Trezor.io/Start - Starting Up Your Device

Securing your cryptocurrency is the most critical step in your digital asset journey. While software wallets offer convenience, nothing provides the peace of mind and impenetrable security of a hardware wallet. The Trezor device, developed by SatoshiLabs, is a market leader in this field, offering a user-friendly way to keep your private keys completely offline and safe from online threats. This guide will walk you through the entire process of setting up your new Trezor device, from unboxing to making your first secure transaction, ensuring a smooth and secure start to your self-custody.

1. The Unboxing and Initial Checks

Before you even plug in your Trezor, the first line of defense is a simple physical check. Every official Trezor device is shipped in tamper-evident packaging to ensure that it has not been accessed or altered since it left the factory.

• Check the Seal: Your Trezor box will have a holographic seal or a tamper-evident seal. Look for any signs of tampering, tears, or residue. If the seal appears to be broken or compromised in any way, do not proceed with the setup. Contact Trezor support immediately.
• Inspect the Device: Once the box is open, inspect the device itself. Ensure the physical casing is not damaged and that there are no signs of a security breach.

Trezor devices are designed with robust hardware security. Even if a sophisticated attacker were to physically access and open the device, specialized tools and knowledge would be required to compromise it. The initial checks are a simple but crucial step to ensure the integrity of your new hardware.

2. Installing Trezor Suite

Trezor Suite is the official desktop and web application that acts as the secure portal to your Trezor device. It is the only software you should use for setting up and managing your wallet. Do not use any third-party software, as it could compromise your security.

1. Go to the Official Website: Navigate your web browser directly to trezor.io/start. Be extremely vigilant about the URL; check for any misspellings or extra characters. This is the single most important step to avoid phishing scams.
2. Choose Your Platform: On the official page, you will be prompted to download Trezor Suite for your operating system (Windows, macOS, or Linux).
3. Download and Install: Download the application and follow the on-screen instructions to install it. For desktop versions, Trezor Suite comes bundled with Trezor Bridge, a small application that facilitates secure communication between the app and your device. For the web version, you may need to install Trezor Bridge separately.

Trezor Suite is designed to be a one-stop-shop for all your cryptocurrency needs, including managing your portfolio, exchanging coins, and even using advanced privacy features like CoinJoin.

3. Connecting Your Device and Starting Setup

Now that you have Trezor Suite installed, it's time to connect your device and begin the setup process.

1. Plug In Your Trezor: Using the provided USB cable, connect your Trezor device to your computer. The device screen will light up and display a message.
2. Open Trezor Suite: Launch the Trezor Suite application. The application will detect your device and prompt you to begin the setup.
3. Choose Your Path: You will be given two options: Create a new wallet or Recover a wallet. Since this is a new device, select Create a new wallet.

This step is where your journey into self-custody truly begins. By creating a new wallet, you are about to generate a unique set of cryptographic keys that only you will have control over.

4. The Recovery Seed Backup: Your Most Important Step

The recovery seed (also known as a recovery phrase or mnemonic phrase) is a list of 12, 18, or 24 words that serves as the master key to your entire wallet. It is the only way to recover your funds if your Trezor device is lost, stolen, or destroyed. This step is irreversible and cannot be skipped.

1. Generate a New Seed: Trezor Suite will prompt you to generate a new recovery seed. The words are generated completely offline by your Trezor device's hardware, ensuring they are not exposed to the internet.
2. Write It Down: Your Trezor's screen will display the words one by one. You must write these words down on the provided recovery card, in the correct order. Do not take a photo, save a screenshot, or type them into your computer. Any digital copy is a security risk. Use a pen, and write clearly.
3. Double-Check Your Work: After you have written down all the words, Trezor Suite will perform a verification check. It will ask you to confirm a few of the words at random. This step is crucial for verifying that you have written the words down correctly. A single typo could make your recovery seed useless.
4. Store It Safely: Once you have verified your seed, store the recovery card in a secure, private location. This should be a place where no one else can find it, such as a fireproof safe, a safety deposit box, or a hidden compartment in your home. This card is the single most important piece of paper you will ever own in the crypto space.

Remember, anyone who has access to your recovery seed can steal your funds. Treat it with the same care and security as you would a large amount of cash or a family heirloom.

5. Setting Your PIN

After backing up your recovery seed, the next step is to set a PIN for your Trezor device. This PIN is your first line of defense against physical theft.

1. Create a PIN: Trezor Suite will prompt you to create a PIN. The PIN entry is unique and highly secure. Trezor Suite will display a grid of numbers on your computer screen, but the numbers themselves are scrambled on your device's screen.
2. Enter Your PIN: To enter your PIN, you must look at your Trezor's screen to see the physical location of the numbers and then click the corresponding button on your computer screen. This prevents keyloggers and malware from tracking your PIN.
3. Confirm Your PIN: You will be asked to re-enter your PIN to confirm it.
4. Why a PIN is Important: The PIN protects your device from unauthorized access. If an attacker steals your Trezor, they cannot access your funds without the PIN. After a few incorrect attempts, the time delay between attempts increases exponentially, making a brute-force attack practically impossible.

Your PIN provides an immediate layer of security for your device, so be sure to choose a strong, unique number.

6. Naming Your Device and Finalizing Setup

The final steps of the setup are simple and personalize your device.

1. Name Your Device: You can give your Trezor a custom name (e.g., "My Trezor," "Crypto Vault"). This helps you identify the device easily, especially if you have multiple Trezors.
2. Choose Your Home Screen: You can set a custom image or text to display on your Trezor's home screen. This is a personal touch that also serves as a security feature, making it easy to identify your genuine device.
3. Finalize: Once you have completed these steps, your Trezor device is ready to use! Trezor Suite will guide you to the main dashboard, where you can begin managing your crypto portfolio.

Congratulations, you have successfully set up your Trezor device. You are now the sole custodian of your digital assets, with the strongest security available to protect them.

Conclusion: Your Journey Has Just Begun

Setting up a Trezor device is more than just a technical process; it's a commitment to financial sovereignty. By taking the time to back up your recovery seed correctly and secure your device with a PIN, you have taken a major step toward protecting your wealth from theft, scams, and custodial risks. The Trezor Suite application provides a simple, secure, and powerful interface to manage your assets, but the real power lies in the hardware you hold in your hand. Welcome to the world of true self-custody.