Starting® Up® Your® Device®
This guide walks you through the official steps to initialize your Trezor hardware wallet®, secure your recovery phrase, update firmware, and connect to Trezor Suite. Follow each step carefully — security depends on correct setup and safe handling of your recovery information.
Step-by-step setup
- Unbox and inspect — Verify packaging seals and included accessories. If anything looks tampered with, stop and contact official support. Only use devices purchased from trusted vendors or directly from Trezor.
- Download Trezor Suite — Visit the official Trezor website and download Trezor Suite for your platform (Windows, macOS, Linux). Trezor Suite is the recommended app for onboarding and device management.
- Connect your device — Plug your Trezor into your computer using the provided USB cable. Trezor will display a welcome screen and prompt you to follow instructions in Trezor Suite.
- Create a new wallet — In Trezor Suite choose Create new. The device will generate a new cryptographic seed and display a short confirmation. At no point should the seed be transmitted to your computer or online services.
- Record your recovery phrase — Trezor will display a recovery phrase (typically 12, 18, or 24 words) on the device screen. Write these words down in order on the provided recovery card or another secure medium. Do not photograph, copy to cloud storage, or type the phrase into a computer. This phrase is the only backup of your wallet.
- Verify recovery — Trezor Suite will ask you to verify a subset of words to confirm that you recorded the phrase correctly. Only proceed once verification succeeds.
- Set device label and PIN — Choose a device label and create a PIN on the device to prevent unauthorized local access. The PIN is not recoverable; losing both the device and recovery phrase means losing access to funds.
- Update firmware — If prompted, update the device firmware via Trezor Suite. Firmware updates include security improvements and new features; follow on-screen instructions and verify firmware signatures when requested.
- Add accounts — Use Trezor Suite to add cryptocurrency accounts for supported chains. The Suite fetches blockchain data to display balances; private keys remain on-device and are never exported.
- Secure storage — Store the written recovery phrase in a secure, offline location. Consider using a fireproof safe, secure deposit box, or a metal backup plate for long-term durability. Consider multiple geographically separated copies if you require redundancy.
Best practices
- Never share your recovery phrase with anyone — legitimate support will never request it.
- Do not enter your seed into websites, apps, or messaging tools.
- Keep firmware and Trezor Suite updated to protect against vulnerabilities.
- Use a strong PIN and consider passphrase protection (advanced users only) for additional security.
Safety & security guidance
Trezor hardware wallets are designed to protect your private keys. The following safety guidance reinforces that protection — treat your recovery phrase as the most sensitive secret you own.
Recovery phrase do’s and don’ts
- Do write the phrase on physical media and store it offline.
- Do consider using multiple backups in different secure locations if you need redundancy.
- Don’t store the phrase in cloud storage, email, photo backups, or password managers.
- Don’t share the phrase with anyone claiming to be support — support will never ask for it.
Advanced: passphrase protection
Trezor supports an optional passphrase (sometimes called the 25th word) which adds an extra layer of security. Use it only if you understand the trade-offs: losing the passphrase means losing access to any accounts protected by it. Passphrases can create hidden wallets and should be handled with extreme care.
Troubleshooting & common issues
If you encounter problems during setup, try the steps below. If issues persist, consult official support channels.
- Device not detected — try a different USB cable or port; avoid USB hubs on initial setup.
- Firmware update failed — restart the device and Suite, and retry. Do not disconnect during an update unless instructed.
- Recovered wallet shows no funds — confirm that you restored the correct seed and used the correct derivation/account settings for the chain.
- PIN forgotten — if you forget your PIN but have the recovery phrase, you can restore on a new device; if the phrase is lost, funds cannot be recovered.
Frequently asked questions
Can I initialize my Trezor without Trezor Suite?
Advanced users can use alternative tools or developer SDKs, but Trezor Suite provides the recommended, user-friendly onboarding flow and verifies firmware authenticity.
What length is the recovery phrase?
Trezor commonly uses 12, 18, or 24-word recovery phrases depending on model and configuration. Always record the exact words shown on your device.
Is a recovery phrase the same as a password?
No. A recovery phrase is a cryptographic seed that can recreate your wallet. Treat it with higher sensitivity than normal passwords.
Download Trezor Suite
Download the official Trezor Suite from the Trezor website. Verify the checksums when provided and follow platform-specific installation instructions. Use Suite for secure onboarding, account management, firmware updates, and transaction signing.