Introduction
What is Trezor®?
Trezor® is a purpose-built hardware wallet that stores private keys offline for secure cryptocurrency management. This presentation covers the essential steps to unbox, initialize, and secure your device, plus recommended workflows for daily use. Follow the instructions carefully to avoid common mistakes during setup.
Who should follow this guide?
This guide is tailored for first-time hardware wallet users and anyone who wants a clear, methodical walkthrough of Trezor® initialization and safety checks. It assumes you can access a modern web browser and have a small notebook or the official recovery card at hand.
Before you begin
Checklist
- Ensure you have a computer or smartphone with a supported browser.
- Keep the original packaging and serial number in case of support.
- Prepare a quiet, private workspace — setup requires entering seed words.
- Never share your recovery seed with anyone or enter it into online forms.
Safety note
Step-by-step setup
Unbox and inspect
Open the package and confirm tamper-evident seals if present. Verify the device model and check for physical damage. Locate the included USB cable and the recovery card if shipped. If anything appears tampered with, contact official support immediately.
Connect and power
Plug the device into your computer
Use the supplied cable to connect your Trezor® to a computer or compatible mobile device. Wait for the device to power on and display a welcome screen. If the device requires an adapter for USB-C, use a reliable adapter.
Open Trezor.io/start
In your browser, go to Trezor.io/start (or use the Trezor Suite application). The official site will guide you to the latest supported steps and downloads. Only download software from official channels.
Install firmware (if prompted)
New devices often ship without the final firmware. Follow on-screen instructions to install or update firmware. This process is signed by the manufacturer — ensure you follow the official prompts and never install firmware from unknown sources.
Create a new wallet or recover an existing one
Choose create new to generate a fresh recovery seed on your device. If you already have a seed, choose restore and enter the words using only the device buttons or screen; never type the full recovery on the computer.
Writing down your recovery seed
When your Trezor® displays recovery words, write them down in the exact order on the provided recovery card or a secure medium. Do not take photos or copy them to digital text. Treat the written sheet like cash — losing it means losing access to your funds.
Security best practices
Physical security
- Store your recovery seed in a safe or locked deposit box if possible.
- Consider splitting the seed into multiple secure locations for redundancy.
- Never allow strangers or unknown support agents to see the seed.
Operational security (OpSec)
Always verify the receiving address on your device's screen before sending funds. Use strong, unique passphrases where supported and understand that a passphrase acts as an additional word to your recovery seed — if forgotten, funds are irrecoverable.
First transactions
Receive funds
To receive funds, open the Trezor Suite or compatible wallet, generate a receiving address and confirm it on the device screen. Copy the address from the device to avoid clipboard attacks. Send a small test amount first to ensure everything is working.
Send funds
Use the wallet interface to prepare a transaction and always check the destination address and amounts on the Trezor® display before confirming. Confirming on the device ensures malware on your computer can’t silently change recipient addresses.
Troubleshooting & support
Common issues
- Device not recognized: Try a different USB cable or port. Restart your computer and ensure the latest browser is installed.
- Firmware stuck: Follow official recovery instructions on the start page or contact support.
- Missing seed: If you lose a seed and still have the device, immediately move funds to a new wallet with a new seed.
When to contact official support
Contact support if you suspect tampering, if firmware behaves unexpectedly, or when you need help restoring a wallet. Use only official support channels listed below.
Advanced options
Passphrase protection
Enabling a passphrase adds an extra word to your recovery seed and creates hidden wallets. This advanced feature greatly enhances privacy but increases complexity. Document any passphrase choices securely — losing the passphrase is equivalent to losing access.
Shamir Backup / multi-sig
For high-value holdings, consider multi-signature setups or Shamir backups (if supported). These techniques distribute control over multiple keys or secret shares and reduce single-point-of-failure risk.
Recap & next steps
By now you should have your Trezor® powered, firmware updated, and a written recovery seed stored securely. Send a small test transaction to confirm receiving and sending workflows. Explore Trezor Suite for portfolio management and plugin support for third-party wallets.
Key takeaways
- Never share your recovery seed or enter it online.
- Always verify addresses on the device screen.
- Keep firmware updated and use official software channels.