Get Started with Trezor

A practical, step-by-step onboarding presentation for the Trezor hardware wallet

Welcome

This presentation will walk you through everything you need to safely unbox, set up, and start using a Trezor hardware wallet. We'll cover device checks, installing Trezor Suite, firmware and PIN setup, creating and verifying a wallet backup (the recovery/wallet backup), how to send and receive coins, essential security practices, and troubleshooting tips you can use at every step.

Why use a hardware wallet?

A hardware wallet like Trezor stores private keys on an offline device, making it extremely difficult for attackers or malware on your computer to access them. By keeping the secret material on a purpose-built device, you dramatically reduce risk compared to keeping keys on a phone or desktop.

Quick tip: Never enter your recovery seed into a computer or phone. The seed is the ultimate backup and should be written only onto offline backup cards or devices specifically designed for long-term storage.

Unboxing & device checks

Before you open: Confirm that the Trezor packaging is sealed and shows no signs of tampering. If the tamper-evident seal is broken or the package looks suspicious, do not use the device — contact support.

What to check right away

  • Physical packaging and seal integrity
  • Contents: device, USB cable, recovery seed cards (if included), quick start guide
  • Manufacturer labels and holograms — verify visually

If anything is missing or damaged, stop and reach out to official support channels for guidance on replacement. Using a compromised device can endanger your funds.

For a smoother setup, have a pen and the provided backup cards ready. If you prefer, use a metal backup plate or fireproof storage for long-term seed storage.

Install Trezor Suite (Desktop or Web)

Step-by-step

  1. Download Trezor Suite from the official source — always confirm you're on the official site when downloading software.
  2. Install the app following your OS instructions (Windows/macOS/Linux) or connect via the web option if supported.
  3. Open Trezor Suite and connect your device via the supplied USB cable when prompted.
  4. Follow on-screen prompts to install firmware if the device arrives without it — this is normal for new devices.

Trezor Suite is the official desktop/web application that helps you initialize the device, manage coins, update firmware, and interact with third-party wallets.

Firmware installation & creating a wallet

New Trezor devices often ship without firmware. Trezor Suite will prompt you to install the latest firmware when you connect your device for the first time. This protects you by ensuring your device has the most recent security fixes.

Create a new wallet vs recover an existing one

If this is your first hardware wallet, choose Create new wallet. If you already have a recovery/wallet backup phrase from another wallet, choose Recover wallet.

About the recovery/wallet backup

During initialization, the device will generate a wallet backup phrase (commonly 12, 18, or 24 words depending on model and options). Trezor now refers to this as a wallet backup. Write this phrase carefully and store it offline in multiple secure places.

Never photograph or store your backup words in cloud storage, email, or a phone. Treat the backup as the single most sensitive piece of information for wallet recovery.

PIN, passphrase, and authentication

Set a PIN to protect the device from unauthorized physical access. The PIN is requested on the device itself and is never transmitted to Trezor Suite. Choose a PIN you can remember but that is not guessable.

Optional — use a passphrase for extra security

The passphrase acts as a 25th word on top of your recovery; it can be memorized or stored separately. If you use a passphrase, losing it means you lose access to funds protected by that passphrase — treat it carefully.

A passphrase increases security but also increases responsibility. Consider whether you need it for your threat model.

Sending & receiving cryptocurrency

Receiving: Use the Trezor Suite to generate a receive address. Verify the address on your device screen before sharing it. This ensures the address displayed by your computer has not been tampered with.

Sending: When sending you will sign the transaction on the Trezor device. The device shows transaction details — recipient, amount, and fee — and requires physical confirmation on the device to sign.

Best practices

  • Always validate addresses on the hardware device screen.
  • Start with a small test transaction when sending to a new address.
  • Keep software (Suite and OS) updated to benefit from security updates.

Security best practices

Do

  • Buy only from official channels and verify packaging.
  • Use a strong PIN and consider an encrypted device passphrase if needed.
  • Store wallet backups offline in multiple geographically-separated locations.
  • Keep firmware and Suite updated, and check official support docs for guidance.

Don't

  • Don't share your recovery words, PIN, or passphrase with anyone.
  • Avoid entering your backup phrase into any computer, phone, or online form.
  • Don't trust unsolicited instructions to move funds; verify with official docs.

Troubleshooting & support

Common issues: device not recognized, firmware install fails, or forgotten PIN. Solutions often include using the official Trezor Suite, trying a different USB cable/port, and checking OS permissions.

If you are locked out, note that wiping the device and restoring from a wallet backup is the standard recovery method — you need the backup words (and passphrase if used).

When in doubt, consult official support channels. Avoid third-party “fixes” from unknown forums that ask for seed phrases or private keys.

Advanced — integrations & multisig

Trezor integrates with a number of third-party wallets and services for advanced features like multisignature (multisig) wallets, coin-specific features, and cold storage workflows. For advanced setups, follow specific guides and test carefully using small amounts first.

Multisig can distribute custody among multiple devices and parties to improve security for high-value holdings.

Recap & resources

Recap: Check packaging → Install Trezor Suite → Install firmware → Create wallet & backup → Set PIN (and optional passphrase) → Verify addresses on the device → Use small test transactions and follow security practices.

Official resources

  • Trezor Start & Trezor Suite (official onboarding and app)
  • Device-specific 'Get started' guides for Model One, Model T, Safe 3/5
  • Trezor Learn — in-depth security & usage articles
Always prefer official docs for critical operations (firmware updates, recovery, and troubleshooting).