Trezor.io/Start⁕ | Starting Up Your Device™ | start

Practical, user-focused 2500-word style guide to unboxing, setting up, and using your Trezor hardware wallet safely.
Educational content — not official documentation. Always consult the vendor's official resources for final instructions.

Introduction — why this guide

This guide explains how to get your Trezor device up and running: unboxing and authenticity checks, installing Trezor Suite (desktop or web), installing Trezor Bridge where needed, initializing or restoring a wallet, security best practices, common troubleshooting, and a short FAQ. It is written to be practical and safe — always verify critical actions on your device and prefer official sources for downloads and firmware updates.

1) Before you open the box — authenticity & ordering

To minimize supply-chain risk, purchase new hardware only from the manufacturer's official site or authorized resellers listed by the vendor. Avoid second-hand or unsealed devices unless they come from a fully trusted source. When the package arrives, visually inspect seals and packaging for tamper evidence. If anything looks altered, stop and contact the seller before powering the device.

2) Unboxing checklist

  • Hardware device (model may be Trezor One, Model T, etc.).
  • USB cable (and any adapters that shipped with the model).
  • Recovery seed card (paper) and quick-start leaflet.
  • Sealed packaging and device serial (note serial for support if available).

Tip: Keep packaging until setup completes — it can help with returns or support requests.

3) Install Trezor Suite — desktop or web

Trezor Suite is the recommended interface for initial device setup, firmware updates, account management, and transaction signing. You can use the desktop app or the web version. If using the web option, the site may prompt you to install Trezor Bridge (a small local helper) to facilitate USB access from the browser.

Desktop (Windows / macOS / Linux)

  1. Open a trusted browser and navigate to the official start page (type the vendor domain directly).
  2. Download the desktop installer for your OS and run it. On macOS, you may need to approve the app in Security & Privacy if blocked.
  3. Launch Trezor Suite and follow the onboarding wizard.

Web + Bridge

If you prefer the web Suite, the site will check for Bridge and guide you to install it if missing. Bridge is a small local program that allows the browser to talk to the Trezor device over USB securely — it does not store seeds or private keys.

4) Install Trezor Bridge (if prompted)

Modern browsers restrict low-level USB access; Bridge provides a secure, local channel that the web Suite can use. Install Bridge only from the official source when prompted by the official site. After installation, Bridge usually runs in the background and shows an icon in the system tray / menu bar. 

# Linux example: reloading udev rules after installing Bridge
sudo udevadm control --reload-rules
sudo udevadm trigger

5) Initial device setup — create or restore

When you first power a genuine Trezor device, choose to create a new wallet or restore an existing one. Creating a new wallet will generate a recovery seed shown on the device screen that you must write down physically. Restoring requires you to enter your recovery seed into the device (do this on-device, not on your computer).

Create a new wallet — core steps

  1. Connect the Trezor device using the supplied cable and open Trezor Suite (desktop or web).
  2. Choose "Create new device" in the Suite and follow the on-screen steps.
  3. Set a device PIN (enter directly on the device when prompted).
  4. The device will display your recovery seed — write each word in order on the supplied card or a secure backup. Do not store the seed digitally.
  5. Confirm a few words as prompted and finish the onboarding in Suite.

Restore an existing wallet

  1. In Suite choose "Recover" or "Restore", select word count, and enter the seed words on the device when asked.
  2. Set a new PIN and complete the setup in Suite.

6) Security fundamentals — the non-negotiables

  • Only use official sources: download Suite and Bridge from the vendor’s official domain (type the URL directly or use a verified bookmark).
  • Never enter your recovery seed on a computer or website: the seed must be handled on-device and stored offline.
  • Write the seed physically: use the supplied recovery card or a durable metal backup for fire/water resistance.
  • Use a strong device PIN: it protects against unauthorized physical access.
  • Verify addresses & amounts on-device: the device display is the single source of truth when signing transactions.
  • Keep software updated: update Suite and Bridge only through official prompts or downloads.

7) Using the Suite — accounts, receive, send

After setup you can add accounts for supported coins, receive funds, and create send transactions. The signing flow always asks you to confirm details on the device.

Receiving

  1. Choose Receive in Suite and pick the account.
  2. Connect and unlock the device; the Suite will show an address.
  3. Verify that the address displayed in Suite matches the one on your device screen before sharing it.

Sending

  1. Create a Send transaction in Suite and enter recipient & amount.
  2. Review the transaction details in Suite and wait for the device to display the same details.
  3. Only approve on the device after checking address, amount, and fee.

8) Troubleshooting — common issues & fixes

Browser or Suite cannot detect the device

  • Check that Bridge is installed and running (if using web Suite).
  • Try a different USB cable or port — avoid power-only cables.
  • Restart the browser or Suite and, if needed, reboot the computer.
  • On Linux ensure udev rules were installed and your user is in the relevant group (often plugdev).

Permission or driver errors (macOS/Windows)

  • On macOS check System Settings → Privacy & Security for blocked components.
  • On Windows run the installer as Administrator and accept UAC prompts.

Firmware update problems

Do not disconnect your device during firmware updates. If an update fails, follow official recovery steps in Suite or contact support — be ready to share OS, Suite & Bridge versions, and error messages (do not share your recovery seed).

9) Advanced notes — passphrases, hidden wallets & developer tools

Trezor devices support optional passphrases which create additional hidden wallets derived from your seed plus the passphrase. This feature offers stronger privacy but increases complexity: losing the passphrase means losing access to funds in that hidden wallet.

Developers can integrate with Trezor using official libraries and the Bridge API. When building integrations: keep endpoints local-only, require explicit user consent for signing, never request the recovery seed, and show clear UX that requires on-device verification.

10) Recovery & support — what to gather before contacting help

If you need official support, gather: OS and version, Suite and Bridge versions, device model and firmware version (if visible), exact error messages/screenshots, and clear reproduction steps. Never transmit your recovery seed to support.

11) Practical backup ideas & long-term durability

  • Use a water/fire-resistant metal backup for long-term seed durability.
  • Consider geographically separated backups (trusted third location) for disaster recovery.
  • For very large holdings, consider multisig setups or hardware security modules (HSMs) with professional custody planning.

12) Small checklist before your first transaction

  1. Confirm Suite and Bridge were downloaded from official sources.
  2. Device initialized with a PIN and physical seed backup recorded offline.
  3. Installed apps (if required) and added accounts.
  4. Verified a receive address on-device before receiving funds.
  5. For sending, always confirm transaction details on-device before approving.

13) FAQ — short answers

Do I always need Trezor Bridge?

Not always. The desktop Suite may connect directly to the device without Bridge; Bridge is required for some browser-based flows. Install Bridge only when prompted by the official web Suite and from the official source.

What if my device is lost or stolen?

If your device is lost but your recovery seed is safe, you can restore your wallets on a new device. If the seed is compromised, transfer funds to a new seed urgently.

Is Trezor Suite official software?

Trezor Suite is the vendor-provided interface for managing devices. This article is educational and not official documentation — use official vendor links for downloads and firmware updates.

14) Final thoughts — balancing convenience and safety

A hardware wallet like Trezor is a powerful tool for self-custody, but security depends heavily on how you use it. Always verify important actions on-device, store recovery seeds physically and securely, use official software and downloads, and limit exposure by separating high-value cold storage from smaller, operational wallets. With disciplined habits and cautious operational choices, Trezor devices make strong self-custody both practical and maintainable.