Trézor.io/Start® | Starting Up Your Device

Introduction — why the official startup flow matters

The first time you unbox a hardware wallet it’s a pivotal moment: you are bringing a long-term cryptographic key storage into your life. That device will be the anchor of your self-custody strategy. The official onboarding flow is carefully designed to guide you through secure decisions and avoid common mistakes that lead to loss. This guide expands on that official flow with clear explanations, practical tips, and security rationale so you understand not only what to do, but why each step is important.

Throughout this guide you will find step-by-step instructions for unpacking and verifying your device, connecting to a trusted environment, initializing either a new wallet or restoring an existing seed, creating a PIN and optional passphrase, backing up the recovery seed correctly, verifying firmware integrity, performing a test transaction, and best practices for ongoing operations and estate planning.

Before you start — preparation & safety checklist

Preparation reduces risk. Take a few minutes before powering up:

Confirm purchase from an authorized seller and keep proof of purchase for warranty or replacement needs.
Choose a private, well-lit workspace with no cameras or recording devices. Don’t set up the device in public or near shared webcams.
Have two physical backup media ready: paper recovery cards and, ideally, a durable metal backup solution for long-term resilience.
Use a host computer you control and that is up to date. Create or use a fresh browser profile with minimal extensions for setup.

Tip: avoid using public Wi-Fi for the initial setup. Use a trusted home or office network. If you must use a public network, consider using an isolated, temporary system whose only purpose is device initialization.

Step 1 — unbox & inspect

When your package arrives, inspect outer packaging and tamper seals. Manufacturers design packaging with indicators that reveal reseal attempts or physical interference. If seals look compromised, stop: do not connect the device and contact the seller or vendor channel you used to purchase the unit. Counterfeits and supply-chain tampering are rare, but the initial inspection is inexpensive insurance.

What to look for

Intact tamper seals and factory shrinkwrap.
Correct model labeling and serial number (if visible) consistent with purchase documents.
Accessories that match the packaging contents: official cable, recovery card, quick start leaflet.

If everything looks normal, proceed to connect the device. Keep packaging in case you need to return the device or for warranty support.

Step 2 — connect to a trusted environment

Use the USB cable provided in the box and plug the device into your computer. Prefer a direct USB port on the host rather than an unknown hub. Open the official companion application or follow an official startup document from a trusted source. If you have preinstalled companion software, ensure it is the verified, official build and that automatic updates are enabled.

Why this matters

The device alone is secure, but the host environment mediates interactions with the network. Using a compromised host or an unofficial application can expose transaction metadata and mislead you with counterfeit prompts. A clean host with the official software minimizes those risks.

Step 3 — initialize the device (create or recover)

When the device displays the welcome screen, you will be given options to create a new wallet or recover an existing one from a recovery seed. Choose appropriately:

Create new wallet: recommended for new devices. The device will generate a recovery seed (12/18/24 words depending on configuration). Write them down exactly in order.
Recover wallet: only if you are restoring from a previously generated seed. Carefully enter the words as presented; entering the wrong word or order will fail or restore a different wallet.

Recording the seed

Write each seed word clearly using a pen on physical recovery cards supplied with the device — do not store the seed electronically. Consider making two separate physical copies and keep them in different secure locations (for example, a home safe and a safety deposit box). For higher durability consider a stainless steel backup product engineered for seed storage.

Never photograph or type your recovery seed into a phone, computer, or cloud service. Doing so creates a persistent, searchable copy that attackers can exploit.

Step 4 — PIN & optional passphrase

After seed creation you will be asked to set a PIN for the device. The PIN prevents unauthorized use if your hardware wallet is stolen but does not replace the seed backup. Choose a PIN you can remember but that others would not guess. Avoid very short or obvious PINs.

Passphrase — advanced protection

An optional passphrase acts as a 25th word appended to the seed and creates a hidden wallet. A passphrase increases security and provides plausible deniability, but it introduces additional complexity — if you forget the passphrase you may permanently lose access to any funds stored under it. Only use a passphrase if you understand the recovery implications and can secure the passphrase as reliably as the seed.

