Welcome to the Official Trézor® Startup Guide | Trézor.io/Start. This guide walks you, step-by-step, through a secure first-time setup of your Trézor hardware device. Whether your primary goal is custody, backup, or everyday use, the procedures below emphasize safety, simplicity, and the new vocabulary you'll need to understand: seed phrase, PIN, firmware, passphrase, and recovery card.
The content below is designed both as a presentation-style reference and a full startup manual. Colors are used intentionally: royal headings to reflect authority, warm accents for actions, and calm backgrounds for safety tips. Follow each numbered step. If you're reading the printed or on-screen version, use the checklist to confirm all critical actions.
When you first open your package, make sure the seal is intact. The device should include the hardware wallet, a recovery card (paper or card stock), a USB cable, and quick start materials. If anything looks tampered with, stop and contact support using official channels only. This is the moment to confirm the authenticity of the product.
Connect the Trézor device to your computer or phone using the supplied cable. The device screen will prompt you to begin. On the host, open your web browser and visit Trézor.io/Start (only type this exact URL). The browser will guide you through pairing prompts.
Verify on-screen the device model matches the package. The setup will check firmware. If a firmware update is required, the device will prompt you. Only allow updates when connected to the official site and you have verified the webpage certificate. Firmware ensures your device is patched against known vulnerabilities.
Choose a PIN that is easy for you to remember but difficult for others to guess. Do not store this PIN digitally. The device will request the PIN on each session. If you forget the PIN and lose access, you will need the recovery seed to restore funds. Never enter your PIN on other websites or devices.
The device will display a seed phrase — typically 12, 18, or 24 words — sometimes called mnemonic or recovery phrase. This is the master key for your funds. Write the words in order on the provided recovery card. Do this offline and in a private location. Never photograph, type, or store the seed on a computer, phone, or cloud account.
IMPORTANT: If someone else obtains your seed phrase, they control your assets.
After writing the seed, the device will ask you to confirm a subset of the words. This proves you recorded them correctly. Only proceed once confirmation completes. Store the recovery card in a secure, offline location (safe, bank deposit box, etc.). Consider creating two secure copies and storing them in different, trusted locations.
An optional passphrase acts as a 25th word — a strong additional layer that creates a hidden wallet. Use a passphrase only if you understand the trade-offs: it increases security but if forgotten, the passphrase-protected wallet is unrecoverable even with the seed. Passphrases should be stored with the same care as seeds but kept secret.
The official web interface or desktop app will prompt you to install or connect. Always use the official website: Trézor.io/Start. The interface helps create accounts for Bitcoin, Ethereum, and many tokens. For advanced users, you may integrate with third-party wallets — verify them independently.
Before moving large sums, send a small test transaction to confirm everything works as expected. Check the receiving address on the hardware device screen (not only on the computer) — always verify the address visually to avoid host compromises. When satisfied, proceed with larger transfers.
Keep your firmware up to date, only use trusted software, and periodically verify the stored recovery seed. Beware of phishing links — always type Trézor.io/Start yourself rather than clicking unknown links. Use unique, strong passwords for any related accounts and enable two-factor authentication where applicable.
Below are clear definitions and best-practice recommendations for the new words and concepts introduced in this guide. Learn each term, because understanding them reduces user error dramatically.
For experienced users who require extra security or multi-user access, consider the following:
Pair Trézor with compatible software to create multi-signature wallets that distribute control across multiple devices. Air-gapped signing allows transaction signatures without exposing keys to an online host. Both increase security but add complexity — document and test every step before relying on them.
Some advanced backup schemes split the recovery information into pieces. If you choose splitting (e.g., Shamir), ensure that each piece is stored securely, in different trusted places, and thoroughly tested.
If you forget your PIN, you can restore your wallet on a new device using the recovery seed. This is why the seed's safety is paramount. Do not attempt to guess repeatedly, as too many wrong attempts may trigger a device wipe.
If the recovery seed is lost and the device is damaged or inaccessible, the funds are likely unrecoverable. This is the single greatest risk; always keep at least one secure backup.
If anything unexpected happens (unprompted device update requests from unknown links, different UI flow, mismatch in addresses), disconnect, power down, and verify the URL and certificate manually. Contact official support channels from the verified site for guidance.
If the device appears frozen, try reconnecting cables or using a different USB port. Avoid forced physical tampering; if hardware faults persist, contact official support for replacement guidance.
Use this small embed for internal documentation that links to the official resource. (For demonstration only; do not paste seeds or PINs.)
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Official Trézor® Startup Guide | Trézor.io/Start
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This Official Trézor® Startup Guide | Trézor.io/Start presentation is meant to be both an accessible walkthrough and a compact presentation you can use to teach others. Key takeaways: protect your seed phrase, never store secrets digitally, verify the official site, and always confirm receiving addresses on the device screen.
Security is a practice, not a one-time setup. Revisit your backups periodically, update firmware as advised by official channels, and keep learning. If you follow these steps and keep the highlighted new words and habits in mind — seed phrase, PIN, firmware, passphrase — you’ll dramatically reduce risk and increase confidence using your Trézor device.