Introduction
Welcome to the official Trezor.io/start guide for securely starting your Trezor hardware wallet. This comprehensive walkthrough guides you through connecting your device, initializing it, setting a strong PIN, and safely backing up your recovery seed, ensuring your cryptocurrency assets remain secure from the outset.
Whether you own the Trezor Model T or the popular Model One, this guide empowers you to confidently begin your secure crypto management journey.
Step 1: Connecting Your Device
To start, use the official USB cable to connect your Trezor hardware wallet to your computer. Your system may prompt you to download Trezor Bridge if it is not already installed; this software enables secure communication between your hardware wallet and your browser.
Visit Trezor.io/start to download the necessary setup files or launch the browser-based Trezor Suite application. The interface will detect your connected device automatically and guide you through subsequent steps.
Step 2: Initializing Your Wallet
You will be prompted to either create a new wallet or recover an existing one. Creating a new wallet will generate your unique 24-word recovery seed displayed on your device screen, which must be carefully recorded offline.
Follow device instructions precisely to write down your recovery seed. This phrase is the only way to restore access to your funds if your device is lost, stolen, or damaged.
Step 3: Setting Up a Strong PIN
PIN setup protects physical access to your device. Your PIN is inputted exclusively on the device itself, preventing any malware or keylogger from intercepting your secret code.
Choose a unique and secure PIN. This step significantly enhances your wallet’s security by preventing unauthorized use.
Step 4: Securing Your Recovery Seed
Your recovery seed is the master key to all your crypto assets. Guard it with utmost care by keeping it offline and secure—never store it on computers, online drives, or photographs.
For enhanced safety, consider using Shamir Secret Sharing to divide your seed into secure shares, spreading risk and increasing recovery security.
Security Best Practices
- Always buy Trezor wallets from official distributors.
- Never share your recovery seed or PIN with anyone.
- Keep your recovery information physically secure.
- Use the latest firmware and software versions.
- Avoid using public or unsecured Wi-Fi when accessing crypto wallets.
- Consider adding a passphrase for an additional wallet layer.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I recover my wallet without the recovery seed? No, it is essential for wallet recovery.
- What happens if I forget my PIN? You must use your recovery seed to regain access.
- Is the PIN stored anywhere online? No, your PIN is securely entered and stored only on your Trezor device.
- How often should I update firmware? Regularly, to ensure optimal security and features.
- Which cryptocurrencies are supported? Trezor supports hundreds of coins and tokens; see trezor.io for details.
- How do I get official support? Visit official Trezor support.