Before you start — what to prepare

Setting up a hardware wallet is a security-sensitive process. Take a few minutes to prepare a clean, private workspace, gather a reliable computer, a quality USB data cable, a pen, and the physical recovery cards that come with your Trezor. Avoid public or shared machines and keep cameras and recording devices away while you write down the recovery seed. Good preparation prevents mistakes and reduces the risk of accidental exposure.

Important: Always go to Trezor.io/Start manually (type it into your browser or follow a saved bookmark). Do not use links in emails or social media to download Suite — phishing sites often mimic official pages.

Install Trezor Suite — desktop or web

Trezor Suite is the official management application for Trezor hardware wallets. It exists as a desktop application (Windows, macOS, Linux) and a web app. The desktop client is recommended for firmware updates and critical operations because it communicates natively with your device; the web client is convenient and platform-agnostic and typically uses a small local helper (Trezor Bridge) to reach your device.

Desktop installation

1. Visit Trezor.io/Start and click the desktop download for your operating system.
2. Run the installer and follow on-screen instructions. Grant permissions if requested by your OS.
3. Launch Trezor Suite after installation.

Web app

If you choose the web version, the page may prompt you to install Trezor Bridge to enable browser-to-device communication. Install Bridge only from the official site. After installing the helper, refresh the web page and connect the device. For the most robust experience (especially firmware updates), prefer the desktop Suite.

Initialize your Trezor — create or recover

With Suite open and your device connected, you'll be guided through either creating a new wallet or recovering an existing one. The critical security principle is that sensitive operations — seed generation, key derivation, and signing — happen on the device itself; your computer only prepares unsigned transactions and displays public information.

Create a new wallet

1. Select “Create new device” in Trezor Suite.
2. Confirm on the device that the model and firmware prompts match what Suite displays.
3. The Trezor will generate a recovery seed and show the recovery words on its screen — write them down on the supplied cards. Do not photograph or store them digitally.
4. After writing, the device will ask you to confirm random words to ensure you correctly recorded the seed.
5. Set a secure PIN on the device to protect against unauthorized physical access.

Recover a wallet

1. Choose “Recover wallet” in Suite.
2. Enter your recovery words using the device’s secure input methods — the host does not see your seed entry.
3. After recovery, Suite will rescan the chain and populate your accounts.

If anything looks different or your device asks you to download files from unexpected sources, stop and consult official support. Genuine Trezor setup flows never require you to type the seed into a computer textbox nor to send your seed to anyone.

Backing up your recovery seed — the most important step

Your recovery seed is the single most critical secret associated with your wallet. It is the only reliable way to restore funds if a device is lost or destroyed. Take these precautions:

• Write the seed words exactly and legibly on the supplied recovery cards, or use a certified metal backup for long-term durability.
• Store backups in secure, offline locations — consider splitting copies across geographically separate safes if your threat model requires extra resilience.
• Never photograph, upload, or otherwise digitize your recovery seed. Digital storage is frequently targeted by attackers.
• Do not share your seed with anyone, including support representatives. Legitimate support will never ask for your recovery phrase.

Tip: After writing the seed, perform the device’s built-in confirmation step to ensure there were no mistakes. Consider testing a restore on a spare device in a secure environment if you want to verify backup integrity.

PIN, passphrase, and on-device verification

Two important features augment the security of your device: the PIN and the optional passphrase. The PIN protects the device against immediate physical misuse. Choose a PIN that is memorable but not trivially guessable. The device imposes increasing delays after incorrect attempts, making brute force impractical.

Passphrase (optional)

The passphrase is an advanced feature that acts as a 25th word to produce hidden wallets. Each passphrase generates a completely different wallet from the same seed. Use passphrases only if you understand their implications: losing the passphrase equals losing access to those hidden funds. Do not store passphrases digitally unless encrypted and secure.

Always verify on-device

Before approving any transaction, the device will show the recipient address, amount, and additional metadata for manual confirmation. The device’s screen is the ultimate source of truth for what you are signing; do not approve a transaction unless you confirm these details on the hardware itself.

Firmware updates — keep your device secure

Firmware updates are issued to improve features and patch security issues. Trezor Suite guides you through verified firmware updates. Best practices:

• Prefer updating through the desktop Suite for the most controlled environment.
• Backup your seed before major upgrades as a precaution (although updates typically do not alter your seed).
• Do not interrupt the update process; doing so can render the device temporarily unusable.
• Only install firmware provided by the official Suite or the official website.

Daily usage — receiving, sending, and managing accounts

Once set up, everyday tasks are straightforward but still benefit from safe habits. When receiving funds, generate a receive address in Suite and confirm that the same address is displayed on the device. When sending funds, prepare the transaction in Suite, then confirm the address, amount, and fee on the device before approving.

For multi-account users, label accounts clearly in Suite. For Bitcoin users who want greater control, use coin-control and UTXO selection features to manage privacy and fees. When integrating with third-party services, always prefer those that keep the device responsible for signing and show full details on-device.

Troubleshooting common issues

Most problems are connectivity related. If your device is not detected:

• Try a different USB port or a known-good data cable (avoid charge-only cables).
• Restart Trezor Suite and reconnect the device.
• If using the web Suite, ensure Trezor Bridge is installed and running.
• Close other wallet applications that may conflict with device access.

If firmware update fails or the device becomes unresponsive, consult official recovery steps and support. Avoid unverified third-party fixes which may introduce risk.

FAQ — quick answers

Do I always need Trezor Suite?

Trezor Suite is the recommended and most feature-complete way to manage your device, especially for initial setup and firmware updates. Advanced users can integrate with some third-party wallets, but always ensure on-device confirmations are presented.

What if I lose my device?

If you have your recovery seed, you can restore your wallet on a new Trezor or compatible hardware wallet. Without the seed, recovery is impossible.

Can support ask for my seed?

No—never share your seed with anyone. Legitimate support will never ask for it.

Conclusion — safe habits for long-term custody

Starting at Trezor.io/Start and following the guided steps in Trezor Suite gives you a secure foundation for storing crypto assets. The key takeaways are simple: prepare before you begin, always generate and confirm seeds on-device, back up your recovery phrase offline, protect your PIN and any passphrase, keep firmware and Suite updated, and verify every transaction on the hardware screen. Following these practices will greatly reduce the chance of loss and keep your funds protected over the long term.