Welcome — What this page is for
This guide makes initialization approachable and secure for designers, product people, and everyday users. We'll walk through the exact steps, explain why each step matters, and offer design-minded tips so your setup looks as good as it feels. Expect to spend 10–20 minutes on a clean, distraction-free setup.
Before you begin (quick checklist)
Checklist
- Unbox your Trezor and inspect the tamper-evident seal.
- Have a computer or phone ready with an up-to-date browser.
- Find a quiet, private workspace — no screen sharing or public Wi‑Fi.
- Keep a pen and the recovery seed card nearby for writing down your seed.
- Decide whether you'll use a passphrase (advanced — optional).
Step-by-step initialization
1. Visit the official start page
Open trezor.io/start in a secure browser. Always check the URL and the browser padlock to confirm you're on the official Trezor domain.
Designer tip
Use a clean, high-contrast browser window when photographing your setup for social posts — show the device clearly, but never expose your recovery seed.
2. Connect your Trezor
Use the provided USB cable to connect the device to your computer. The screen will light up and show a welcome message. If the device doesn't power on, try a different USB port or cable.
Why this matters
Direct physical connection reduces the attack surface — avoid untrusted hubs or adapters when possible.
3. Install Trezor Suite (optional) or use the web wallet
Trezor offers an official desktop application (Trezor Suite) and browser-based wallet. Choose whichever fits your workflow; both are official and safe if downloaded from trezor.io.
// Example: open https://trezor.io/start and follow the prompts
4. Create a new wallet
Follow on-screen prompts to create a new wallet. The device will generate a recovery seed — this is the only backup of your funds. Write it down exactly, in order, and store it somewhere secure.
Security note
Never take a photo of your seed, never store it digitally, and never share it. Trezor will never ask for your seed.
5. Confirm your recovery seed on-device
Trezor will ask you to confirm a subset of your recovery phrase on the device screen. This verifies the seed was recorded correctly.
Designer's checklist
- Keep lighting soft to avoid glare on the device screen.
- Use consistent typography in notes you keep for the setup.
- If filming a tutorial, blur or crop any shots that contain the seed.
6. Set a PIN
Create a strong PIN directly on the device. This protects the device's interface if it is lost or stolen. Avoid obvious sequences like 1234 or birthdates.
7. (Optional) Enable a passphrase
A passphrase acts as a 25th word for your seed and effectively creates separate wallets. It's powerful but slightly more complex to manage — only enable it if you understand the implications.
Advanced tip
Designers and privacy-minded users sometimes create a memorable passphrase phrase based on a combination of a favorite lyric + punctuation. Remember: losing the passphrase means losing access to funds.
8. Update firmware (if prompted)
Occasionally Trezor releases firmware updates to add features or fix bugs. Install updates when offered from the official site. The device will guide you; follow instructions precisely.
9. Final checks
Send a small test transaction to confirm everything is working. Verify addresses on your device screen before confirming any outgoing transaction.
10. Store everything securely
Place your written recovery seed in a safe, ideally a fireproof safe or another secure location. Consider using a metal backup plate for long-term durability.
Troubleshooting & common questions
Device not detected?
Try another cable, a different USB port, or the official Trezor Suite. If problems persist, visit the Trezor Support page.
Lost recovery seed?
If the seed is lost, funds cannot be recovered without the seed (or passphrase). If you still have device access, move funds to a new wallet immediately and create a new seed.
Design-forward tips for presenting setup guides
When creating visual guides or onboarding flows, keep these UX-focused pointers in mind:
- Use a consistent color palette that ties to the brand but keeps contrast high for legibility.
- Break flows into small, scannable steps (people skim).
- Use progressive disclosure — show the essential step first, reveal advanced options as toggles.
- Always show visual confirmation on success (e.g., a green card with an icon) and clear next steps.