First — congratulations. Owning a Trezor is a strong, proactive step toward taking custody of your crypto. A hardware wallet keeps your private keys offline inside a secure element and significantly reduces the surface area for online attacks. That said, good security habits are still required. This guide assumes you have a genuine Trezor device (Model One or Model T) and the official packaging.
Hardware wallets like Trezor protect the sensitive cryptographic secrets that control your funds. Even if your computer is compromised, the private key never leaves the device; you approve transactions on the Trezor itself. Think of it as a vault that signs operations while keeping the vault key inside.
Keep your recovery seed offline, never share it with anyone or type it into a website. The recovery seed is the master key to your funds.
Below are 10 official, colorful links for common Trezor pages. Use them as your primary starting points during setup and for future reference.
All links open in a new tab. Bookmark https://trezor.io/start for guided setup.
When your device arrives, check packaging for any signs of tampering. Authentic devices are shipped with tamper-evident seals. Verify the model printed on the box and the serial/QR code (if present) match the device. If anything looks suspicious, contact support immediately — do not set it up.
Always use https://trezor.io/start (seen above) or official links. Phishing sites frequently mimic setup flows — double-check the URL and TLS lock icon in the browser.
Use a clean, updated browser (Chrome/Edge/Firefox). Avoid using public or untrusted computers. Visit https://trezor.io/start, connect your device, and follow the official on-screen instructions.
Trezor may ask you to install the Trezor Bridge or open Trezor Suite. These are official apps that let your browser talk to the device securely. Download them from the official site only.
The device will prompt you to create a PIN. Choose a PIN you can remember but that is not guessable. The PIN is required to unlock the device locally; it protects against physical access by strangers.
A PIN prevents unauthorized physical use. It is separate from the recovery seed and can be changed later on the device.
The device will generate a recovery seed (12–24 words depending on model and choice). This is the only backup of your private keys. Write it down on the provided recovery card or other air-gapped medium. NEVER store the seed digitally (no photos, no cloud, no Notes app).
Handwriting the seed on the recovery card is the recommended method. Consider using a metal backup plate (sold separately) for long-term durability against fire, water, or aging paper.
The device will have you confirm random words from the phrase to ensure you wrote it down correctly. Take your time: errors here are permanent unless you still have the device and want to reinitialize.
Depending on the wallet and coin ecosystem, install the relevant coin apps via Trezor Suite or connect Trezor with compatible wallets (e.g., Electrum, Wasabi, or supported web wallets). Always verify wallet URLs and use official integration guides.
It’s wise to have at least one geographically separated backup (for example, one copy at home and another in a secure deposit box). Make sure both are physically secure and accessible only to you or trusted successors.
Shamir Backup splits your seed into multiple parts; you need a subset to reconstruct. It increases resilience but also complexity — use only after careful study and testing.
During setup, Trezor performs a device-attestation flow; follow it and ensure the device displays expected verification screens. Do not proceed if the device shows unexpected prompts or firmware versions.
Firmware updates close security holes and add features. Only install firmware from official sources: https://trezor.io/firmware. Firmware updates will generally require that your device be connected and you confirm actions on the device screen.
Scammers impersonate exchanges, wallets, or "Trezor support." Real support will never ask for your PIN or recovery seed. If someone tells you to enter your seed to "restore access" — it's a scam.
Trezor Suite is the official desktop/web app for managing many cryptocurrencies. It provides an integrated, audited interface and often the simplest path for new users.
Trezor supports integrations with popular wallets. Examples include Electrum for Bitcoin, Wasabi for privacy-focused coin management, and various web wallets for altcoins. Always verify compatibility and official instructions before connecting.
When you initiate a transaction on your computer, the device will prompt you to confirm details (addresses, amounts) on the device screen itself. Review every digit of the address and amount — the device is designed so the host cannot silently substitute values without you seeing them.
If you perform a factory reset, your private keys are erased from the device. You can recover funds by entering your seed on a new Trezor or a compatible recovery tool — but only use official recovery processes or trusted open-source tools you understand.
Contact official support if you encounter suspected tampering, hardware faults, or if you are uncertain about any step. Use the Contact link above (one of the colorful official links).
If you lose the device but still have your recovery seed, you can recover funds on another Trezor or compatible wallet. If you lost both the device and the seed, the funds are unrecoverable. This underscores the importance of secure seed backup.
Only if they also know your PIN and have your seed — or if they can coerce you into revealing your seed. The device protects against casual theft, but strong PINs and secure seed storage are still essential.
Yes. You can change or remove the PIN from the device settings, though removing the PIN reduces security in case of physical theft.
Yes — most standard BIP39 seeds are widely compatible. If you use advanced features (like passphrases or Shamir Backup), compatibility may vary.
If you're creating documentation or a blog and want to include an attention-grabbing official link, here's a compact example (copy/paste safe):
<a href="https://trezor.io/start" class="official-link a4" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Start your Trezor setup</a>
This uses the same styling featured above; adapt the class for different colors (a1–a10).
Occasionally check the official blog and firmware pages for updates. It's wise to test your backup occasionally by doing a restore to a spare device or using a testnet environment (never on live funds unless you fully understand the process).
Consider how a trusted person would access funds in an emergency or inheritance scenario. Document the existence and location of backups without sharing the seed. Use trusted legal instruments when appropriate.
Security is a habit, not a one-time task. Regularly revisit your procedures, educate yourself on new threats, and use official resources when in doubt. Your hardware wallet is a powerful tool — handle it with respect.