Welcome to Your Trezor: A Guide to Getting Started Securely
Finding your way to Trezor.io/start means you’ve taken a crucial step toward securing your cryptocurrency assets. Congratulations! This is the beginning of your journey toward true self-custody and peace of mind. This guide will walk you through the initial setup process, ensuring your new hardware wallet is prepared to protect your digital wealth from the moment you unbox it.
Your First and Most Important Step: Trezor.io/start
Before you plug in your device, your first action is to navigate to Trezor.io/start. This official webpage is your comprehensive hub for setup. Never use any other website or search for software elsewhere. Bookmark this page to avoid phishing scams. Here, you will find direct links to download the official Trezor Suite desktop application, the recommended interface for managing your device.
Unboxing and Connecting Your Device
Carefully unbox your Trezor Model One or Trezor Model T. You should find the device itself, a USB cable, recovery seed cards, and a lanyard. Once you’ve installed Trezor Suite on your computer, connect your Trezor using the supplied cable. The application will guide you through installing the latest firmware, which is essential for security and functionality. Always ensure your firmware is up to date.
The Heart of Security: Your Recovery Seed
The most critical part of your setup is generating your recovery seed phrase. This is a unique list of 12, 18, or 24 words that acts as the master key to your entire wallet. Your Trezor device will generate this phrase itself and display it word-by-word on its screen.
- Write it down by hand on the provided recovery seed cards.
- Never digitize it. No photos, no cloud storage, no typing it into a computer or phone.
- Keep it private. Anyone with this phrase can access your funds.
- Store multiple copies in secure, separate physical locations (e.g., a safe and a safety deposit box).
This seed phrase is your ultimate lifeline. It allows you to recover all your funds on any compatible wallet if your Trezor is ever lost, stolen, or damaged.
Setting Up Your PIN
Next, you will set up a PIN code. This adds a physical layer of security every time you connect your Trezor. The device uses an advanced “anti-phishing” feature where the PIN grid appears randomly on its screen. You confirm the numbers on your device, not on your computer, preventing malicious software from stealing your PIN.
You’re Ready to Go!
With your recovery seed securely stored and your PIN set, your Trezor is now your personal vault. Trezor Suite will then guide you through creating accounts for different cryptocurrencies, receiving your first funds, and exploring advanced features like CoinJoin and staking.
Remember, your security is in your hands. By starting at the official Trezor.io/start page and following these steps meticulously, you have built a foundation of trust and ownership that is the core principle of cryptocurrency. Welcome to the Trezor family.