Welcome to Trezor: A Refined Journey to Self-Custody
Start your secure crypto journey in minutes. This guide will walk you through the essential steps to set up your Trezor hardware wallet and Trezor Suite app.
Your First Steps
The journey to ultimate crypto security begins at trezor.io/start. This official gateway ensures you download the authentic Trezor Suite, the desktop or web application designed to be the command center for your hardware wallet. Your Trezor device arrives without firmware, making this first step of installing the latest version crucial for both functionality and security. The Trezor Suite will guide you through this process, which includes a vital authenticity check to confirm your device has not been tampered with.
Fortifying Your Security
Once the firmware is installed, the next critical phase is creating your wallet. You'll be prompted to "Create a new wallet," which generates a unique recovery seed. This seed is a list of words—typically 12 or 24, depending on the model—that serves as your ultimate backup. You must write these words down, in the exact order, on the provided recovery card. It is paramount that you never store a digital copy, take a picture, or share these words with anyone. This seed is the single key to your funds; losing it or compromising it means losing your crypto forever.
Layered Protection
After securing your recovery seed, Trezor Suite will prompt you to set a PIN. This PIN is a primary defense against unauthorized physical access to your device. It’s entered directly on the Trezor screen, with the key layout shuffling each time for added security, protecting you from screen loggers. For an even higher level of security, the passphrase feature allows you to create a "hidden" wallet. This is an additional word that, when used with your recovery seed, creates a completely separate, and highly secure, wallet. This feature is recommended for advanced users who want an extra layer of protection, as a compromised recovery seed alone cannot access the hidden wallet.
Finalizing Your Setup
The final step is to activate the cryptocurrencies you wish to manage within Trezor Suite. This is a customizable process that can be changed at any time. With your Trezor fully set up, you are ready to send, receive, and manage your digital assets with the peace of mind that only true self-custody can provide. Trezor keeps your private keys offline and secure, protecting you from malware, phishing attacks, and exchange hacks. Your Trezor device is a testament to the power of ownership, giving you full control over your financial future.