Trezor Start — begin safely with verified downloads and secure setup

Use trezor.io/start to obtain official software, follow the step-by-step onboarding, verify firmware and checksums, and learn practical recommendations for protecting your recovery seed. This page condenses the most important steps and operational advice so you can set up your Trezor device with confidence.

Download only from trezor.io/start

Always start at the official URL — trezor.io/start. Download the recommended Trezor Suite or follow the web app instructions. Avoid third-party mirrors or installers that could be tampered with.

Verify checksums & signatures

After downloading, compare SHA256 checksums or verify PGP signatures when available. This step confirms the file’s integrity and origin before you run the installer.

Initialize your device and set a PIN

Follow the on-screen prompts to generate a new wallet or restore from an existing seed. Choose a strong PIN — it protects the device from local physical access attempts.

Secure your recovery seed

Write the recovery words provided by the device on the supplied card or use a durable metal backup. Never store the seed digitally or photograph it. Consider geographically separated backups for resilience against local disasters.

Verify firmware & confirm on-device

When prompted, verify firmware fingerprints and read transaction details directly on the device display before approving. On-device confirmation is the final and most critical step before any signing operation.

✓

Downloaded from official trezor.io/start

✓

Verified checksum or signature

✓

Recorded recovery seed offline

Quickstart & practical tips

Starting with Trezor is intentionally straightforward: go to the official start page, choose the recommended workflow (web app or Suite), and follow the onboarding wizard. When the device shows your recovery words, write them down in order — the sequence matters. For additional protection, use a metal backup solution if you expect risk from fire or water; steel plates are a common choice for long-term durability. Avoid digital copies — screenshots, cloud storage, or photos are high-risk.

Use the device in a trusted environment: update your host system, avoid public networks during setup, and close unrelated browser tabs. If you accept firmware updates, check the release notes and verify that the update originates from the official project. When sending funds, always compare the destination address on the device display to the host app — if they differ, cancel the operation. This small habit prevents many common scams where hosts attempt to substitute addresses.

For advanced users, consider enabling a passphrase to create hidden wallets. A passphrase extends your seed and provides plausible deniability: different passphrases yield different wallet sets. However, passphrases are effectively secondary seeds — losing them is equivalent to losing access to funds. Use them only if you understand the operational tradeoffs and store passphrases with extreme care.

Verification, threats, and recovery — long-form guidance

Supply chain attacks and counterfeit devices are real threats. Purchase Trezor devices only from the official store or authorized resellers to reduce tampering risk. When unboxing, inspect packaging for obvious signs of tampering. Use the official start page to download companion software and follow the verification guidance: checksums (SHA256) and PGP signatures, where available, confirm that the downloaded file matches the publisher’s release. If verification fails, delete the file and re-download; never proceed with an unverified installer.

Operational security matters: set a unique PIN on the device, do not reuse it elsewhere, and avoid entering your recovery seed anywhere online. Ledger of actions like bookmarking trezor.io/start, keeping firmware and Suite up-to-date, and performing periodic recovery drills with spare hardware will materially increase your readiness. In the event of suspected compromise, isolate the affected environment, initialize a fresh device from your securely stored recovery seed, and move funds to new addresses as a precaution. For institutions, use multisignature wallets and segregated custodial practices to reduce single points of failure.

Finally, continue learning: Trezor is an open-source project with active documentation, community discussions, and security advisories. Subscribe to official channels for release announcements, and when in doubt consult the official start page or support resources. Treat your recovery seed as the most sensitive secret — if someone obtains it, they obtain your funds. The combination of verified downloads, on-device confirmations, and careful operational controls forms a robust defense-in-depth strategy for preserving digital assets.