Trézor.io/Start® | Starting Up Your Device - Trézor

What you will learn (H3)

• How to safely unbox and inspect your device 📦
• How to initialize and record your recovery seed ✍️
• How to set PIN and optional passphrase 🔐
• How to update firmware and verify integrity 🔄
• How to test, recover, and plan for the long term 🛡️

Who this guide is for (H4)

New users, experienced holders wanting a refresher, educators preparing workshops, and organizations planning secure key custody. The language here is original, practical, and avoids jargon where possible. 🌱

Quickstart Checklist ✅ (H2)

Essentials to prepare (H3)

1. Genuine Trézor device (Model T or One) — verify packaging.
2. Computer or phone with internet access and a private space.
3. Pen and durable medium for seed recording (paper and optional metal backup).
4. Time — estimate 20-45 minutes for careful setup.

Quick start steps (H3)

1. Go to trezor.io/start (type the URL, don't click suspicious links) 🔗
2. Follow device prompts to create or recover a wallet 🖥️
3. Write down every recovery word, verify when prompted ✍️
4. Set PIN and optional passphrase 🔑
5. Update firmware if recommended and verify the signature 🔍
6. Send a small test transaction to verify everything works 💸

Quick warnings (H4)

• Never store your seed digitally or in the cloud ☁️🚫
• Always confirm addresses on the device screen — not just on your computer 📺
• Don't trust unsolicited messages asking for your seed or PIN 📵

Step-by-Step Setup (H2)

1. Unboxing & Inspection (H3)

Begin by examining the package. Authentic Trézor devices come with tamper-evident packaging and printed documentation. If anything looks altered, stop and contact official support. It’s worth a few extra minutes to be safe. 🔎

Checklist for inspection (H4)

• Seals intact and packaging undamaged
• Device screen powers on and shows the Trézor logo
• Accessories (cable, recovery card) included

2. Visit Trézor.io/Start (H3)

Open your browser and type trezor.io/start. Avoid search-engine results for this initial step if you're unsure. Check the SSL lock and domain spelling. If you have concerns, use a different device or network. 🛡️

3. Create or Recover a Wallet (H3)

Select "Create new wallet" for a fresh setup or "Recover wallet" if you already have a recovery seed. The device generates the recovery seed internally — it never leaves the device, which keeps it secure. ⚙️

Device-generated seed explained (H4)

The random seed is produced by the device's secure environment. This means the recovery words are shown on the device, not the host computer. This reduces exposure to malware and ensures that your backup is generated from a private source. 🔐

4. Recording & Verifying Recovery Seed (H3)

Write the words clearly, one per line, on both the supplied recovery card and a secondary durable medium (metal backup recommended). After writing, the device will ask you to confirm words to verify accuracy. Don't skip verification. ✍️🧾

Best practices for writing your seed (H4)

• Use at least two physically separated backups.
• Store one backup in a secure location like a safe or deposit box.
• Consider engraving the seed on metal for durability.

5. PIN & Optional Passphrase (H3)

Choose a PIN you can remember but isn't easy to guess (avoid sequential numbers or birth years). For advanced security, use a passphrase — it acts as an additional secret that creates a hidden wallet. Treat passphrases as critically as seeds. 🔑

PIN selection tips (H4)

• Use a mix of digits with nonobvious patterns
• Do not store the PIN with your seed backups
• Change the PIN if you suspect exposure

6. Firmware Updates & Verification (H3)

Firmware updates fix bugs and add features. Always update via the official interface at Trézor.io and verify the update signatures if shown. Never install firmware from unknown sources. 🔄

Updating checklist (H4)

• Back up seed before updating (you already did)
• Download updates from the official website
• Verify cryptographic signatures when prompted

7. First Transaction (H3)

Send a small amount (a "test transfer") to verify both sending and receiving workflows. Confirm the receiving address on the device screen, and only after the test succeeds move larger balances. 💸

Address verification (H4)

Always compare the host-provided address with what the device displays. The Trezor device is your trusted source of truth for address display. ✅

Security Deep-Dive 🛡️ (H2)

How hardware keeps your keys safe (H3)

Private keys are generated and stored in secure hardware and never leave the device. Signing of transactions happens on-device, which prevents keys from being exposed to the host computer. Even if your laptop is compromised, your keys remain isolated. 🔐

Common threat models & defenses (H3)

Phishing (H4)

Phishing imitates official sites. Always type trezor.io/start directly or use bookmarks. Check the SSL lock and certificate. If a page requests your seed, close the page and report it. 🚨

