Trezor.io/Start® | Starting™ Up Your Device | Trezór

Overview: What this presentation covers

Quick summary

This presentation provides step-by-step guidance to get a Trezor hardware wallet started securely. It walks through the prerequisites, physical device setup, firmware checks, initializing a new wallet, creating and verifying a recovery seed, plus essential security best practices and troubleshooting tips. The content is written to fit a 1500-word, single-file HTML presentation suitable for screen sharing, printing, or saving as a PDF.

Colors used: Cyan accent for primary actions, violet for secondary highlights, deep navy background for contrast, and warm red/green only for warnings/confirmation states.

Prerequisites

Before you begin

• Ensure you have a Trezor device (Model T or Model One) and the original USB cable.
• Use a secure computer that is free of malware and has an up-to-date browser.
• Do not use public or shared computers for initial setup. A private, offline-friendly environment is best.
• Have a pen and the provided recovery card (or a dedicated notebook) ready — never store recovery words digitally.

Tip: disable unnecessary browser extensions during setup to reduce attack surface.

Step 1 — Connect & Power

Plug the device in

Connect your Trezor to the computer using the supplied cable. The device will display a welcome screen with a unique boot animation. If your device shows an unexpected screen or asks for a PIN you did not set, disconnect and seek support. The initial connection may trigger a firmware check; allow the process to complete while following on-screen instructions.

If the device requires charging (rare), use the cable and a trusted power source instead of an unknown USB hub.

Step 2 — Firmware & Authenticity

Verify firmware and authenticity

Always update to the latest official firmware using the official Trezor web or desktop app at Trezor.io/Start. The device and the app will guide you to verify authenticity: a cryptographic check and sometimes a visual prompt that confirms the device is genuine. Do not accept firmware updates from third-party websites or unknown sources.

Security highlight: firmware updates often patch critical vulnerabilities — install them promptly, but only from official channels.

Step 3 — Initialize & Create a Wallet

Set up a new wallet

Follow the on-screen prompts to create a new wallet. When asked, choose to create a new backup (recommended). The Trezor will generate a recovery seed — a series of words that recovers your funds if the device is lost or damaged. Write these words down in order, on paper, using a permanent pen. Never store your seed as a photo, screenshot, or in cloud storage.

Important: verify the words on the device when asked — this ensures the seed written down matches the device's seed.

Step 4 — Set a PIN & Optional Passphrase

Protect local access

Set a strong numeric PIN on the device to protect against physical access. Choose a PIN length that balances memorability and security. Optionally, enable a passphrase (BIP39 passphrase) for an additional hidden wallet layer; a passphrase acts like a 25th seed word and must be remembered exactly — if lost, funds in the passphrase-protected wallet cannot be recovered.

Caution: using a passphrase increases security but also increases the risk of permanent loss if forgotten — use only if you're comfortable managing it safely.

Security Best Practices

Keep your assets safe

• Never reveal your recovery seed, even to support representatives.
• Always check the device screen for addresses when signing transactions — do not trust only the computer screen.
• Use a hardware wallet for long-term storage and consider a separate "hot" wallet for daily spending.
• Store the recovery seed in multiple secure physical locations (safe deposit box, home safe) when appropriate.

If you suspect your device or seed has been compromised, move funds to a newly initialized wallet immediately.

Troubleshooting

Common issues and fixes

If the device is unresponsive: try a different USB cable and port. For connectivity issues, restart your browser or use the official desktop app. If the device reports unexpected firmware: do not proceed and contact official support channels. If you lose the device but have the recovery seed, you can restore to a new Trezor or a compatible wallet. If you lose both device and seed, funds cannot be recovered.

When in doubt, consult official documentation and support — avoid community instructions that ask for your seed or private keys.

FAQ

Quick answers

Q: Can I reuse my recovery seed on multiple devices?
A: Yes — the same seed can be used to restore wallets on multiple compatible devices, but treat that seed with the same high level of security.

Q: Is the seed language fixed?
A: Trezor typically uses BIP39 English word lists by default; check device options for language support.

Q: What happens if firmware update fails?
A: Follow on-screen recovery instructions. If the device becomes unusable, you can still restore funds using the recovery seed on a new device.

Conclusion & Next Steps

Wrap up and recommended actions

After initialization, test a small transaction to confirm everything is functioning as expected before moving large amounts. Regularly check for firmware updates and maintain good physical security for the device and recovery seed. Consider reading more advanced materials on multi-signature setups and using a passphrase for extra protection. You are now ready to use your Trezor to manage private keys with strong, device-backed security.