Trezor.io/Start | Starting Up Your® Device
Start your hardware wallet — secure your crypto
Easy, step-by-step onboarding for first-time setup, backup, and safe recovery practices.
Beginner-friendly • Offline-first
Overview
This guide walks you through unboxing, initial power-up, device initialization, and secure recovery seed handling. Follow each step carefully — the security of your funds depends on your seed phrase and how you protect it.
1
Unbox & verify packaging
Inspect the device packaging for tamper evidence. Only proceed if the seal and holograms (if provided) appear intact. Always buy hardware wallets from authorized sellers.
2
Connect to your computer
Use the supplied cable to connect the device to a trusted computer. Open the official companion app or web interface recommended by the manufacturer — never use third-party installers you don’t trust.
3
Create device PIN
Choose a PIN that you can remember but isn’t easily guessable. The PIN protects the device from local attackers and brute force attempts.
4
Write down your recovery seed
When prompted, write the recovery words on the supplied card or a robust offline medium. Do this offline — do not photograph, copy to cloud, or store digitally. Keep multiple physical backups in secure, geographically-separated locations.
5
Verify your seed and finish setup
The device will ask you to confirm some seed words to validate you wrote them down correctly. Complete the checks, update firmware if asked, and transfer a small test amount first.
Practical checklist
- Buy from official source
- Verify tamper seal
- Initialize device in a safe environment
- Create a PIN and write the seed physically
- Test with a small amount before large transfers
Security tips
Never share your recovery words. If someone gets your seed and PIN, they can steal funds. Keep firmware up to date but only install updates from the official site. Consider using a passphrase (an extra secret word) for additional protection — but remember it cannot be recovered by the manufacturer.
When something goes wrong
If the device is lost or damaged, use your recovery seed on a compatible device to restore access. If you suspect compromise, move funds to a new wallet that you initialize securely, then destroy the potentially compromised seed.
Q: Can I store the seed digitally?
A: No. Storing it digitally (photos, cloud, text files) exposes it to theft.Q: Is the device safe to use when firmware updates are required?
A: Yes — update only via the official companion application or instructions from the device maker.
Quick references
Seed length: 12, 18, or 24 words — copy exactly. PIN: Protects local access; use something memorable but not obvious. Passphrase: Optional extra layer — treat it like another password.
Restore checklist
- Get a trusted device
- Enter seed words exactly
- Set a new PIN
- Verify wallets and addresses
Learn more
Read official setup docs from your hardware wallet maker. This page is an educational example and not an official manufacturer page.
Official docs© Setup guide — this is a sample page for educational purposes only. Always refer to your device manufacturer's official instructions.