Trezor.io/Start — Official Start Page

Introduction

Welcome to the official Trezor start page. This guide walks you step‑by‑step through everything you need to do when you receive a Trezor device — from unboxing to advanced security tips. It is written for beginners and advanced users alike; follow device prompts and perform verification steps on the device’s screen whenever possible.

What you'll need

• A Trezor device (Model T or Trezor One) purchased from Trezor’s official store or an authorized reseller.
• A desktop computer (Windows, macOS, or Linux) for initial setup (desktop Suite recommended).
• USB cable included with the device (or compatible cable); for Model T, a USB‑C cable may be used.
• Access to https://trezor.io/start to download Trezor Suite and access official resources.
• Pen and the recovery seed card that came with your device (or a metal backup solution if preferred).

Security warning: Do not use a device received from a third‑party marketplace without verifying packaging. Never share your recovery seed, and never enter it into any website, application, or form.

Unboxing & initial physical checks

1. Inspect the packaging for tamper seals and integrity. If the packaging appears opened or altered, contact the vendor or Trezor support.
2. Confirm the included items: the Trezor device, recovery seed card, USB cable, and quick start materials.
3. Keep the box and receipt for warranty and record‑keeping purposes.

Download & verify Trezor Suite

1. Open your browser and navigate to https://trezor.io/start. Use this official page — do not follow unverified search results or emailed links.
2. Download Trezor Suite for your operating system (Windows, macOS, Linux). Prefer the desktop Suite for initial setup and firmware management.
3. When available, verify the download using the provided SHA256 checksum or PGP signature on the official site to ensure the installer hasn't been tampered with.

Why verify? Verifying the installer prevents man‑in‑the‑middle or download‑site compromises from delivering modified installers that could attempt to phish your seed or alter device behavior.

Initialize your device — step by step

Follow these steps in Trezor Suite to initialize safely:

1. Connect the Trezor device to your computer using the included cable. Unlock the device when prompted.
2. In Trezor Suite, select Create new device (or Recover existing device if you already have a seed).
3. Choose a PIN directly on the device when prompted. Avoid obvious PINs (e.g., birthdays).
4. The device will generate a recovery seed. Write each word in order on the provided recovery card. Confirm the words on the device when prompted.
5. Store the recovery card in a secure offline location (safe, safety deposit box, or metal backup for disaster resilience).

Never type or photograph your seed. Never share it. Anyone with the seed can access your funds.

Firmware update — do this early

After initialization, Trezor Suite will typically prompt for a firmware update if one is available. Firmware updates improve security and compatibility — install them as instructed:

1. Follow Suite prompts to download and install firmware. Confirm checksums or signatures if shown.
2. During the update, follow instructions on the device screen exactly; do not disconnect the device while flashing.
3. When the update completes, verify device behavior and that your seed restores accounts (you should not need to test by wiping the device unless doing migration).

Understanding seeds, passphrases & hidden wallets

Your recovery seed is the master key to all wallets derived from it. Trezor supports optional passphrases — an extra secret that creates hidden wallets. Passphrases increase security but introduce risk: if you lose the passphrase, the hidden wallets are irrecoverable. Use passphrases only with a reliable backup strategy and clear documentation stored offline.

Adding accounts & supported assets

1. In Trezor Suite, navigate to the Accounts tab and click Add account.
2. Select the cryptocurrency (Bitcoin, Ethereum, etc.) and let Suite scan for addresses derived from your seed.
3. Label accounts to track purpose (e.g., Savings, Spending, Exchange).

Not all assets are supported natively in Suite; for unsupported coins you may use Trezor‑compatible third‑party wallets. Always follow official integration guides available on the Trezor website.

Receive crypto — how to verify addresses

1. Select the account and click Receive in Suite.
2. Suite will show a receiving address; confirm that the exact same address appears on your Trezor device screen before sharing it with senders.
3. Prefer generating a fresh address for each incoming transfer when practical to improve privacy.

Address confirmation on the device is the definitive protection against clipboard malware or address substitution attacks.

Send crypto — safe signing workflow

1. Open the account and click Send.
2. Enter the recipient address, amount and select the fee priority.
3. Proceed to device confirmation. Read the recipient address, amount and fees on the device screen and only approve if everything matches your intent.

If the display on the device differs from your expected details, cancel and investigate immediately — do not approve mismatched transactions.

Swaps, fiat on‑ramps & third‑party services

Trezor Suite may integrate swap and on‑ramp partners to buy, sell or exchange tokens. When using third‑party services:

• Review rate quotes, slippage, and partner fees carefully before confirming a swap.
• Know that some services require KYC and may impose withdrawal or holding limits.
• Confirm any on‑chain steps and approve each signature on your device as prompted.

Backup strategies & physical protection

Consider creating durable backups of your recovery seed (e.g., stamped steel plates) and store them across geographically separated secure locations. Evaluate physical risks (fire, flood, theft) and choose safeguards accordingly. For very high value holdings consider multi‑party custody or a split‑seed / Shamir backup solution where appropriate.

Troubleshooting common issues

Device not recognized

Try a different USB cable and port, restart Trezor Suite, verify Bridge/WebUSB is running, and ensure your OS permissions allow USB access. On Linux, verify udev rules are installed.

Missing balances

Ensure you added the correct account type and allow Suite to finish scanning. If using third‑party wallets, check derivation path settings. Funds are recoverable with your seed even if balances don't show immediately.

Firmware update issues

If a firmware update fails, reconnect and retry. Consult Trezor support and provide logs if needed. Do not use unofficial firmware sources.

Advanced topics & developer notes

Developers integrating Trezor into custom flows should use official SDKs and documentation. For advanced users, custom derivation paths, passphrase management and developer modes exist — use them carefully and document configurations offline to avoid lockout.

Security checklist

• Buy only from official sellers
• Verify Suite downloads and installer checksums
• Record and secure your recovery seed offline
• Always confirm details on the device screen before approving
• Install firmware updates from official sources
• Consider metal backups for long‑term resilience

Where to get official support

For official help, guides and troubleshooting, visit https://trezor.io/start and Trezor’s support center at https://trezor.io/support. Avoid third‑party instructions unless they are explicitly endorsed by Trezor documentation.