Welcome to Trezor.io/start, your comprehensive guide to setting up your new Trezor hardware wallet. This guide will walk you through the entire process of unboxing, connecting, and configuring your Trezor device to ensure your cryptocurrencies are stored with the highest level of security.
Trezor hardware wallets provide the most secure storage for your cryptocurrency private keys. By keeping your keys offline in a secure device, Trezor protects your assets from online threats, hackers, and malware. With models like Trezor Model T and Trezor Safe 3, you get a user-friendly interface combined with military-grade security features.
Before starting the setup process, ensure you have the following:
Connect your Trezor to your computer using the supplied USB cable. The device should power on automatically.
Download and install Trezor Suite, our desktop application for managing your cryptocurrency assets.
Follow the on-screen instructions in Trezor Suite to initialize your new device.
Write down your recovery seed phrase on the provided card. This is the most important security step!
Create a secure PIN to protect your device from unauthorized physical access.
Install the latest firmware to ensure your device has the most recent security updates.
Trezor Suite is the official desktop and web application for managing your Trezor device. It provides a secure interface for all your cryptocurrency transactions and portfolio management. Always download Trezor Suite from our official website (trezor.io/start) to avoid phishing attempts.
When you first connect your Trezor, you'll be prompted to initialize the device. This process includes:
The recovery seed is the most critical component of your Trezor's security. This 12-24 word phrase is the master key to your cryptocurrency holdings. Follow these guidelines:
Your PIN protects your device from physical access. The Trezor uses an innovative randomized keypad to prevent keyloggers from capturing your PIN. Choose a PIN that:
Firmware updates contain important security improvements and new features. Your Trezor Suite will automatically check for updates when you connect your device. Always keep your firmware updated to ensure the highest level of protection.
Once your basic setup is complete, consider these advanced security options:
The passphrase feature adds an extra word to your recovery seed, creating a "hidden wallet." Even if someone discovers your recovery seed, they cannot access your funds without the passphrase. This provides protection against physical theft of your recovery seed.
Available on Trezor Model T, Shamir Backup allows you to split your recovery seed into multiple shares. You can specify how many shares are needed to recover the wallet (e.g., 3 of 5 shares). This provides both security and redundancy for your backup.
Your Trezor can serve as a universal two-factor authentication (U2F) device for online services like Google, GitHub, and Dropbox. This provides stronger security than SMS-based 2FA or authenticator apps.
If your computer doesn't recognize your Trezor device:
If firmware installation fails:
Once your Trezor is set up, you can:
Ongoing security maintenance is crucial for protecting your cryptocurrencies:
If you encounter any issues during setup or have questions about using your Trezor, our support team is ready to help:
Congratulations on taking this important step toward securing your cryptocurrency assets! With your Trezor properly set up, you can confidently store, manage, and transact with your digital wealth.