Trezor.io/Start – Setup Your Trezor Hardware Wallet

A clear, secure, step-by-step walkthrough to get your Trezor ready — from unboxing to safely storing your recovery seed.

Introduction

Hardware wallets like Trezor provide one of the safest ways to store your cryptocurrencies by keeping private keys offline. This guide walks you through the entire Trezor.io/start experience: setting up the device, initializing a wallet, creating a recovery seed, installing firmware, and following best security practices so you can use crypto with confidence.

Before you begin — what you’ll need

Step 1 — Unboxing and first inspection

When you receive your Trezor, inspect the packaging seal for tamper-evidence. Genuine Trezor units are shipped in a sealed box — do not use the device if the seal looks broken or altered. Keep the packaging until setup is complete.

Step 2 — Visit trezor.io/start

Open a supported browser and go to trezor.io/start. The site will guide you to install the official Trezor Suite or use the browser-based setup flow. Always verify the URL and the browser’s TLS lock to ensure you're on the authentic site.

Step 3 — Install firmware and Trezor Suite

If your device requires firmware, the official setup will prompt you to install it. Only install firmware presented by the official Trezor website. For desktop management, download Trezor Suite (official app) from the site and install it to manage accounts and transactions.

If you see firmware prompts anywhere else — stop and double-check the URL. Never install unofficial software claiming to support Trezor.

Step 4 — Create a new wallet and recovery seed

During initialization choose Create a new wallet. Trezor will generate a random recovery seed — typically 12, 18, or 24 words depending on the model and options. Write each word neatly on the supplied recovery card. Do not store the seed digitally (no photos, no cloud notes).

Consider using a metal backup plate for fire and water resistance if you plan on long-term storage.

Step 5 — Set a PIN and passphrase (optional)

Choose a PIN you can remember but others won’t guess. The PIN protects your device if it is stolen. For advanced users, enabling a passphrase adds a hidden wallet layer — treat passphrases like an extension of the recovery seed and back them up safely.

Step 6 — Add accounts and receive funds

Open Trezor Suite and add the cryptocurrency accounts you want to use (Bitcoin, Ethereum, ERC-20 tokens, etc.). To receive funds, share only the receiving address shown in Trezor Suite — verify the address on the device screen before sending any funds.

Security tips & best practices

If you suspect your seed or PIN has been exposed, move funds to a new wallet immediately using a new Trezor/device and a freshly generated seed.

Troubleshooting common issues

Final checklist

Start your Trezor setup