Trezor Wallet — Official Setup Guide

Follow this step-by-step presentation to initialize your Trezor device safely.

Quick overview

This guide walks you through unboxing, connecting, initializing, backing up, and securing your Trezor hardware wallet. It is formatted as a visual presentation with clear, numbered steps, security tips, and a short FAQ. Use the layout buttons to change the page layout to "Classic" (two-column presentation) or "Minimal" (single-column, linear reading).

Before you start — prerequisites

Make sure you have: your Trezor device, the USB cable that came with it (or a supported adapter), a desktop or laptop with an up-to-date browser, and a safe, private space to write down your recovery seed. Never enter your recovery seed on a phone or store it digitally.

  • Compatible OS: Windows, macOS, Linux (browser-based setup recommended)
  • Browser: Latest version of Chrome, Firefox, or Edge
  • Do NOT install unofficial software from untrusted sources

Step-by-step setup (presentation style)

1
Unbox & inspect
Check the anti-tamper seal and packaging. Verify the device shows no physical damage. If the seal looks tampered with, contact the vendor immediately.
2
Connect to your computer
Use the provided USB cable to plug your Trezor into the computer. Open your browser and go to the official start page (example: trezor.io/start) to begin the guided setup.
3
Install firmware
If prompted, install the latest official firmware. The device will show a fingerprint or version number when complete — confirm that it appears on the hardware's screen before proceeding.
4
Create a new wallet / set a PIN
Follow on-screen instructions to create a wallet. Choose a strong, memorable PIN. The PIN protects local access to the device and is required for transactions.
5
Write down your recovery seed
The device will generate a 12, 18, or 24-word recovery seed. Write these words on the supplied card or another offline method. Store it in at least two separate secure locations. Never store your seed on a computer, phone, or cloud service.
6
Confirm seed & finish
You will be asked to confirm several words from your recovery seed. Confirm on the device itself and the browser. After confirmation, your wallet is ready — send a small test transaction to confirm everything works.

Security best practices

Protect your assets by following these rules: never share your recovery seed; enable passphrase features only if you understand them; keep firmware up-to-date; use a strong PIN; and verify addresses on the device screen before approving any transaction.

  • Physical backup: Consider engraved metal seed backups for fire/flood resistance.
  • Phishing: Only use official URLs and browser bookmarks; do not follow unsolicited links.
  • Testing: Send a small amount first to confirm a new address and setup.

Troubleshooting common issues

If your computer doesn't detect the device, try a different USB port or cable. Restart your browser and ensure browser extensions that interfere with USB (like some VPNs or privacy tools) are disabled temporarily. For firmware errors, consult official support — never install third‑party firmware.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is a recovery seed and why is it important?

A recovery seed is a list of words that encodes your wallet's private keys. If your device is lost or damaged, the seed lets you restore access to your funds on a new device. Keep it offline and secret.

2. Can I store my recovery seed digitally?

No. Storing the seed digitally (photos, cloud storage, text files) exposes it to theft. Use paper or a metal backup and keep it in secure physical locations.

3. What if I forget my PIN?

If you forget your PIN, you must perform a device reset and restore the wallet using your recovery seed. Without the recovery seed, funds cannot be recovered.

4. Is it safe to update firmware?

Yes — updating to the official firmware improves security. Always use the official setup page for firmware updates and verify the device screen during the process. Do not install firmware from unknown sources.

5. Can I use multiple cryptocurrencies on one Trezor?

Yes. Trezor supports many different coins through the official wallet interface and supported third-party wallets. Always verify compatibility for advanced coins and tokens before sending funds.