Get Started With Trezor: Secure Your Digital Assets
Welcome to Trezor. This is the starting point for setting up your hardware wallet and taking full control of your digital assets. Trezor is designed for people who want security, independence, and peace of mind when managing cryptocurrency.
This guide will walk you through the essential ideas and steps behind using a Trezor device. It explains how your wallet works, how to set it up safely, and how to protect what matters most—your private keys.
Take your time. Security is not about speed; it’s about doing things correctly from the start.
Why Use a Trezor Hardware Wallet?
A Trezor hardware wallet is a physical device that stores your private keys offline. Private keys are what give access to your cryptocurrency. If someone gets your private keys, they control your funds.
Unlike online wallets or exchanges, Trezor keeps your keys isolated from the internet. Transactions are approved directly on the device, not on your computer or phone. This design protects you from common threats such as malware, keyloggers, and phishing attacks.
With Trezor, you are not trusting a third party. You are trusting mathematics, open design, and your own ability to safeguard your recovery information.
What You Need Before Setup
Before starting the setup process, make sure you are in a safe and private environment. You will need:
Your new Trezor device
The included USB cable
A computer or compatible mobile device
Pen and paper for writing down recovery information
Time and focus, without interruptions
Never set up your wallet in public or with people watching. Your recovery information must remain private at all times.
Verifying Your Device
When you open the box, carefully inspect your Trezor device and packaging. A genuine Trezor arrives sealed and unused. The device should not be preconfigured, and you should never receive a recovery phrase inside the box.
If your device appears tampered with or already set up, stop immediately. Using a compromised device can put your funds at risk.
Installing and Using the Trezor Interface
To interact with your Trezor, you will use the official Trezor interface on your computer or mobile device. This software allows you to manage accounts, view balances, send and receive cryptocurrency, and update device firmware.
During your first connection, you may be asked to install firmware on the device. Firmware controls how your Trezor operates and how it protects your keys. Always confirm firmware actions on the device screen itself, never blindly on your computer.
Keeping firmware up to date helps ensure the highest level of security.
Creating a New Wallet
When you create a new wallet, your Trezor generates a recovery phrase. This phrase consists of a series of words created entirely offline by your device.
The recovery phrase is the single most important element of your wallet. It is the master backup that can restore access to your funds if your device is lost, damaged, or replaced.
Important Rules for Recovery Phrase Safety
Write the words down exactly as shown
Keep them in the correct order
Never store them digitally
Never share them with anyone
Never enter them on a website or app
Trezor will ask you to confirm parts of the phrase during setup to ensure you wrote it down correctly. This step is essential and should not be rushed.
Storing Your Recovery Phrase
How you store your recovery phrase determines the long-term safety of your assets. The phrase must be protected from theft, fire, water, and accidental loss.
Good practices include:
Storing it in a secure, private location
Using fire- and water-resistant storage
Keeping it out of sight and away from cameras
Avoiding digital copies entirely
Remember: if someone gains access to your recovery phrase, they gain access to your funds.
Setting a PIN Code
After securing your recovery phrase, you will create a PIN code for your Trezor. This PIN protects the device from unauthorized physical access.
Each time you connect your Trezor, you must enter the PIN. Incorrect PIN attempts trigger increasing delays, making it extremely difficult for someone to guess it.
Choose a PIN that is not obvious and not easily associated with you. Do not share it with anyone.
Optional Advanced Security: Passphrases
Trezor supports an optional passphrase feature for users who want extra protection. A passphrase acts as an additional secret layered on top of your recovery phrase.
Each passphrase creates a separate wallet, even when used with the same recovery phrase. Without the correct passphrase, the wallet cannot be accessed.
This feature offers strong security but also adds responsibility. If you forget your passphrase, there is no way to recover it. Only use this feature if you fully understand how it works and can store the passphrase securely.
Receiving Cryptocurrency
To receive cryptocurrency, generate a receiving address using the Trezor interface. Always verify the address on your Trezor device screen before using it.
This verification step is critical. It ensures that the address shown on your computer or phone has not been altered by malicious software.
Once verified, you can safely send funds to that address. The funds will be secured by the private keys stored inside your Trezor.
Sending Cryptocurrency Securely
When sending funds, Trezor requires confirmation directly on the device. Transaction details such as the amount and destination address are displayed on the Trezor screen.
Nothing is sent until you physically confirm the transaction. This prevents malware from secretly changing transaction details without your knowledge.
Always carefully review what appears on the device before approving any transaction.
Understanding Self-Custody
Using Trezor means you are practicing self-custody. This means you are fully responsible for your assets.
There is no password reset, no recovery email, and no central authority that can restore access if your recovery phrase is lost. This responsibility is the trade-off for true ownership and independence.
Self-custody protects you from exchange failures, account freezes, and third-party risks—but only if you protect your recovery information.
Staying Safe Over Time
Security does not end after setup. To stay protected:
Be alert to phishing attempts
Only use official software and updates
Never approve actions you did not initiate
Keep your device and backups secure
Review transactions carefully
Trezor will never ask you to share your recovery phrase outside of the device’s own recovery process.
If Your Trezor Is Lost or Damaged
If your device is lost, stolen, or damaged, your funds remain safe as long as your recovery phrase is secure. You can restore your wallet on a new Trezor device using that phrase.
This is why proper backup storage is essential. The device itself can be replaced; your recovery phrase cannot.
Moving Forward With Confidence
You have now taken an important step toward securing your digital assets. Trezor is designed to give you confidence, control, and independence.
Explore the features at your own pace, continue learning about best security practices, and always prioritize protecting your recovery information.
Welcome to self-custody. You are in control.