Your guide to setting up a secure hardware wallet in a modern, step-by-step way.
Welcome to Trezor.io/Start — your first step toward controlling your digital assets with maximum security. This page is designed as a complete, easy-to-follow manual for setting up your Trezor hardware wallet. With more than a decade of innovation in cryptocurrency security, Trezor has built a reputation as one of the most reliable solutions for storing Bitcoin, Ethereum, and thousands of other tokens.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything — from unboxing your Trezor device to configuring your PIN, installing firmware, and understanding the best practices for keeping your assets safe. If you’ve been overwhelmed by other tutorials, don’t worry: this walkthrough is designed to be clear, practical, and actionable.
Cryptocurrency wallets fall into two main categories: hot wallets and cold wallets. Hot wallets are connected to the internet and, while convenient, they remain vulnerable to malware, phishing, and server breaches. Trezor belongs to the cold wallet category, meaning your private keys never leave the device and remain offline.
Key Advantages of Trezor:
By choosing Trezor, you’re not just buying a piece of hardware — you’re adopting a philosophy of self-custody. You’re ensuring that nobody but you has control over your digital wealth.
Setting up your Trezor is simple, but each step requires attention to detail. Let’s break it down:
When your Trezor arrives, ensure the packaging is sealed and untampered. Genuine Trezor devices come with holographic seals. Never use a device if the packaging seems suspicious.
Use the provided USB cable to connect your Trezor to your computer. Open your browser and visit trezor.io/start to download Trezor Suite.
Trezor Suite is the official companion app, available for Windows, macOS, and Linux. Once installed, open the app, and it will detect your device.
Your device may come without firmware installed. Trezor Suite will guide you through installing the latest version. Firmware is signed and verified by Trezor to prevent tampering.
Select “Create Wallet” in Trezor Suite. You’ll be asked to generate a recovery seed phrase — 12, 18, or 24 words. Write these words down on paper and keep them safe offline.
Create a secure PIN for unlocking your Trezor. Avoid simple combinations (e.g., 1234 or 0000). This PIN protects against unauthorized access if your device is stolen.
Once your wallet is created, you can start receiving cryptocurrency. Trezor Suite provides account overviews, transaction history, and built-in exchange integrations.
Owning a Trezor is only half of the equation. To maximize your security, follow these best practices:
Remember: if someone gains access to your recovery seed, they gain full control of your funds. Treat it with the same care as your bank vault key.
If you lose your device, you can restore your wallet on a new Trezor (or any BIP39-compatible wallet) using your recovery seed.
While no device is 100% hack-proof, Trezor’s design ensures private keys never leave the device. Remote hacks are virtually impossible. Physical attacks require advanced skills and access to your PIN or recovery phrase.
Yes, Trezor can store Ethereum-based tokens, including NFTs. You can view and manage them through third-party interfaces like Metamask while keeping your keys secure on the device.
Both are respected hardware wallets. Trezor is fully open-source and integrates with more third-party apps. Ledger, however, supports Bluetooth. The choice comes down to transparency vs. convenience.