Official getting‑started • Colorful • Print‑friendly • Headings h1–h5
This extended guide expands the standard onboarding steps into a thorough, 2,000‑word walkthrough designed to help new users and administrators complete a secure setup with confidence. It provides context, practical tips, additional security guidance, and troubleshooting notes that are useful whether you're doing a single device for personal use or onboarding multiple devices for a small team.
The official portal centralizes verified downloads, clear firmware and compatibility checks, and the latest step‑by‑step guidance. Using the official flow reduces the risk of installing counterfeit software or falling into a phishing trap. It also helps you follow best practices from the vendor—things like where to find firmware release notes, how device authenticity checks work, and what to expect during recovery and updates.
Unbox the device and inspect the packaging for tampering. Trezor packages are designed to be recognizably sealed; if anything looks off, stop and contact support. Hardware alteration is uncommon but possible—never plug in a device if the seal appears compromised.
Open Trezor.io/Start and choose the recommended download for your platform. Trezor Suite (desktop) is the preferred interface for most users because it bundles firmware verification and a clear account management UI. Follow the site instructions to install the Suite package for Windows, macOS, or Linux.
Connect your Trezor using the included USB cable. Launch Suite and follow the guided onboarding flow: check device model, accept the prompt to verify authenticity, and proceed to initialization. The device will show prompts on its own screen; confirm that the device display text matches the Suite instructions before approving any step.
If you are new, choose to create a new wallet. The device will ask you to choose a PIN and then present the recovery seed words. If you are migrating, choose restore and carefully enter your existing seed words using the device interface.
Write the seed words precisely on the provided recovery card. Verify word order and spelling. Consider creating two physical backups stored in separate secure locations (e.g., a home safe and a deposit box). If you use a metal backup plate, ensure it supports your seed length and is installed correctly.
Suite will indicate whether your device firmware is current. Apply verified updates when available, and only approve firmware changes on the device after reading the update summary. After firmware verification, your device is ready to add accounts and manage assets.
In Suite, install apps for the blockchains you plan to use (if required) and add accounts. The Suite will discover addresses derived from your seed; you may label accounts for bookkeeping.
Generate a receive address and always verify that the address shown in Suite matches the address displayed on your device. Host‑side malware can alter presented addresses; the device screen is your single source of truth.
Prepare the transaction in Suite, then confirm the recipient address, amount, and fees on the device before signing. Small test transactions help catch configuration mistakes before significant transfers.
A passphrase is an optional additional secret that creates a hidden wallet derived from the same seed. It enhances privacy and separation but adds recovery complexity—if you forget the passphrase, the hidden wallet is irretrievable. Use passphrases only if you have disciplined secret management.
For organizational or high‑value holdings, consider multisignature setups which distribute signing authority across multiple devices and parties. Multisig reduces single‑point failure risk but requires operational policies and secure key distribution.
Try a different USB cable and port; avoid hubs. Restart Suite and the computer if necessary. On Linux, ensure udev rules are configured to allow non‑root access to the device node.
If you forget your PIN, reset the device and restore from your recovery seed. Never reset if you do not have a secure copy of the seed because a reset without the seed will cause permanent loss of access to funds.
If any website or support request asks for your seed or passphrase, treat it as a scam. Close the session, disconnect, and consult the official portal for remediation steps.
Blockchain transactions are public — plan for accounting and tax reporting. Use distinct accounts for different activities to reduce address linkability when privacy is a concern.
Use the official portal for release notes, firmware history, and verified support channels. Avoid third‑party guides that do not reference official documentation.
Yes — your recovery seed will restore your wallet on any compatible device that supports the seed standard. Always verify the process on the device screen during restore.
Passphrases increase security but come with risk: loss of the passphrase equals loss of funds in the hidden wallet. Use them only if you have a reliable secret management plan.
Update firmware only through the official Suite. The Suite verifies signed firmware updates; never apply firmware from untrusted sources.