Trezor

trezor.io/start — Official Setup & Security Walkthrough

A friendly, stepwise guide for beginners and intermediate users: how to use the official trezor.io/start onboarding flow, set up Trezor Suite safely, manage seed phrases and passphrases, and troubleshoot common problems.
Audience: beginner → intermediate
Focus: safe onboarding, seed & passphrase care
Related terms: hardware wallet, seed phrase, passphrase, private key, Trezor Suite
Why use trezor.io/start?
The official start page centralizes verified downloads, firmware checks, and step-by-step security guidance you need on first use. Because many hacks begin at the installation phase—fake installers, tampered firmware, phishing pages—following trezor.io/start reduces those early risks and teaches you the core habits of self-custody.
Quick Start — Using trezor.io/start (6 steps)
1
Open the official start page
Type trezor.io/start directly in your browser — do not click links from emails or ads. Confirm the HTTPS lock and the official Trezor branding.
2
Download Trezor Suite
Choose the desktop installer for Windows/macOS/Linux or the web instructions. Prefer the desktop app for onboarding to avoid browser-specific issues.
3
Connect and authenticate
Plug in your Trezor device, open Suite, and follow firmware/update prompts. Suite will verify the device's authenticity before you proceed.
4
Create or restore a wallet
Choose 'Create a new wallet' (recommended) or 'Restore from backup'. If creating, the device will generate a recovery seed — write it down immediately and store offline.
5
Set a strong PIN
Enter the PIN on the device itself. Don’t store the PIN digitally. The PIN protects against unauthorized physical access.
6
Add accounts & verify
Add Bitcoin, Ethereum, and other accounts in Suite. For every receive address and transaction, confirm the value on the device screen — never rely on the computer alone.
trezor.io/start (official) vs Random Setup Guides
Category
trezor.io/start
Unofficial guides
Authenticity
Official, maintained by Trezor
Varies — could be outdated or malicious
Download Safety
Direct links to verified Suite installers
May link to mirrors, ads, or compromised files
Security Guidance
Stepwise warnings (seed, PIN, phishing)
Inconsistent; important steps may be missing
Deep dive — Seed phrase, passphrase, PIN: what they protect
Recovery seed (12/24 words)
This is the ultimate backup of your private keys. Anyone with the seed can fully restore your wallet. Always write it down on the physical recovery card or a metal backup, keep offline, and store in two geographically separated secure spots.
Passphrase (optional)
An extra secret — effectively a 25th word — that generates hidden wallets derived from the same seed. Powerful for privacy but dangerous if forgotten: the passphrase is not stored anywhere and cannot be recovered.
PIN
Local device unlock code. It protects against casual physical theft. A limited number of wrong PIN attempts will wipe the device (this protects assets but requires seed restoration afterwards).
Practical setup tips (do these right now)
  • Type trezor.io/start manually and bookmark it for later.
  • Prefer the desktop Trezor Suite for first-time firmware updates.
  • Write the seed on the printed recovery card and store it in two secure locations.
  • Never enter your seed on a laptop, phone, or cloud service.
  • Confirm every receiving address on the device’s screen — that protects against malware that modifies addresses.
Common problems during onboarding & fixes
Device not detected
Try a different USB cable/port, close other USB-using apps, or use the desktop Suite instead of the web flow. On some systems you may need to allow WebUSB in browser flags.
Firmware update failed
Disconnect & reconnect, ensure Suite is up-to-date, and follow on-device prompts. Never install firmware from third-party sources.
Seed misplaced
If you still have the device, generate a fresh wallet and transfer funds. If seed lost and device gone, funds are irretrievable.
“trezor.io/start is your safety-first checklist — follow it faithfully on day one and you remove the most common risks of self-custody.”
FAQ — short answers
Q: Is trezor.io/start mandatory?
Not legally — but strongly recommended. It links to verified installers and firmware checks that minimize first-run risk.
Q: Can I store my seed phrase digitally?
No. Digital storage (photos, cloud, password managers) is vulnerable. Use paper or a metal backup offline.
Q: If a site asks for my 24 words, what should I do?
It’s a scam. Never input your seed anywhere. Trezor will never request it — the device and Suite handle signing locally.
Conclusion — Start safe, stay safe
The moment you first unbox a Trezor is the most fragile moment of your self-custody journey. Using trezor.io/start gives you a curated, official path: verified downloads, firmware validation, seed hygiene, and device-first verification. Combine those steps with good habits — offline seed backups, PIN discipline, and address verification on-device — and you'll significantly reduce the risk of loss or theft. In short: follow the official start flow, treat your seed and passphrase as the master keys, and let the device + Suite protect your private keys.
Quick checklist (copy offline)
  1. Type trezor.io/start manually and bookmark it.
  2. Download Trezor Suite from the official page.
  3. Initialize device, write your seed offline, set PIN.
  4. Confirm every address on the device before sending.
  5. Consider a metal backup for long-term seed durability.