Trezor.io/Start | Starting® Up® Your® Device® — Extended Guide

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.

Why use the official Trezor.io/Start flow?

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.

Pro tip: Type the portal address directly or use a bookmarked URL you created yourself. Avoid clicking search ads that may mimic official pages.

Before you begin: prerequisites

Hardware and environment

  • A Trezor device (Model T or Model One), the original USB cable, and the official recovery card.
  • A desktop or laptop with an up‑to‑date operating system and browser. Prefer a personal machine over public computers.
  • Quiet space where you can write down your seed without interruption.
  • Optional durable backup such as a stainless steel seed plate for long‑term protection.

Personal readiness

  • Allocate 20–40 minutes for the first setup, including backups and verification.
  • Have pen(s) and two copies of the recovery card if you plan to make a geographically separated backup.
  • Decide in advance if you will use an optional passphrase (advanced users only).

Safety notices

Do not photograph or store the recovery seed digitally—screenshots and cloud backups are insecure.
Never disclose your recovery seed to anyone claiming to be support. The seed is the master key; support personnel will never ask for it.

Step‑by‑step startup (detailed)

1. Inspect packaging and device integrity

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.

2. Navigate to the official portal and download Suite

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.

3. Connect the device and follow the on‑screen wizard

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.

4. Choose initialization: create new wallet or restore

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.

5. Securely record your recovery seed

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.

6. Verify firmware and finalize setup

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.

Manage accounts & basic operations

Adding accounts

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.

Receiving funds

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.

Sending funds

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.

Advanced protections

Passphrase (optional)

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.

Multisig and custody

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.

Troubleshooting & common issues

Device not detected

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.

Forgotten PIN

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.

Phishing or suspicious prompts

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.

Operational tips

  • Rehearse recovery on a test device to ensure your backup process works.
  • Limit the number of people who know the physical location of backups.
  • Rotate backups if they show physical wear; metal backups are excellent for durability.

Privacy & compliance

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.

Support & resources

Use the official portal for release notes, firmware history, and verified support channels. Avoid third‑party guides that do not reference official documentation.

FAQ

Can I restore my wallet on another device?

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.

Should I use a passphrase?

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.

How do I update firmware safely?

Update firmware only through the official Suite. The Suite verifies signed firmware updates; never apply firmware from untrusted sources.

Final checklist before moving significant funds

  1. Seed written and stored securely in at least two locations.
  2. Device PIN tested and remembered (not written on or with the seed).
  3. Firmware verified and updated through Suite.
  4. Addresses confirmed on the device for both receive and send tests.
  5. Performed a successful small test transaction and verified confirmations.
  6. Considered advanced custody (passphrase, multisig) based on threat model.
Ready? When you complete these steps you will have a robust foundation for managing crypto securely with your Trezor device.