Trezor.io/start — Get Started with Your Trezor Device

Follow this friendly, carefully designed guide to set up your Trezor hardware wallet, secure your recovery, and learn best practices to keep your crypto safe. This page presents multiple visual formats and soft light color themes so you can pick the layout that fits your training or printed handout.

Quick start — 7 clear steps

A concise checklist you can scan in a minute. Each step appears in more detail below in the stepper.

1

Unbox and check the seal

Confirm the tamper-evident packaging is intact. Only proceed if the box looks factory-sealed.

2

Connect to Trezor.io/start

Open your computer browser and visit Trezor.io/start (type it exactly). This official page launches the Trezor setup experience.

3

Update firmware (if prompted)

Only install firmware updates from the official Trezor site. Firmware ensures security patches are applied.

4

Create a new wallet

Choose “Create new” to generate your device seed. Use the device screen — never enter seeds on a connected computer.

5

Write down your recovery seed

Use the included recovery cards or a secure metal backup. Do not take photos or store the seed digitally.

6

Set a PIN

Choose a PIN you can remember. The PIN protects the device from unauthorized use even if it is physically stolen.

7

Receive and test a small deposit

Send a small amount of crypto to confirm everything works. Only then move larger sums.

Safety checkpoint

Never share your recovery seed. The seed is the master key for your funds. Trezor staff or support will never ask for it.

Three presentation formats

Use the format that suits your audience: Training slide, printable handout, or a concise single-page cheat sheet. Each block below uses a slightly different color accent and layout style.

Slide-style (training)

  • One concept per slide: Device, Seed, PIN, Transactions
  • Use screenshots from Trezor.io/start to show the UI
  • Practice a live setup with a demo device (no funds)
Slide example

Slide: "Write your recovery seed" — show device screen, show recovery card mockup, emphasize no photos.

Printable handout

Top 5 Do's

  1. Verify box seal
  2. Use official site: Trezor.io/start
  3. Write seed on paper or metal
  4. Keep seed in secure place
  5. Test small deposits first

Top 3 Don'ts

  • Don't share your seed
  • Don't store seed digitally
  • Don't use unverified firmware sources

Cheat sheet

URL

Trezor.io/start

Time

~10–15 minutes to setup

Must-have

Recovery card, PIN, USB cable

Security deep-dive & best practices

This section explains why each step matters, and how to harden your setup to reduce risk of loss or theft.

Why the recovery seed matters

The recovery seed is a human-readable representation of the private key that controls your funds. Anyone with access to this seed can recreate your wallet from any compatible hardware or software wallet. Therefore, protecting the seed is the same as protecting the money inside.

Writing the seed: paper vs metal

Paper is easy and inexpensive, but vulnerable to fire, water, and decay. Metal backup plates prevent physical degradation and should be stored in a secure location like a safe deposit box.

Splitting a seed (Shamir & multi-location)

Advanced users sometimes split a seed across multiple locations or use Shamir Backup schemes. These approaches reduce single-point-of-failure risk but increase recovery complexity — document your plan and test it.

Protecting the device

The device is designed to keep keys offline. Treat the hardware as a secure element. Use a PIN and consider a passphrase for additional protection — but beware, passphrase management must be meticulous as losing a passphrase is equivalent to losing access.

Firmware and software hygiene

Only install firmware updates through the official flow at Trezor.io/start. Use trusted software wallets that explicitly state Trezor compatibility. Avoid browser extensions or apps from unknown sources.

Common attack vectors

Troubleshooting & recovery scenarios

Common issues and how to resolve them without exposing your seed.

Device not recognized

Try a different USB cable or port. Reboot the computer. Make sure you are using the official Trezor Bridge or WebUSB flow recommended at Trezor.io/start.

Forgot PIN

If you forget your PIN you must perform a device reset and restore from your recovery seed. This is why a secure, accessible backup of the seed is critical.

Lost device

If your Trezor is lost or stolen, obtain a new device and restore your wallet using the recovery seed. Optionally, move funds to a new wallet created on the new device if you suspect the seed is compromised.

Suspected seed leak

Assume it is compromised — immediately move funds to a brand new wallet and seed that you create in a secure environment.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is Trezor compatible with my cryptocurrency?

Trezor supports a wide range of cryptocurrencies. For the most up-to-date compatibility list, visit the official compatibility page from the wallet interface after navigating to Trezor.io/start. Most major coins (BTC, ETH, LTC, ADA, etc.) are supported through native or third-party integrations.

2. What happens if I lose my device?

If your device is lost, your funds remain safe as long as your recovery seed and PIN are secure. Order a replacement from authorized vendors and restore your wallet using your recovery seed. Do not restore your seed on an untrusted or unknown device.

3. Can someone else recover my accounts if they find my seed?

Yes. The recovery seed is the master key. Anyone with the seed can import it into a compatible wallet and access your funds. Keep it offline, avoid photos and digital backups, and use secure physical storage like a safe or bank vault.

4. How should I store my recovery seed long-term?

Prefer metal backup plates that resist fire and water for long-term durability. Use multiple geographically separated locations for redundancy. Label backups clearly but avoid obvious wording like “crypto seed” on visible containers.

5. Is it safe to use third-party wallets with Trezor?

Many reputable third-party wallets are compatible and safe to use with Trezor, but verify official compatibility statements. Keep the device firmware up to date and always confirm transaction details on the device screen before approving.

Printable one-page handout (compact)

Quick checklist

  1. Go to Trezor.io/start
  2. Follow official setup flow
  3. Write down seed offline
  4. Store seed securely
  5. Test with a small deposit

Emergency actions

  • If seed may be compromised — move funds to a new wallet
  • If device lost — restore on new device with seed
  • Contact official support only for non-seed issues