Welcome — why a hardware wallet matters
Keeping your cryptocurrency safe starts with owning your keys. A hardware wallet stores your private keys offline in a tamper-resistant device so hackers, malware, and phishing pages cannot access them. This guide walks you through powering up your device, creating a recovery seed, installing the official Trezor Suite, and making your first secure transaction.
Step-by-step setup
Follow these steps in order. Skipping steps increases risk.
- Unbox and inspect. Verify the tamper-evident seal is intact. If anything looks altered, contact support immediately.
- Power the device. Connect via the included USB cable to a computer you trust. Newer models may support mobile setup — follow the prompts.
- Install Trezor Suite. Use the official app to guide firmware verification and initial setup. Always download from the official site or store listing.
- Create a new wallet. Choose “Create new” in the Suite. The device will display and then print the recovery seed words; write them down exactly as shown.
- Verify your seed. Your device will ask you to confirm a few words. This ensures your seed was recorded correctly.
- Set a PIN. Use a PIN you can remember but that’s hard to guess. Never store your PIN with your recovery seed.
- Make a small test transaction. Receive a small amount of crypto and send it back. Confirm addresses and amounts on the physical device screen — never rely solely on software previews.
These steps protect your keys and give you full control. If you already have a recovery seed from another wallet, select “Recover wallet” instead of creating a new seed.
Security best practices
Treat your recovery seed like the master key to your funds — if someone has it, they can take everything.
- Write your seed on the supplied recovery card or a metal backup — don’t photograph, screenshot, or store digitally.
- Never share your seed, PIN, or passphrase with anyone.
- Verify your device’s firmware in Trezor Suite before using it; only install official updates.
- Use a passphrase (optional) for an extra layer of protection — treat it like a password, not a hint.
- Store backups in separate, secure locations (e.g., a safe and a secure deposit box).
Your first transaction
After setup, practice with a small amount. Always confirm the receiving address on the device screen — this prevents malware from substituting addresses.
To send crypto: open Trezor Suite → Accounts → Send → Enter amount → Confirm address on device → Approve transaction on device. For advanced users, check fee estimation options and prefer UTXO management practices on Bitcoin.
Where to get help
We provide step-by-step articles, video guides, and community forums. If you suspect tampering or lost recovery words, contact official support immediately and avoid using the device for transactions until cleared.