1. Why use a Trezor hardware wallet?
Hardware wallets like Trezor keep your private keys offline, away from malware and phishing websites. They act as a secure vault: when you sign a transaction, the device does the cryptographic work inside the locked hardware and only releases the signed transaction — never your private keys. For anyone holding long-term funds or seeking an extra layer of control, this dramatically reduces risk compared to software-only wallets.
Think of it as a physical safe for your seed phrase and private keys. It’s portable, simple to use, and made intentionally to be auditable and open — a focused tool with the single job of keeping your crypto keys safe.
2. What you’ll need before you start
- Your Trezor device (Model T or One), its original box, and the included USB cable.
- A computer or phone with a modern browser and an internet connection (you will visit trezor.io/start).
- A clean, quiet place to write down your recovery seed — preferably on the included recovery card or using a steel backup for higher durability.
- Time and focus: the initial setup takes 10–20 minutes. Double-check URLs and avoid public or shared computers.
3. Go to trezor.io/start and connect
Open your browser and navigate to trezor.io/start. This page will guide you to install the official Trezor Suite or use the recommended web interface. Connect your Trezor device using the supplied cable — you should see a friendly welcome screen on the device asking to confirm the connection.
IMPORTANT: Only use the official Trezor page and software. Bookmark the URL and verify TLS/HTTPS in the browser. If anything looks suspicious (unexpected prompts, unofficial downloads), disconnect immediately and verify the official site.
4. Initialize the device & create a PIN
Follow the on-screen prompts to initialize your device. You’ll be asked whether to create a new wallet or recover an existing one. Choose "Create new" if this is your first time. The device will show a random seed phrase — write it down exactly and keep it offline.
Create a strong PIN when prompted. The PIN protects your device if it is lost or stolen. Choose a PIN you can remember but that’s not trivially guessable; the device will ask you to confirm it by pressing the physical buttons, preventing remote tampering.
5. Backup & recovery (seed phrase)
Your recovery seed is the master key to your funds. Store it offline, ideally on the supplied recovery card or a metal backup. Never photograph or store the seed on a cloud service, email, or phone. Consider redundancy — multiple copies in separate, secure locations — but ensure they are protected.
If your device is lost, damaged, or stolen, the seed lets you recover your wallet on a new Trezor or any compatible recovery tool. Treat the seed like a physical bearer instrument: whoever controls it controls the crypto.
6. Final checks & best practices
- Verify the device firmware via Trezor Suite before moving funds. Firmware integrity checks prevent tampered hardware.
- Enable passphrase support only if you understand the model: passphrases provide additional security but add complexity in recovery.
- Keep small test transactions first — send a small amount to verify addresses and the signing process before large transfers.
- Never share your recovery seed, PIN, or passphrase with anyone. Trezor support will never ask for your seed.
With these steps followed, your Trezor will be your secure gateway to managing crypto with confidence.