damages resulting from the use of this guide.