Trézor.io/Start — Getting™ Started & Trezor Hardware Wallet (Official)

A friendly, clear, and modern guide to unpacking, initializing, and owning your hardware wallet — written as a beautiful single-file React component.

Why a hardware wallet? (Short answer)

If you own cryptocurrencies, you own private keys. A hardware wallet like Trezor moves those keys into a small, tamper-resistant device so your funds are controlled by you — not an exchange or a custodial third party. Think of it like shifting from a shared bank vault to a personal, digital safe.

First steps — unboxing & safety

When your Trezor arrives, treat the packaging like evidence. Check the seal and holographic tape for signs of tampering. If anything looks off, don’t proceed; contact official support immediately. Trezor recommends starting at their official onboarding URL and using Trezor Suite for the guided experience.

Set up in about 15 minutes

The official onboarding flow is built to be short and methodical. Plug in your device, open Trezor Suite or visit trezor.io/start, and follow the prompts: install firmware (if needed), create or recover a wallet backup, set a PIN, and optionally enable additional protections like passphrases. The whole process commonly takes around fifteen minutes for most users.

Firmware, PIN, and the new "wallet backup"

Your device may ship without firmware installed — this is intentional. Firmware ensures the latest security fixes and feature updates. After firmware is installed, you will create a secure wallet backup (Trezor now prefers the phrase "wallet backup" over the older term "recovery seed"), which is the human-readable phrase that restores your wallet. Record it offline and never photograph or store it on cloud services.

Next, set a PIN on the device to prevent unauthorized physical use. The PIN is an essential layer — combine it with your backup and an optional passphrase for a strong defense-in-depth model.

Model notes — One, Model T, and newer Safe devices

Different Trezor models share the same core security philosophy but vary in features. The Model One is straightforward and battle-tested; by default it uses a 24-word backup (12 and 18-word formats are supported for recovery). The Model T and the newer Safe family add touchscreens, improved UX, and additional features for power users. Choose the device that matches your comfort level and the assets you plan to protect.

Using Trezor Suite — manage, send, and receive

Trezor Suite is the official desktop and web companion app. It connects to your hardware wallet to show balances, create transactions, swap assets, and manage device settings. Always verify the receiving addresses on the Trezor screen itself — not only in the app — to avoid display-hijack attacks.

Backup hygiene & real-world best practices

Writing your wallet backup on paper is still best practice; using metal plates or other fireproof media improves durability. Store copies in separate secure locations (e.g., a safe deposit box, a trusted family member, or a lawyer) and avoid putting backups in the cloud, email, or photos. Regularly rehearse the recovery process on a device you can reset — practicing avoids panic if the unexpected happens.

Passphrase — optional, powerful, dangerous if lost

A passphrase is an extra word (or sentence) appended to your backup that creates a totally separate set of keys. It’s a powerful safety tool — but if you forget it, the coins are irretrievable. Treat passphrases like a second secret: write them down and store them separately, or use a secure mnemonic system.

Moving coins & long-term ownership

After setup, practice by sending a small test amount from an exchange or hot wallet to your Trezor address. Once confirmed, you can move larger amounts. Remember: long-term ownership is less about perfect secrecy and more about resilient procedures — backups, redundancy, and trusted recovery plans.

When to get expert help

If you’re storing very large sums, managing multisig, or simply prefer hand-holding, Trezor offers expert onboarding sessions. These guided, one-on-one sessions walk through secure initialization and advanced features so you leave with confidence.

Quick checklist before you finish

  • Verify packaging integrity and holographic seals.
  • Install latest firmware via Trezor Suite.
  • Create and securely store your wallet backup (offline).
  • Set a PIN and (optionally) a passphrase.
  • Send a small test transaction to verify everything works.
  • Consider a metal backup for durability.