Understanding the Trezor.io Start Process

Trezor.io/Start provides clear, step-by-step guidance for new users to initialize their hardware wallet. A Trezor device never arrives pre-configured — your private keys are generated within the device itself during setup. This design ensures that no third party, including the manufacturer, ever has access to your wallet credentials. The entire process is built around the principle of offline key generation and verification.

Unboxing and Authenticity Check

Before connecting your device, verify its packaging. Every Trezor is sealed with a holographic label to confirm that it has not been opened or modified. If the seal appears damaged, do not proceed with setup. Authenticity is the foundation of hardware security.

Step 1: Connecting Your Trezor

Plug your Trezor device into a trusted computer using the supplied USB cable. When powered on, it displays a welcome screen and prompts you to begin setup. Follow the on-screen instructions carefully, and only confirm actions displayed on the device’s own screen.

Step 2: Installing Verified Firmware

New devices are shipped without firmware for maximum security. During setup, you will install the verified Trezor firmware, which contains the secure operating system for the wallet. This step confirms that your device runs only authentic, cryptographically signed code. The firmware signature is verified automatically after installation, ensuring integrity.

Step 3: Creating Your Hardware Wallet

Once firmware installation is complete, you will create a new wallet. The device generates a random seed internally and derives all private and public keys from it. These keys are never exposed to your computer or the internet. From this moment, your Trezor becomes the sole custodian of your wallet’s cryptographic identity.

Step 4: Writing Down the Recovery Seed

The recovery seed — a sequence of 12, 18, or 24 words — is displayed once on your Trezor screen. Write it down carefully on the provided recovery card using pen and paper. Do not take photos, store it digitally, or share it with anyone. This recovery seed allows you to restore your wallet if your device is lost, damaged, or reset.

Keep your written seed in a secure, offline location such as a safe or protective metal backup. This phrase is your ultimate access key — whoever holds it can control your wallet.

Step 5: Setting a Secure PIN

Your next step is to create a personal PIN for the device. The PIN protects against unauthorized physical access. Every incorrect attempt increases the waiting time exponentially, making it extremely difficult for anyone to guess. The PIN verification happens entirely inside the Trezor — it is never transmitted or stored externally.

Step 6: Exploring the Wallet Interface

After completing setup, you can open your wallet interface to view balances, generate new addresses, and prepare transactions. Each operation that moves funds requires direct approval on your Trezor screen. This physical confirmation ensures your authorization is genuine, even if your connected computer were compromised by malware.

Protecting Your Recovery Seed

The recovery seed is the only method to restore your wallet. Without it, your assets cannot be recovered. To maximize safety, store the seed in multiple secure physical locations, ideally in waterproof and fireproof containers. Never store or type the words into a digital device or website.

Advanced Feature: Passphrase Protection

For additional privacy, Trezor devices offer optional passphrase protection. Adding a passphrase creates a new, hidden wallet derived from the same recovery seed. Each unique passphrase leads to a separate wallet, providing flexible account management. However, if a passphrase is forgotten, access to that hidden wallet cannot be recovered.

When to Reset or Recover

If you lose your PIN or suspect tampering, you can reset the device to factory state. Resetting erases all stored data and returns the wallet to its uninitialized condition. You can then recover your original wallet using your recovery seed. This process ensures your assets remain protected and recoverable, even if the hardware becomes unusable.

Security Best Practices

• Purchase your device only from authorized sources.
• Verify packaging and holographic seals before use.
• Write down your recovery seed and keep it offline.
• Never photograph or store the seed digitally.
• Use a strong and unique PIN code.
• Approve all transactions on the device screen only.
• Update firmware through verified channels when prompted.
• Keep your device in a secure physical location.