Trezor.io/Start® — Starting™ Up Your Device

Before you begin — what to prepare

Important: Never share your recovery seed. Trezor support will never ask for your seed, PIN, or passphrase. Keep backups offline and physically secure.

Step 1 — Unbox and inspect your device

1. Check packaging integrity. Ensure tamper-evident seals are intact. If anything looks opened or tampered with, stop and contact the vendor or Trezor support.
2. Confirm model and accessories. Verify you received the right model (Trezor Model T or Model One) and that the USB cable is present. Consult the included quick-start leaflet for device-specific notes.
3. Find your recovery card. Most packages include either printed recovery cards or instructions for recording the seed. Keep this with your backup materials but do not store it near your computer.

Step 2 — Connect the device and visit Trezor.io/start

For safety, always type the URL trezor.io/start directly into your browser or follow the official link from the Trezor website. Avoid search engine links the first time you connect a device to prevent spoofing attacks.

1. Plug in your Trezor. Use the supplied cable and connect your device to a USB port. Wait for the device screen to show a welcome message.
2. Open your browser. Modern browsers like Chrome, Edge, Firefox, or Brave are supported. If the website prompts to install the Trezor Bridge or a browser extension, follow official instructions on the page.
3. Allow connection. When prompted by the site, allow the browser to communicate with the Trezor device. The device will display confirmation messages; always verify text on the device screen before approving.

Step 3 — Install (or update) firmware & verify

When you first connect a brand-new Trezor, the web setup will check firmware. Only proceed with firmware installed from the official Trezor site. Never install firmware from unknown sources.

1. Follow on-screen prompts. The web interface will tell you whether firmware is required. Click Install firmware when prompted.
2. Verify the fingerprint. After the firmware installation, the Trezor device shows a device fingerprint. The web page will also display the same fingerprint. Verify they match before trusting the device.
3. Reboot if needed. Allow the device to restart; the screen will return to the welcome flow after the firmware completes.

If the fingerprint on your device and on the website do not match, disconnect and contact official support. Do not continue without verification.

Step 4 — Create a new wallet (initialize)

Choose Create a new wallet when prompted. The wallet initialization process will generate a recovery seed and let you set a PIN and optional passphrase.

1. Select seed type. Trezor supports different seed lengths (e.g., 12, 18, or 24 words). 24 words is most secure; choose based on your risk tolerance and backup method.
2. Write your seed slowly. The device will display words one by one. Write them exactly in order on the recovery card. Double-check spelling and order — this is the only way to restore your wallet if the device is lost.
3. Set your PIN. The device will ask you to enter a PIN using shuffled on-screen numbers. This prevents keyloggers from guessing your PIN. Choose a 4-8 digit PIN that you can remember but is not trivially guessable.
4. Optional passphrase. A passphrase acts as a 25th seed word and provides plausible deniability and extra security. Only enable a passphrase if you understand how it works; losing it means losing access to funds.

Tip: Use a metal backup plate for long-term storage of your seed if you plan to protect your funds for many years.

Step 5 — Verify your backup

After the seed is recorded, the device may ask you to confirm a few words. This step ensures you recorded the seed correctly.

1. Confirm randomly selected words. When prompted, find and enter the words from your written backup in the correct order.
2. Store backups securely. Keep the written seed in a safe, fireproof, waterproof place. Consider multiple geographically separated copies for disaster protection.

Step 6 — Add accounts and receive test funds

Now that your device is initialized, create cryptocurrency accounts in the Trezor web wallet and test with a small amount before moving large sums.

1. Add accounts. Choose the coin types you want to manage (Bitcoin, Ethereum, etc.). Each account will create receive addresses accessible only when your device is connected and unlocked.
2. Receive a small test amount. Send a small amount (e.g., equivalent of $1–5) to your new address to confirm that receiving and confirming transactions works correctly.
3. Confirm on device. For any outgoing transaction you must approve details on the Trezor device screen. Always verify the recipient address and amount on the device display before approving.

Troubleshooting & common questions

FAQ

1. Can I use the device offline? Yes — the Trezor signs transactions offline while your computer handles broadcasting. This protects private keys from internet exposure.
2. Is the seed readable by Trezor staff? No — the seed is generated and remains on your device. Trezor does not store or transmit your seed.
3. What about firmware updates? Only install firmware from Trezor.io. Always verify firmware fingerprints when prompted.

Security checklist (quick)

• Buy devices from official channels.
• Verify firmware fingerprint after updates.
• Never enter seed into a computer or phone.
• Use a secure PIN and consider a passphrase.
• Keep multiple backups of your seed in separate locations.