Welcome — Why This Guide Exists
Using a hardware wallet is one of the safest ways to store cryptocurrencies. Unlike software wallets that rely on internet-connected devices, a hardware wallet keeps your private keys completely offline, away from malware, phishing attacks, and remote threats.
The goal of this page is to walk you — whether you're a first-time user or migrating from a software wallet — through each step of securely setting up your device: from unboxing to first transaction, while teaching you how to maintain good security habits long-term.
1. What You Need — Before You Start
- Your hardware wallet device (e.g. Trezor Model T or Model One)
- A USB cable or appropriate connection cable that came with the device
- A computer (or supported device) with a secure operating system and up-to-date browser
- A clean, private workspace — avoid public or shared computers for setup
- Pen and the blank recovery seed card (or paper) provided in the package
- Time and focus — don't rush through security steps
Security notice:
Only visit the official setup site — https://trezor.io/start — typed manually into your browser. Avoid third-party links, search-engine ads, or suspicious pages.
2. Unboxing & Inspecting Your Device
When your device arrives, inspect the packaging carefully before opening:
- The box should be sealed and show no signs of tampering (no broken seals, glue marks, or damage).
- The device and cable should look brand-new: no scratches, dents, or signs of use.
- The recovery seed card should be blank and unused.
If anything seems off — broken seals, pre-written recovery cards, scratched packaging — do not proceed. Contact vendor support or seek a replacement immediately.
3. Downloading Official Companion Software
To manage your wallet — view balances, send/receive funds, update firmware, and configure settings — you need the official companion software (e.g. "Trezor Suite" or the latest official client). Always download it from the official setup page to avoid counterfeit or malicious software.
Installation Steps
- Open your browser and navigate manually to
https://trezor.io/start. - Select the appropriate version for your operating system (Windows, macOS, Linux, etc.).
- Download and run the installer — or use the web-app version if available.
- After installation, launch the software to start setup.
Avoid downloading wallet software from third-party sites, ads, or suspicious links — these are often used in phishing attacks.
4. Connecting Your Wallet & Installing Firmware
Plug your hardware wallet into your computer using the supplied cable. The companion software will detect the device and automatically prompt you to install or update firmware if needed. Firmware ensures the device runs secure, up-to-date code.
Important: During firmware installation, do not unplug the device. Interrupting the process may cause malfunction or data corruption.
5. Generating & Securing Your Recovery Seed
Once firmware is installed, choose to create a new wallet. The device will generate a recovery seed (usually 12 or 24 words). This seed is the master key to your wallet — if you lose it, you could lose access to your funds permanently.
Seed Backup Best Practices
- Write the seed on the provided recovery card or other physical paper — do not copy it to a digital file, photo, or cloud storage.
- Double-check every word for spelling and order.
- Store backups in secure, offline, and preferably fireproof/waterproof locations (e.g. safe, safe deposit, steel backup plate).
- Consider keeping multiple backup copies in different secure locations for redundancy.
Never share your recovery seed with anyone. No legitimate support representative will ever ask for it. Revealing it is equivalent to giving full access to your funds.
6. Setting a PIN and Optional Passphrase
To add a layer of protection, you'll be prompted to set a PIN. The PIN helps secure your device in case it's lost or stolen.
For advanced users, you may also enable a passphrase — a secret word (or phrase) that extends your seed and creates a hidden, separate wallet. This adds privacy and security, but if the passphrase is lost, you lose access to the hidden wallet.
- Choose a PIN that is not trivial (avoid 1234, 0000, birthdays, etc.).
- Keep the passphrase secret and store it separately from your seed backups if you enable it.
7. Your Wallet Is Ready — What You Can Do
After setup completion, you can add cryptocurrency accounts (Bitcoin, Ethereum, etc.), generate receiving addresses, send funds, and manage assets. Every transaction is processed through the companion software — but final confirmations and private-key operations happen on your hardware wallet itself.
- Create or add accounts for supported cryptocurrencies
- View balances and monitor portfolio performance
- Receive funds — copy or scan receive addresses and confirm on the device before sharing
- Send funds — transaction details always appear on the device screen for manual confirmation
- Use advanced features (if supported) like passphrase wallets, integration with other applications or dApps, coin/account management, etc.
8. Security & Best Practices — Long Term
A hardware wallet significantly reduces risk — but only when combined with secure habits. Here are recommended practices for long-term safety.
- Always use the official setup URL (
https://trezor.io/start) — bookmark it after verifying certificate and domain. - Never store seed phrases digitally. Avoid photos, scans, screenshots, or cloud storage.
- Use a strong, non-obvious PIN. If using a passphrase — store it securely, separately from seed backups. — Treat it as a sensitive credential.
- Update firmware and software as recommended — updates often include security patches and improvements.
- When receiving or sending crypto — always confirm addresses and amounts on the hardware wallet screen. Do not rely solely on on-screen values from your computer.
- Avoid public or untrusted computers for wallet operations. If possible, use a fresh or secure OS install.
- Store backup copies in different secure offline locations (e.g. separate safes) to protect against theft, fire, or loss.
9. Troubleshooting & Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
10. Final Words — Your Security, Your Responsibility
A hardware wallet gives you powerful protection, but true security depends on how you use it. By following the steps above — from using official software, securing your seed, to adopting safe routines — you maintain full control and ownership of your digital assets.
Remember: your device and seed are only as secure as your habits. Always remain vigilant of phishing attempts, suspicious links, and social engineering. No software or hardware can protect you if you don't follow sound security practices.
Good luck — and welcome to secure self-custody.