Overview
What this guide covers
This presentation-style guide walks you through every essential step to set up a Trezor hardware wallet securely: from unboxing and verifying authenticity, to installing Trezor Suite, creating a new wallet, backing up your recovery seed, and performing first transactions. It emphasizes safety best practices and points you toward official resources.
Intended audience
New users who just received a Trezor device, and experienced users who want a clean checklist for secure initialization.
Before you begin
Checklist
- Buy your device from an official store — avoid third-party resellers when possible.
- Use a secure, up-to-date computer and a private internet connection.
- Have a clean surface and a pen for writing your recovery phrase (do not take photos).
- Gather official links for reference (listed at the end).
Security reminders
Never enter your recovery seed online, never share it, and never store it digitally. Treat your seed like the keys to a safe deposit box — physical-only, offline, and never photographed.
Step 1 — Unboxing & authenticity
Inspect packaging
Genuine Trezor packages include tamper-evident seals and clear branding. Confirm that seals are intact and the device shows no signs of tampering.
First power-on
Connect your Trezor using the supplied cable. The device screen should light up and display a boot message. If prompted to update firmware before continuing, allow the update (see official docs).
Step 2 — Install Trezor Suite
Download only from official sources
Visit trezor.io/suite and download the correct build for your operating system. Install and open Trezor Suite to begin pairing your device.
Pairing
Follow on-screen prompts: choose Set up new device, then connect and follow verification steps displayed on the device and in the Suite. Confirm the device fingerprint shown in Suite matches the device screen.
Step 3 — Create / recover wallet
Creating a new wallet
When creating a new wallet, Trezor will generate a recovery seed (a series of 12–24 words). Write these words on the supplied recovery card or a durable backup item immediately and store it offline in a secure location.
Recovering an existing wallet
If you already have a seed, choose Recover wallet and enter your words using the device (not your computer). Allow the device to verify the seed and regenerate your addresses.
Step 4 — Backups & redundancy
Where to store your recovery seed
- Primary: Fireproof safe or bank safe deposit box.
- Secondary: A geographically separated backup (e.g., secure friend/family custody).
- Avoid: Digital photos, cloud storage, or text files.
Advanced backups
Consider steel backup tools for long-term protection against fire and water. Trezor-compatible backup products are available from trusted third-party vendors.
Step 5 — First transactions
Receive test amount
Send a small test amount to a fresh address generated by your Trezor. Confirm the address on the device screen before sending to avoid address-replacement attacks.
Send funds
When sending, always verify the address and amount on the device display. Use the Suite or other supported wallet interface — only approve transactions on the device itself.
Troubleshooting & support
Common issues
- Device not recognized: try a different USB port and official cable.
- Firmware update failed: re-run Suite and follow recovery instructions.
- Seed entry rejected: verify word spellings and sequence carefully.
When to contact support
If you suspect tampering, or if the device behaves unexpectedly, visit official support pages and open a ticket rather than sharing sensitive details in public forums.
Best practices summary
Do
- Download software only from trezor.io.
- Keep multiple physical backups of your recovery seed.
- Use passphrase features only after understanding the risks and benefits.
Don't
- Share your seed or type it into any website or app.
- Use public Wi‑Fi for sensitive actions without a secure VPN.
- Buy used devices without thorough verification.