If you’ve just purchased your first Trezor device, congratulations! You’re about to take one of the most important steps toward protecting your digital assets. Trezor is a hardware wallet — a physical device that stores your cryptocurrency private keys offline, where hackers and malware can't reach them.
This guide will help you set up your Trezor wallet from start to finish. Whether you’re using a Trezor Model One or a Model T, this walkthrough will ensure that your setup is done correctly and securely.
Before diving into the setup, it’s helpful to understand why Trezor exists. Unlike software wallets or exchanges, which keep your private keys online, a hardware wallet keeps them offline. This "cold storage" method dramatically reduces the risk of hacking, phishing, or malware access.
With a Trezor, you — and only you — control your crypto. No third party. No cloud servers. No dependency on a single company or exchange.
Before heading to your setup page, make sure you have everything ready:
Your Trezor device (Model One or Model T)
USB cable (included in the box)
A desktop or laptop computer
Internet connection for software download (safe for use; your private keys never leave the device)
Pen and the included recovery seed card
A private space where you won’t be interrupted
When you unbox your Trezor device, pay close attention to its physical packaging. Check for any tampering or damage. Trezor packaging is designed to be tamper-evident, especially for the Model T.
Confirm that the box is sealed, and all items are included:
The Trezor device
USB cable
Recovery seed cards
Instruction manual or quick-start guide
Trezor stickers (optional)
Do not proceed with setup if the device appears tampered with. Contact Trezor support if you have any doubts.
Open your browser and type in the official URL: trezor.io/start.
Do not click on links from emails, social media, or advertisements. Manually entering the URL helps avoid phishing websites designed to steal your recovery phrase or trick you into downloading fake software.
Once you're on the site, you'll be prompted to download Trezor Suite, the official desktop application used to manage your Trezor device.
Trezor Suite is a desktop app that allows you to:
Set up your Trezor device
View balances
Send and receive coins
Manage wallet settings
Access advanced features like passphrase protection or coin control
Download the version that matches your operating system (Windows, macOS, Linux) and install it.
After installation, launch Trezor Suite. It will prompt you to plug in your Trezor device.
Using the included USB cable, connect your Trezor to your computer. Trezor Suite will automatically detect the device and ask if you want to install the latest firmware.
The firmware is the core software that powers the device. Keeping it updated ensures you have the latest security patches and coin support.
Follow the on-screen instructions to install or update the firmware. The device may reboot once the update is complete.
Once your firmware is updated, Trezor Suite will ask if you want to Create a New Wallet or Recover an Existing Wallet.
Choose “Create New Wallet.”
Your Trezor device will now generate a recovery seed — a series of 12 or 24 words that act as your master backup. These words are shown only on the Trezor screen, never on your computer.
This is one of the most important steps in the entire process. Your recovery seed is the only way to restore access to your wallet if your Trezor is lost, damaged, or stolen.
Write the words on the recovery card included in your Trezor box. Do not take photos. Do not save them in digital files or online storage.
After writing the words down, the device will ask you to confirm them by selecting certain words from the list to verify you wrote them correctly.
Store your recovery seed in a secure, private location — ideally in a fireproof, waterproof safe. Some users even choose to use steel backup plates to prevent damage.
To protect your Trezor in case it falls into the wrong hands, you’ll now create a PIN code.
You’ll enter this PIN every time you connect the Trezor to your computer. If someone tries to guess your PIN and fails too many times, the device will wipe itself to prevent brute force attacks.
Choose a unique PIN that’s easy for you to remember, but difficult for others to guess. Avoid common patterns or birth years.
With your PIN set and recovery phrase backed up, your wallet is now ready.
Inside the Trezor Suite, you’ll see your wallet dashboard. Here, you can:
Add accounts for Bitcoin, Ethereum, and other supported cryptocurrencies
Receive crypto by copying your wallet address
Send crypto securely, verifying details on the Trezor screen
View transaction history
Manage settings like change PIN, enable passphrase, or toggle privacy features
At this point, your wallet is live and ready for use.
To receive crypto:
Click “Receive” in Trezor Suite
Select the correct coin/account
Copy the address and share it with the sender
Always double-check the address and verify it on the Trezor device screen
To send crypto:
Click “Send”
Paste the recipient’s address
Enter the amount and choose the transaction fee
Verify all details on your Trezor device screen before confirming
Always confirm transaction details on the device’s screen — malware could manipulate what your computer displays.
Trezor offers advanced features for added security and privacy. These are optional but valuable as you become more experienced.
Add a passphrase to your wallet for an extra layer of security. This creates a “hidden wallet” that requires both your recovery seed and the passphrase. Even if someone steals your seed, they can’t access your hidden wallet without the passphrase.
Important: If you forget the passphrase, it cannot be recovered.
You can create multiple accounts within a single wallet. For example, one for savings, one for trading, and another for receiving payments. Each account is isolated and can have its own set of addresses.
Manage which inputs (UTXOs) you use in transactions. This gives you greater control over fees, privacy, and address reuse.
This feature hides sensitive data (like balances) until you hover over it. It’s useful for when you're using your wallet in public or around others.
To maintain long-term security, follow these guidelines:
Never share your recovery phrase with anyone — not even support staff
Always verify website addresses before downloading software or entering wallet information
Avoid using public computers or Wi-Fi when managing your wallet
Update Trezor firmware regularly to get the latest security patches
Use metal backups or multiple seed copies stored in different locations for better durability
Disconnect your device when not in use and store it safely
Perform test transactions when sending large amounts — especially to new recipients or addresses
Losing your device doesn’t mean losing your crypto. As long as you have your recovery seed:
Buy a new Trezor device
Choose “Recover Wallet” during setup
Enter your seed words (on the device screen if using Model T)
Your wallet, balances, and transaction history will be restored
Never share your seed phrase during this process. No legitimate recovery process will require you to enter the seed on your computer.
Here are some quick fixes for common problems:
Device not detected: Try a different USB port or cable. Restart the Trezor Suite.
Firmware won’t update: Disconnect, reconnect, and try again. Ensure antivirus or firewalls aren't blocking the connection.
Wrong PIN: After multiple failed attempts, the device will reset. You can recover with your seed phrase.
Seed phrase lost: Unfortunately, if you lose the seed phrase and the device is reset, funds are irrecoverable.
Setting up a Trezor hardware wallet is one of the smartest moves you can make in your cryptocurrency journey. It gives you full control over your assets and shields you from many of the threats that plague the crypto space.