1 — Before you begin
Open the box and examine the device and accessories. Trezor devices ship without firmware pre-installed; installing firmware from the official site is part of the setup. Never use third-party firmware or altered installers. If packaging appears tampered with, contact support.
2 — Connect & install Trezor Suite
Visit the official start page and follow prompts to install Trezor Suite (desktop or web). Connect the hardware wallet using the supplied cable. The Suite will detect the device and guide you through installing the latest firmware — this step ensures your wallet runs the correct, signed firmware.
3 — Create a new wallet & make a backup
Choose “Create new wallet” to generate a fresh wallet backup. The device will display a sequence of words (the recovery phrase) which you must write down exactly, in order, on the supplied backup card or a secure medium. This recovery backup is the only way to recover funds if the device is lost, stolen, or damaged. Treat it like bank vault information: offline, private, and duplicated securely if needed.
4 — Set a PIN
Create a PIN on the device to prevent unauthorized local access. The PIN is entered on the Trezor's screen (or via randomized on-screen grid depending on model) and should be memorable to you but hard for others to guess. If you forget the PIN, you must use the recovery backup to restore the wallet on a new device.
5 — Advanced options & passphrase
For additional security, consider using an optional passphrase. A passphrase extends the recovery backup and acts like a second password; without it your recovery words alone won’t unlock accounts that require a passphrase. Use passphrases carefully — if you lose the passphrase and only have the recovery words, that specific hidden wallet is unrecoverable.
6 — Move funds & verify addresses
To receive funds, open an account in the Suite, click Receive, and verify the receiving address on the device screen. Always verify the address on the physical device before sending funds from an exchange or another wallet — this prevents malware from spoofing addresses on your computer.
7 — Safety checklist
Keep your recovery backup offline and secure. Never photograph or type your recovery phrase into a website. Avoid storing backups in a single physical location that could be lost or stolen. Consider metal backup plates for long-term durability. Keep firmware and Suite software up to date to benefit from security improvements.
Troubleshooting & support
If the Suite fails to detect your device, try a different USB cable/port and ensure the cable supports data (not just charging). If the device shows signs of tampering or unexpected behavior, stop and contact official support. For guided help, Trezor offers expert onboarding sessions if you prefer a live walkthrough.