Trezor.io/Start — Starting Up Your Device

This comprehensive guide walks you through the entire process of starting up a Trezor hardware wallet using the official start flow. It covers unboxing and inspection, installation of companion software, secure initialization, recovery seed handling, firmware updates, everyday transactions, advanced features, privacy, troubleshooting, and best practices. Follow each section carefully to ensure you establish a solid security posture for your crypto assets.

Why start with the official flow?

Using the official start flow ensures you are following verified procedures that protect your private keys and reduce exposure to phishing attempts and tampered downloads. The start flow is intentionally designed to minimize risk: it guides you through verified firmware checks, device initialization, seed generation, and powerful confirmation steps on the device itself. When you begin your journey at the official start sequence, you reduce the chance of malicious interference and create a repeatable, auditable set of steps you can trust.

Starting with a carefully designed flow also means you receive recommended security alerts and prompts if there are firmware updates or compatibility issues. The official flow provides clear messaging about best practices: offline seed storage, device PIN creation, and verifying addresses on-screen. For newcomers and experienced users alike, a consistent start path reduces mistakes and builds durable habits that protect funds across years.

Part 1 — Unboxing & initial inspection

When your device arrives, unbox it in a bright, private area with adequate light. Inspect the outer packaging, looking for broken seals, tamper-evident stickers, or anything that suggests the package was opened prior to delivery. Authentic packaging will include manufacturer marks, clean seals, and clear product identifiers; if packaging looks altered or suspicious, stop and escalate through the vendor’s official support channels rather than proceeding with the start flow.

  • Examine seals and labels for evidence of tampering.
  • Confirm model and serial numbers printed on the box match the device label.
  • Unpack accessories (USB cable, recovery card, documentation) and verify they are present and intact.

If anything appears irregular during unboxing, do not connect the device to a computer. Document the concern with photos and contact the official support path for guidance. Preserving that evidence can be important if a replacement or return is needed.

Part 2 — Environment & preparation

Your host environment matters. Use a personally controlled, up-to-date computer for the initial start. Avoid public workstations, public Wi-Fi, and machines with unknown software or extensions. Close unneeded applications and browser tabs to reduce attack surface. Consider performing firmware updates and initial setup on a freshly updated operating system to minimize interference from legacy drivers or conflicting software.

  • Install system updates and reboot before starting.
  • Disconnect unnecessary USB devices to reduce confusion.
  • Have the recovery card or a durable recording medium ready (paper or metal backup).

Part 3 — Installing companion software (safely)

The official companion software provides a user-friendly interface for initialization, account management, firmware updates, and transaction signing. When installing software, always obtain it from official channels. Verify digital signatures or checksums if provided. On macOS and Windows, confirm the installer’s signing certificate and publisher before granting elevated privileges. On Linux, use the recommended package format and confirm package checksums when available.

  1. Download the official installer from the verified source on your trusted machine.
  2. Verify integrity via checksum or code signature if available.
  3. Run the installer, follow platform prompts, and grant permissions only when confident the publisher is authentic.

Avoid downloading companion software from third-party mirrors or untrusted sources. These sources can include modified binaries that undermine the security guarantees of the hardware wallet.

Part 4 — Initializing the device

Connect your device using the original cable and power it on. The device will present an onboarding or welcome screen. The companion app will detect the device and guide you through choosing whether to create a new wallet or restore an existing wallet using a recovery phrase. For new wallets, the device will generate a recovery seed. Follow the companion app and confirm prompts directly on the device screen — the device display is the final authority.

  1. Choose "Create new wallet" unless restoring from an existing seed.
  2. Set a secure PIN directly on the device when prompted.
  3. Write down the recovery seed words exactly as shown — do not store digitally.
  4. Confirm the seed by entering random check words or using the confirmation steps required by the device.

A recovery seed is typically 12–24 words long depending on the device and configuration. This seed is the master backup that can recreate all accounts associated with the device. Protect it: the seed is tantamount to holding the keys to your crypto.

Never type the recovery seed into a computer or send it to anyone. Official support teams never request your seed. Treat the seed as the highest-sensitivity secret.

Part 5 — Firmware updates & verification

Firmware updates provide security fixes and new features. Apply updates when the companion app recommends them, but do so on a trusted machine with reliable power and connection. During an update, the device may display manufacturer prompts and cryptographic verification results. Confirm these on-device: do not accept firmware updates that show suspicious or mismatched prompts.

  • Check that firmware update prompts match official messaging from the companion app.
  • Do not disconnect or power off the device during firmware updates.
  • If an update fails, follow official recovery steps and consider performing the update on a different trusted machine.

Part 6 — Adding accounts & receiving funds

After initialization and firmware verification, add accounts for the networks you plan to use. The companion app will present supported coins and allow you to add accounts. Each account has receive addresses that you can verify on-device. When receiving funds, always confirm the displayed address on the device matches the address shown in your app to ensure no host-level tampering has occurred.

  1. Add a single test account and request a micro deposit to verify end-to-end functionality.
  2. Confirm the receive address on the device screen before sharing it with a sender.
  3. Monitor the blockchain for confirmations before trusting larger transactions.

Part 7 — Sending funds & transaction confirmation

Sending requires constructing a transaction in the companion application, which is then forwarded to the device for signing. The device will show transaction details — recipient address, amount, and fee — and you must confirm these exactly on the device. The device’s on-screen verif