Trezor.io/Start® — Starting™ Up Your Device | Trezór®

Introduction

Trezor hardware wallets provide a secure, offline environment for generating and storing cryptocurrency private keys. Unlike software wallets, Trezor keeps the signing process on the device itself and forces you to verify transaction details on its screen before approving anything. This guide walks you step-by-step through the official start process at trezor.io/start, how to set a PIN and create a recovery seed safely, updating firmware with Trezor Suite, restoring a backup, and practical operational security you can use every day.

Safety summary: Your recovery seed is the backup for your entire wallet. Never enter it into a website or store it digitally. If anyone asks for it, it's a scam.

Before you start — quick checklist

• Buy a new device from the official store or an authorized reseller.
• Choose a private, well-lit workspace for setup.
• Have a pen and the provided recovery card (or a metal backup) ready — don’t use your phone camera.
• Use a trusted computer and a modern browser. Avoid public machines for initial setup.
• Type trezor.io/start manually into the browser — do not click links from unknown emails or messages.

Tip: Consider bookmarking trezor.io/start after you visit it by typing the URL manually once. That reduces the risk of phishing later.

Unboxing & initial inspection

When your Trezor arrives, inspect the packaging carefully. Official devices include tamper-evident seals and clearly printed manufacturer markings. If anything looks altered or missing, contact the seller and do not use the device until you've confirmed authenticity.

1. Open the box in private and confirm the device model, the USB cable, and the recovery card are included.
2. Check for visible signs of tampering with seals or packaging.
3. Do not power on or plug the device in until you are ready to run the official start flow at trezor.io/start.

If you receive a used device or one purchased from an untrusted marketplace, assume it might be compromised. Prefer a brand-new, factory-sealed unit for holding real funds.

Step-by-step: the trezor.io/start flow

The official web flow guides you through setup and recommends using Trezor Suite (desktop app) for the best experience. Below is a condensed, stepwise version of what you’ll see and what to watch for.

1. Open your browser and go to trezor.io/start. Type it manually to avoid typosquats and phishing domains.
2. Download Trezor Suite or follow the web steps. Trezor Suite provides an integrated desktop experience for firmware, accounts, and transactions.
3. Connect your Trezor to the computer using the supplied USB cable. The device will display a welcome screen.
4. Follow on-screen prompts in Suite or the website to choose: create a new device or restore from an existing recovery seed.
5. Create a PIN: the device will ask you to set a PIN using its buttons. Pick a memorable but non-obvious PIN and never record it with the recovery seed.
6. Write down your recovery seed: the device shows the words one by one. Record them in order onto the recovery card or a metal backup solution. Confirm the words on-device when prompted.
7. Install firmware if prompted: Suite will offer official firmware updates. Apply them only via the official path and confirm every step on the device display.

Never enter the recovery seed into your computer, mobile phone, cloud storage, or send it by message or email. Keep it offline and under your control only.

Choosing a PIN and recording the recovery seed

PIN guidance

• Choose a PIN that is easy for you to remember but hard for others to guess. Avoid simple sequences (1234) or birthdays.
• Do not write the PIN on the recovery card or keep it next to the seed backup.
• If you forget the PIN and enter it incorrectly too many times, the device will lock and typically perform a factory wipe — you can restore using your recovery seed.

Recording the recovery seed

1. Write down each word exactly as shown, in the correct order, using the supplied recovery card or a trusted metal backup.
2. Double-check spelling and order before storing the backup.
3. Store the backup in a secure, offline location such as a safe or deposit box. Consider geographically separate backups for redundancy.

Avoid storing the seed in photos, screenshots, digital notes, cloud backups, or password managers. Digital storage is a common point of compromise.

Firmware updates & using Trezor Suite

Trezor Suite is the official app for managing firmware, accounts, and transactions. When the Suite or website detects a firmware update, follow the prompts carefully and always confirm actions on the device screen. Firmware updates are important for security and functionality, but must be done only through official channels.

• Download Suite from the official site; keep both Suite and the device firmware up to date.
• Do not apply firmware from third-party or mirrored sources.
• Do not interrupt a firmware update. If something goes wrong, follow the official recovery instructions — do not follow random forum advice that asks for your seed.

Keep a recent backup of your recovery seed before performing major updates, just in case you need to restore the device later.

Restoring an existing wallet

If you have a recovery seed from a previous wallet, you can restore it during setup. Restoring on the hardware device is safer than restoring on a software wallet because the seed is entered on the device's secure input.

1. Select "Restore wallet" in the Suite flow or on the device.
2. Enter each recovery word on the device when prompted. Some models offer microSD or other secure input options; follow device prompts.
3. If you used a passphrase (an optional extra secret), provide it exactly to recover any hidden accounts derived from the passphrase.

After restoring, the Suite will scan and show the accounts and balances derived from the seed. You can re-add accounts and confirm balances without exposing the seed to the host machine.

Daily use — receive, send, and confirm on-device

Receiving funds

1. Open Trezor Suite and select the receiving account.
2. Click Receive. Suite displays a receiving address and your Tre