This page is a concise presentation-style guide designed to lead you through the initial setup and safe use of a Trezor hardware wallet. It focuses on practical steps you should take from unboxing through everyday usage, emphasizing simple, repeatable security practices that protect your funds. The language is intentionally direct so you can present or print these sections as quick-reference slides.
Hardware wallets like Trezor store private keys offline and sign transactions inside a secure environment. This reduces exposure to malware and online attackers that target computers or phones. For anyone holding non-trivial cryptocurrency balances, isolating keys in hardware adds a meaningful layer of defense while still allowing everyday usage through verified transaction signing.
When your device arrives, inspect packaging for tamper-evident seals and official branding. Verify model labels and included accessories: the device, a USB cable, recovery seed cards, and quick-start documentation. If anything appears tampered with, stop and contact the vendor or Trezor support by visiting trezor.io/start.
Use a data-capable USB cable to connect the Trezor to a computer. Open a modern browser and enter https://trezor.io/start manually — never use links from unsolicited messages. The official onboarding site will detect the device, check authenticity, and guide you through firmware and setup steps.
Select “Create new wallet” on the official site. The device will generate a recovery seed for you to record. Write the words down exactly and in order on the provided card; do not photograph or save them digitally. Next, choose a PIN to protect local access and decide whether to use an optional passphrase — a powerful but advanced feature that must be managed carefully.
The recovery seed is the ultimate backup to recover funds on another device. Keep multiple physical copies in separate secure locations, such as a home safe and a bank safety deposit box. Avoid storing seeds online or in photos, and never share your seed with anyone — legitimate support will never ask for it.
Choose a PIN of sufficient length and avoid easily guessable numbers. The passphrase option creates a hidden wallet and increases privacy, but it is not recoverable if forgotten. Use passphrases only if you understand the risks and have a reliable, secure method to remember or store them separate from the seed.
Always verify receiving addresses and transaction details on the device’s screen before approving. Attackers can manipulate computer displays; the device screen is your ground truth. When using third-party wallets or services, prefer those that let you verify inputs on-device and avoid giving full control to unfamiliar applications.
Keep firmware up to date via the official onboarding site. Firmware updates patch security issues and may add features. Only accept updates shown at trezor.io/start and confirm prompts on the device screen. Maintain multiple backups of your seed whenever you reinitialize or create new wallets.
Can I recover on another Trezor? Yes. The recovery seed can be used to restore your wallet on any compatible device that supports the same standard. What if I lose my seed? Without any backup, funds are irretrievable. Create multiple physical backups when you initialize the device.