Trézor.io/Start® - Starting Up Your Device

Introduction — the basics

Owning cryptocurrency means holding private keys. A Trézor™ hardware wallet stores those keys in a secure element that never exposes them to your computer or phone. This guide focuses on safe, repeatable practices for initializing, using, and backing up your device — practices designed to reduce risk from malware, phishing, physical theft, and human error.

Before you begin — purchases and threat model

Only buy your Trézor™ from official channels or authorized resellers. Second-hand or tampered devices carry a serious risk. Think about your threat model: are you protecting against online attackers, a roommate, a targeted physical theft, or nation-state actors? Your answers determine how far you should go with additional protections like passphrases, multisig, or steel backups.

Unboxing & physical inspection

1 — Inspect packaging: Verify seals and packaging. Official retail units include a serial number and tamper-evident measures. If anything appears altered or missing, contact vendor support and do not proceed.

2 — Contents checklist: The box should contain the Trézor™ device, USB cable, recovery seed cards, quick-start leaflet, and stickers. There may be variation between models; consult official docs for model-specific items.

3 — Power on: Connect the device with the supplied cable. The device should boot to a recognizable Trézor™ logo or welcome screen. If you see unusual text or prompts asking for software before you connect to Trézor Suite, stop and contact support.

Environment preparation

Perform initialization on a clean, personal computer with up-to-date OS patches and antivirus definitions. Avoid public computers. If you prefer extreme caution, use a fresh live OS installation (air-gapped workflow), but for most users following official Trézor™ setup with Trézor Suite on a personal computer is sufficient.

Installing Trézor Suite

Download Trézor Suite only from the official Trézor website. The Suite provides a guided onboarding flow, firmware updates, and transaction management. Verify the website URL and TLS certificate in your browser. Install the desktop app or use the web suite according to your preference.

Initialization walkthrough

Step 1 — Connect and pair: Launch Trézor Suite and connect your device. The Suite will detect the device and prompt to pair. Check the device serial and model in the app match the device physically.

Step 2 — Firmware & authenticity check: Trézor Suite will verify the firmware signature and prompt for updates if necessary. Only install firmware through the official Suite; the device will require you to confirm operations physically — a key anti-tampering control.

Step 3 — Create wallet and recovery: Choose Create new. The device will generate a recovery phrase (seed) — 12, 18, or 24 words depending on model/choice. Write each word in order on the supplied recovery cards. Confirm words when requested.

Step 4 — Set a secure PIN: Choose a PIN using the device's randomized keypad layout. Avoid simple sequences or personal dates. The PIN protects access to the device but not the recovery seed — treat both carefully.

Step 5 — (Optional) Create a passphrase: Consider whether to use a passphrase (advanced). It functions as an extra word added to your seed to create hidden wallets. Understand the irreversible nature of forgetting this passphrase; document and store it securely if used.

Understanding the recovery phrase

The recovery phrase is the ultimate backup. Anyone with access to it can recreate your wallet on any compatible hardware or software wallet. Never store the phrase digitally (photos, cloud, email). Instead, use physical, fireproof storage or steel backups. Consider splitting the seed (Shamir or other secret-sharing methods) if you require redundancy without a single point of failure.

Secure storage options

Steel backups: Metal plates designed to withstand fire, water, and corrosion. Highly recommended for long-term holdings.
Multiple paper copies: Use high-quality paper kept in separate secure locations (home safe + bank deposit box).
Shamir Secret Sharing (SSS): Split your seed into multiple parts where a threshold number of parts is required for recovery. Ideal for organizations or high-value users.

Avoid storing seeds in a single location or in any digital form. Physical security equals peace of mind.

Passphrase — use with caution

A passphrase acts as a 25th word. It improves plausible deniability and privacy by creating additional, hidden wallets. However, it increases the risk of user error. Best practices for passphrases:

Record passphrases on a separate secure backup (steel or sealed paper).
Use a strong, memorable phrase — not a single dictionary word.
Test recovery of a seed + passphrase on a secondary device before storing large amounts.

Warning: Forgetting a passphrase means permanent loss of funds associated with that passphrase.

Operational security (OPSEC)

Daily habits reduce risk. Key recommendations:

Verify every transaction on the Trézor™ device screen before approving — malware can alter amounts or addresses in the computer UI.
Use host systems with up-to-date security patches and reputable antivirus/anti-malware tools.
Never enter your recovery phrase into a computer or mobile device.
Minimize the number of people who know where your recovery backups are stored.

Advanced setups: multisig and third-party wallets

For substantial holdings, consider multisig — spreading private key control across multiple devices or individuals. Trézor™ integrates with third-party wallets that support multisig (e.g., Sparrow Wallet, Electrum). Plan key custody, recovery policies, and regular testing before entrusting large funds to any setup.

Troubleshooting & common issues

Device not detected: Swap USB ports and cables, restart Suite, try another computer. Avoid cheap charging-only cables; use data-capable cables.

Firmware update issues: Follow Trézor Suite instructions and keep the device connected. Do not use third-party firmware tools. If interrupted, use Suite recovery flows or contact support.

Forgot PIN: A factory reset will clear the device. Restore from your recovery phrase. Ensure you have the seed before resetting.

Recovery restore fails: Verify word spelling and order. If using a passphrase, ensure the exact passphrase is entered. For advanced support, contact official Trézor support.

Testing your setup

Before transferring large sums, perform small inbound and outbound test transactions. Confirm addresses and signed transaction details on-device. Practice a full recovery on a secondary device using your backup (preferably not the primary device) to ensure your backups are valid and complete.

Checklist — ready to take custody

Device bought from official source and inspected
Trézor Suite downloaded from official website
Firmware updated and signatures verified on-device
Recovery phrase written down and duplicated into steel backup(s)
PIN set and stored separately from recovery phrase
Optional passphrase planned and stored securely (if used)
Small test transactions completed successfully

FAQs

Q: Can I restore my Trézor™ seed on another wallet?
A: Most BIP-39 compatible wallets can restore seeds, but device-specific behavior (passphrase handling, derivation paths) may vary.

Q: Is a 12-word seed secure?
A: A 12-word seed provides adequate entropy for many users. For increased security, choose 24 words. You can also add a passphrase.

Q: Should I use cloud backups?
A: No. Cloud backups expose your seed to theft. Use physical backups only.

Legal & estate planning

Consider how to pass access to your cryptocurrency in the event of incapacity or death. Legal frameworks vary by jurisdiction; consult a legal or tax professional to design a secure estate plan that balances security and recoverability (e.g., sealed instructions, trusted third party, legal trusts).

Where to find official help

For firmware issues, suspected compromises, or device-specific questions, use Trézor™ official support and documentation. Avoid unofficial repair or recovery services. Keep support reference links in your records for future troubleshooting.