Host malware (H4)

Malware may alter unsigned transaction data displayed on your host. Mitigation: verify transaction details on the device screen, and use the device to confirm addresses and amounts. Keep your host OS updated and use reputable antivirus if desired. 🖥️🔍

Physical theft (H4)

If your device is stolen without the PIN/passphrase, attackers cannot access funds. Use strong PINs and consider passphrase-protected hidden wallets for large holdings. 🚫👤

Backup strategies & redundancy (H3)

Don’t rely on a single backup. Spread backups across locations and media: paper, metal, and a trusted third-party escrow if appropriate. For enterprises, consider Shamir backups or multi-signature schemes. 🗂️

Durable storage options (H4)

• Engraved stainless steel plates
• Bank safe-deposit boxes
• Specialized seed backup services with strong privacy guarantees

Advanced Setup & Options (H2)

Passphrase use-cases (H3)

Passphrases are powerful: they enable hidden wallets and plausible deniability. Use long, memorable passphrases (like a sentence). Remember: forgetting the passphrase means losing access to that hidden wallet permanently. 🧠

Passphrase best practices (H4)

• Use unique passphrases for different hidden wallets
• Never write the passphrase with the recovery seed
• Consider a coded hint stored separately for heirs (but keep the hint innocuous)

Shamir & Multisig (H3)

Shamir backups break your seed into multiple shares; multisig requires multiple signatures to spend. Both improve security but add complexity. Document procedures and test recoveries carefully. ⚙️

When to use multisig (H4)

• Organization treasuries
• Estate planning for distributed trust
• High-value personal holdings where shared custody is desired

Troubleshooting & FAQ (H2)

Device not detected (H3)

Try a different USB cable, port, or host. Ensure that the Trezor Bridge or Suite (official) is installed and updated. Restart host machine if necessary. 🔌

Forgot PIN (H3)

If you forget the PIN, reset the device and restore from your seed. PINs are intentionally non-recoverable to maintain security. 🧾

Seed verification issues (H3)

If word confirmations fail, stop and re-initiate the flow. Verify that you used the correct language/wordlist and that each word is spelled correctly. Do not proceed without a verified seed. ⚠️

Common questions (H4)

• Can I type my seed into a password manager? No — avoid digital storage of seeds whenever possible.
• Is the seed language changeable? Some devices support multiple languages; choose one you understand perfectly.

Recovery Planning & Long-Term Strategy (H2)

Estate & succession planning (H3)

Plan for heirs using secure, legally sound methods. Avoid putting your seed in a will in plain text. Instead, create sealed instructions or use a trust with encrypted documentation accessible only to the executor under specific conditions. 🏛️

Succession templates (H4)

Below is a simple, non-legal template you can adapt for discussion with your lawyer:

Succession Note (sample):
I, [Name], authorize my executor [Executor Name] to access my cryptocurrency holdings using the sealed backup contained at [Location]. The backup method is described in a separate sealed envelope. The recovery seed is NOT to be written in the will.

Periodic checks & maintenance (H3)

Every 6-12 months, confirm that backups are intact, firmware is current, and access instructions are still secure. Re-verify in-person with trusted parties if shared custody is part of your plan. 🔄

Glossary & Quick Definitions (H2)

Seed (H3)

A series of words representing your private key — used to recover wallets. Handle as a critical secret. 📝

PIN (H3)

Numeric code that protects local access to the device. Not recoverable without seed. 🔒

Passphrase (H3)

An optional additional secret that creates hidden wallets — treat like a password. 🔐

Firmware (H3)

Software running on the device that can be updated to improve security or add features. 🔧

Printable Checklist & Quick Reference (H2)

Use this list to print and tick off as you set up your device:

1. Unbox & inspect device ✅
2. Visit trezor.io/start ✅
3. Create wallet / Recover wallet ✅
4. Record seed in two locations ✅
5. Set PIN & test passphrase (optional) ✅
6. Update firmware if required ✅
7. Perform test transaction ✅
8. Store backups securely (safe, bank, metal) ✅

Examples & Case Studies (H2)

Case: Single user safely storing funds (H3)

Maria sets up a Trézor One for her personal savings. She records the seed twice: paper locked in a home safe and a metal backup in a bank deposit box. She uses a 6-digit PIN, no passphrase, and keeps firmware updated. When she moved funds from an exchange, she performed a test transfer first. A year later, she needed to access funds and the pr