Trézor.io/start — Begin Your Wallet Setup | TreZor® Official

Jamie Larson

06 Jan 2026 — 5 min read

Welcome to the first and most crucial step in securing your cryptocurrency journey. This guide will walk you through setting up your new Trezor hardware wallet—the original and most trusted cold storage solution since 2013.

At Trezor, we believe security should be simple, transparent, and accessible to everyone. Your device is not just a wallet; it's your personal vault, giving you complete control over your private keys and, therefore, your financial future. Let's begin.

Before You Start

Ensure you have the following ready:

Your new Trezor device (Trezor Safe 3 or Trezor Model T)
The supplied USB-C cable
Your recovery seed card (found in the box)
A computer with an internet connection
Crucial: Only use this guide at trezor.io/start to avoid phishing sites. Bookmark this page for future reference.

Step 1: Install Trezor Suite

Trezor Suite is your secure desktop application for managing all your crypto assets.

Go to suite.trezor.io.
Download Trezor Suite for your operating system (Windows, macOS, or Linux).
Install the application and open it.

Pro Tip: For the highest level of security, always use the downloadable desktop app instead of the web version.

Step 2: Connect & Install

Connect your Trezor device to your computer using the USB cable.
Follow the on-screen prompts in Trezor Suite. If this is a brand-new device, you will be guided to install the latest firmware. This ensures you have all current security patches and features.
Click "Install" and wait for the process to complete. Your device screen will show a progress indicator.

Step 3: Create Your New Wallet

Now, you'll create your personal cryptocurrency vault.

In Trezor Suite, select "Create new wallet."
Choose your backup type:
- Standard Seed Backup (12 words): Recommended for most users. Perfectly secure and easier to manage.
- Shamir Seed Backup (SLIP-39): For advanced security. Splits your recovery seed into multiple shares. Ideal for shared accounts or extra-paranoid storage.

Step 4: The Most Important Step: Backup Your Recovery Seed

Your recovery seed is the master key to your entire wallet. If your Trezor is lost or damaged, this seed is the only way to restore your funds.

Your Trezor device screen will display a list of words, one at a time.
Write down each word in the exact order on your paper recovery seed card. Use a pen.
Never digitize your seed: no photos, no cloud notes, no typing it on a computer.
Store the card in a safe, secure, and private place—like a fireproof safe or safety deposit box.

This is non-negotiable. Whoever has these words owns your crypto. Trezor will never ask for them.

Step 5: Confirm Your Seed

To ensure you recorded the seed correctly, Trezor Suite will ask you to re-enter several of the words by selecting them on your device's screen. This verification step is critical.

Step 6: Set a PIN

Protect your device from physical access with a PIN.

The Trezor screen will show a randomized number grid to prevent snooping.
Using the screen (Model T) or button combinations (Safe 3), set a PIN of your choice (1-50 digits).
Confirm the PIN by entering it a second time.
You will need this PIN every time you connect your device.

Step 7: Name Your Device

Give your Trezor a personal name (e.g., "My Crypto Vault" or "Hardware Wallet 1"). This helps if you use multiple devices.

Step 8: You're Ready!

Your Trezor is now set up and secured. Trezor Suite will open your dashboard. From here you can:

Receive crypto: Get your first receiving address.
Explore assets: Buy, sell, exchange, and manage 1,000+ supported coins and tokens.
Discover features: Try Portfolio Tracker, CoinJoin for Bitcoin privacy, and more.

Why Your Security is Unbreakable

Trezor's design is built on principles that keep you safe:

Air-Gapped Keys: Your private keys are generated and stored offline, inside the secure chip of your Trezor. They never touch your computer or the internet.
Open-Source Transparency: All our software and firmware is open for anyone to inspect and verify—no hidden backdoors.
Physical Confirmation: Every transaction must be manually verified and approved on your Trezor's screen. Malware on your computer cannot alter payment details.
Self-Custody: You own your keys. Not an exchange, not a bank. You.

Advanced Setup & Features

Hidden Wallet (Passphrase): Add an optional passphrase to create a completely hidden wallet. This acts as a 13th/25th word, providing plausible deniability and protection against physical coercion.
Bitcoin-Only Firmware: For maximalists who want firmware dedicated purely to Bitcoin, reducing complexity and potential attack vectors.
FIDO/U2F Authentication: Use your Trezor as a physical security key to log into supported web services like Google, GitHub, and Dashlane.

Your Next Steps

Get Your First Crypto: Use the "Buy" tab in Trezor Suite to purchase cryptocurrency directly to your secure wallet.
Test Your Backup (Recommended): Before sending large amounts, practice recovering your wallet using your seed in a safe environment.
Stay Updated: Enable firmware update notifications in Trezor Suite to always have the latest security enhancements.

Remember: Bookmark trezor.io/start and suite.trezor.io. Be wary of impostor sites and fake support agents. You are now your own bank.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

I lost my recovery seed. What do I do?

If you still have access to your Trezor device and PIN, immediately transfer all funds to a temporary software wallet or exchange. Then, reset your Trezor to generate a new wallet with a new seed, and write down the new seed securely. Finally, send your funds back to the new, secured wallet. If you've lost both your device and your seed, the funds are irretrievable. This underscores the critical importance of the seed backup.

Can I use Trezor with my phone?

Yes, with limitations. You can use Trezor Suite Web via a compatible mobile browser on iOS or Android. For Android, you can connect directly with a USB-OTG cable. For full functionality, including firmware updates, the Trezor Suite desktop app is recommended. Native mobile apps are in development.

My Trezor screen says "Firmware missing" or is stuck. How do I fix it?

This is a normal protective state. Go to suite.trezor.io/web (the web version) in your browser. Connect your device and follow the instructions to re-install the firmware. This process does not affect your wallet if you have your recovery seed.

What happens if Trezor the company disappears?

Your crypto is safe. Trezor devices are built to be independent. Your assets live on the blockchain, accessed by keys secured in your device. You can always recover your wallet using your 12-24 word seed on any compatible software (like Electrum) or hardware wallet, even decades from now. The open-source nature of our software guarantees this.

Is the Shamir Backup (SLIP-39) more secure than a standard seed?

It offers different, more flexible security. A standard 12-word seed is extremely secure against digital attacks. Shamir Backup is designed for physical secret sharing. It allows you to split your secret into, for example, 5 shares, requiring any 3 to recover the wallet. This is ideal for inheritance planning or protecting against the loss/destruction of a single backup card.

I entered my PIN wrong multiple times. Now what?

After 16 consecutive incorrect PIN attempts, the Trezor device will wipe itself to protect against brute-force attacks. This is a security feature, not a malfunction. Don't worry—simply recover your entire wallet using your original recovery seed. All your funds and transaction history will be restored.

Need Help?

📚 Knowledge Base: Our comprehensive help center has answers to every question.
💬 Community Forum: Get help from fellow Trezor users on our community forum.
🛡️ Official Support: Contact our team directly through the "Submit a Ticket" link in Trezor Suite.

Welcome to the world of self-custody. You've made the smartest move for your crypto security.