Trezor Start — Congrats on your new Trezor
A clean, friendly guide to get you set up, stay secure, and love your hardware wallet.
Welcome to safer crypto
Unboxing a Trezor is the best moment between "I bought crypto" and "I sleep well at night." This guide walks you through the essentials: initial setup, best safety practices, recovery planning, and the smart habits that keep your private keys private. Read this once — then create a routine that you trust.
Why use a hardware wallet?
A hardware wallet separates your private keys from internet-connected devices. While software wallets on phones or desktops are convenient, they expose keys to malware and phishing. A hardware device stores keys inside a secure element so signing transactions happens offline and attackers can’t simply copy your secret. If you value long-term ownership of crypto, a hardware wallet is the most practical, user-friendly way to achieve cold security without giving up control.
First steps: Unbox, inspect, and prepare
When you unbox your Trezor, inspect packaging and tamper seals. Read the included quick-start card. Keep the recovery card (or sheet) ready: this is where you'll write your recovery seed — never take a photo of it and never store it digitally. Set aside a quiet, private surface and avoid screens or recording devices while you generate and write down the seed.
Pro tip: If you want a quick source for official docs and firmware downloads, visit trezor.io — always download firmware and companion apps from the official pages.
Setup checklist (step-by-step)
- Charge/plug the device and connect to your computer using the supplied cable.
- Go to the official setup flow in the Trezor Suite or the web start page. Follow on-screen prompts to install firmware if needed.
- Create a new wallet: the device will generate a recovery seed. Write the seed by hand on the provided recovery card — double- and triple-check each word.
- Choose a PIN — pick a number you can remember but that’s not easily guessed. Use a PIN that’s long enough to prevent brute-force attempts.
- Test recovery by accessing the device and confirming the displayed seed words match what you wrote down. Store the recovery seed in a secure, fire-resistant location.
- Install the companion app and add your first crypto account. For extra safety, send a small "test" transaction first, then the rest when you are confident everything works.
Safety practices everyone should follow
Security is both technical and behavioral. Keep these habits: never disclose your recovery seed; never enter your seed into a browser or app; avoid "helpful" strangers who ask about transactions or try to guide you through setup; always verify addresses on the hardware device display before confirming a send; keep firmware updated — official updates often close vulnerabilities, but always verify the update is signed by the vendor and install it through official channels.
Recovering your wallet (when you need to)
If your device is lost, stolen, or damaged, your recovery seed is the guarantee of ownership. Use a new Trezor (or compatible hardware wallet) and follow the restore wallet option to input your seed. Remember: the seed itself is the highest-value secret — anyone with it can recreate your wallet. Consider resilient storage methods like split-storage (different physical locations), safe deposit boxes, or steel backup plates for fire/water protection.
Advanced tips for power users
Power users often combine a hardware wallet with multisig setups, passphrases, and dedicated offline signing machines. A passphrase (sometimes called the 25th word) creates a hidden wallet — be careful: passphrases are also secrets and must be stored securely. When using multisig, distribute keys across separate hardware devices and trusted locations so no single event can compromise the entire wallet.
Six main keywords you should remember
Use those keywords when researching best practices, because they'll guide you to the most relevant pages and tools. Remember: always pair research with verified sources and the official site when performing sensitive actions.
Common pitfalls and how to avoid them
Attackers rely on haste and confusion. Common pitfalls include entering your recovery seed into a website (never do this), using counterfeit devices purchased from unauthorized sellers, or following social media "support" messages promising help. Avoid these by using only official downloads, buying devices from official retailers, verifying device firmware, and treating your seed like cash — physical and irreplaceable.