A complete, security-first walkthrough to get your Trezor hardware wallet set up safely, verify authenticity, back up recovery material and start interacting with Web3.
Welcome to the official Trezor start guide. This page consolidates the essential steps every new Trezor owner should follow: confirm package authenticity, install the correct software, initialize the device, securely record your recovery seed, verify firmware signatures, and connect to decentralized applications without exposing your private keys. The aim is simple — give you custody of your crypto while minimizing the risk of common mistakes.
Read the short checklist below and follow each step deliberately. Rushing setup or writing seeds onto an internet-connected device are common causes of loss. Treat your recovery seed like the key to a safe — if someone else gets it, they control your funds.
When your device arrives, inspect the packaging carefully. Official Trezor units include tamper-evident elements. If the packaging or seals appear tampered with, stop and contact official support. Avoid buying hardware wallets from auction sites or unknown sellers — prefer authorized retailers listed on the official site.
Next, visit the official download and start page at trezor.io/start to download Trezor Suite (recommended) or Trezor Bridge (if your workflow needs the browser bridge). Always verify checksums when offered and prefer platform-specific installers from the official domain.
Trezor Suite is the full-featured desktop app for firmware updates, account management, portfolio view and backups. Trezor Bridge is a lightweight connector for web apps. Choose Suite for initial setup and firmware verification. Follow these sub-steps: download the installer from trezor.io/start, run the installer, and launch the app. If the app prompts for firmware or signature verification, allow the automatic process or follow on-screen verification steps.
Tip: macOS/Linux/Windows installers are available; choose the one matching your OS. For advanced verification, check the GitHub releases page at github.com/trezor and follow checksum verification instructions in the docs.
When initializing, the device will either create a new wallet or allow you to restore from an existing seed. If creating new, the device generates a recovery seed (12—24 words depending on your choice). Write these words down exactly as they appear. Do this offline on the included recovery card or on a secure metal backup if you prefer durability.
Never store your seed in photos, cloud notes, or on a computer. Consider using geographic separation (multiple secure physical locations) for redundancy, but be careful — more copies increases the chance of compromise. If you use a passphrase, understand that it acts as an additional secret; losing it can make the wallet irrecoverable even with the seed.
Firmware updates may include important security fixes. Trezor Suite will help you install signed firmware and verify the device's authenticity. If the device behaves oddly or a firmware update fails, stop and consult the official Support Center at support.trezor.io before continuing.
Always check the official blog and security advisories at blog.trezor.io for any alerts or recommended actions. Audits and changelogs are public — use them to verify the integrity of the firmware and client software.
Once initialized, add cryptocurrency accounts in Suite. The app will discover standard derivation paths and show balances for supported coins. Before moving large sums, test transfers with small amounts to confirm the entire flow — address correctness, network fees, and confirmation times.
When connecting to dApps, use Trezor Bridge or Suite’s integrated features to ensure the browser does not hold private keys. Confirm every transaction on-device: the hardware will show recipients, amounts, and other critical details for you to validate.
If managing very large balances, consider multisig or splitting assets across multiple devices to reduce single points of failure.
A — Always download from trezor.io/start. That page includes Suite and Bridge installers and platform-specific instructions.
A — Write it on the provided recovery card or use a metal backup kit stored offline. Never photograph or save the seed on an internet-connected device.
A — If you still possess your recovery seed, you can restore your funds to a new Trezor or compatible wallet. If both are lost, funds may be permanently unrecoverable.
A — Yes. Use Trezor Bridge or Trezor Suite integrations to connect safely. Download Bridge from the official start page and test with small amounts first.
A — Official support and documentation: support.trezor.io · docs.trezor.io. Community channels include r/trezor and the official blog at blog.trezor.io.