Best practice: if you use a passphrase, consider storing a secure hint (that does not reveal the passphrase) in a password manager or with a trusted legal mechanism for estate access. Never store the passphrase with the seed.

Step 5 — verify firmware & apply updates

Firmware is the device’s low-level software. Manufacturers publish signed firmware updates to patch security issues and add features. After initialization, verify the device's firmware status in the companion app. If an update is recommended, apply it using the official, signed flow. The device and the software will verify cryptographic signatures — do not bypass these checks.

Verification rationale

Unsigned or modified firmware could alter device behavior and compromise seed generation or signing logic. Cryptographic signature checks prevent installation of tampered firmware and preserve device integrity.

Step 6 — perform a test transaction

Before moving significant funds, conduct a small test transaction. The test confirms your receive address workflow, that the device signs correctly, and that you can verify transactions on-device.

Generate a receive address in the companion app.
Verify the address on the device screen — the on-device checksum is the source of truth; do not rely solely on the host display.
Send a small test amount from another wallet or exchange and verify it arrives on-chain.
Initiate a small outbound transaction and verify the recipient address and amount on the device before signing.

Testing reduces human error when you begin larger transfers.

Daily operations & integration

Once set up, your hardware wallet can be used with trusted wallet apps, portfolio trackers, and exchange withdrawal whitelists. The hardware device remains the signing authority: software prepares transactions, but only the device signs them after you verify details on its screen.

Operational tips

Use watch-only wallets on mobile for balance monitoring without exposing keys.
Prefer reputable, well-maintained integrations and avoid experimental third-party apps unless you understand the risks.
For recurring workflows (e.g., automated payouts) consider multisig or institutional custody rather than exposing a single seed to automation.

Backup planning & estate considerations

Think about long-term access: seeds must survive fire, flood, and personnel changes. Multiple geographically separated backups and durable media reduce risk. For estate planning, document procedures that trusted parties can follow without revealing secrets in advance. Legal and technical options include sealed instructions held by an attorney, multi-signature arrangements that distribute risk, or secure escrow with multiple trusted custodians.

Do not hand your recovery seed to an executor or attorney without ensuring they understand secure handling. Prefer instructions with sealed access or technical solutions that avoid sharing the seed itself.

Troubleshooting & common issues

Device not detected

Try a different USB cable or port, ensure the companion software is running, and check that the device is awake. On some systems drivers or permissions (e.g., on Linux udev rules) may need adjusting.

Forgot PIN

If you forget your PIN, the device can be reset to factory defaults. You will then need your recovery seed to restore the wallet. This is why secure seed storage is essential.

Compromised host

If you suspect your host computer is compromised, stop using it for signing transactions. Use a clean host to perform critical operations and consider moving funds after restoring the seed on a new device if you suspect exposure.

Security best practices — summary

Purchase only from authorized channels; retain receipts and serial numbers.
Inspect packaging; don’t use devices with suspicious seals.
Use trusted hosts and official companion applications for setup and updates.
Back up the recovery seed on durable, offline media and in geographically separated locations.
Set a PIN and consider a passphrase only if you can manage it securely.
Verify all transaction data on the device screen before signing.
Use multi-signature and institutional custody patterns for very large holdings.

Conclusion — secure self-custody with confidence

Starting up a Trézor device is straightforward if you follow deliberate, secure steps. The device’s security model is powerful: it isolates keys, enforces on-device verification, and supports durable backups. The human element — proper seed handling, device verification, and cautious operational habits — determines long-term safety. Invest a little time now to establish reliable workflows; those precautions are the most effective defense against theft, loss, or accidental misconfiguration.

If you maintain disciplined practices — verified purchases, offline backups, on-device confirmations, and periodic review — your hardware wallet will provide resilient, long-term custody of your crypto assets.