Trezor® Hardware Wallet — Getting started with Trezor™

Why a hardware wallet?

A hardware wallet is a small, dedicated device that stores the private keys which control your cryptocurrency. Compared with software wallets that keep keys on an internet-connected computer or phone, hardware wallets significantly reduce the risk of remote theft because signing operations occur inside the device and private keys never leave it. In short: the hardware wallet is a physical safe for your keys and you keep the only key to that safe.

Security principle: the host device (computer or phone) constructs transactions and presents them to the hardware wallet, but the wallet performs the cryptographic signing and requires on-device confirmation from you.

Before you begin — buy and inspect

Purchase your Trezor only from the official store or an authorized reseller. When your device arrives, examine the packaging and tamper-evident seals. If anything about the box, seal, or packaging seems altered or suspicious, stop and contact the vendor — do not initialize the device.

Prepare a quiet, private place for setup. Gather a pen and the recovery card included in the box (or a dedicated metal backup if you purchased one). Avoid public computers when performing initial seed generation or backups.

Install the companion software

Trezor Suite is the official companion application used to initialize the device, perform firmware updates, manage accounts, and build transactions. To install:

1. Open your browser and go to the official start page (verify the URL carefully).
2. Download the Suite for your operating system (Windows, macOS, Linux).
3. Install and open the app; it will check device connectivity and firmware status.

Note: Some advanced users use alternative software (Electrum, Sparrow, etc.) for specialized workflows — but initial setup and firmware updates are still ideally performed using the official tools.

Step-by-step setup

Understanding the recovery seed and backups

The recovery seed is the most important security artifact. Treat it like cash or a legal document. Best practices:

• Write the seed on paper or a durable metal backup; do not save it on phones, photos, or cloud storage.
• Store backups in a fireproof, waterproof safe if possible and consider geographically separating copies for redundancy.
• Test your recovery by performing a restore on a spare or test device to confirm the process works and your seed is recorded correctly.

If someone gains your recovery seed, they can recreate your wallet and steal your funds. Keep it offline and private.

Using Trezor Suite — everyday tasks

Once setup is complete, use Trezor Suite to manage accounts, view balances, create transactions, and apply firmware updates. Typical workflows:

• Receive: Generate a receive address in Suite and use the on-device address display to confirm the address before sharing.
• Send: Build the transaction in Suite, then verify amount, fee, and destination on the device screen before approving. The device will sign the transaction only after your physical confirmation.
• Portfolio: Use Suite's portfolio view to see overall holdings and history, but understand that balance displays are external views — the keys remain on the device.

Tip: For new recipients, send a small test amount first to confirm everything is correct.

Security practices and routines

A hardware wallet is a strong tool, but it works best when combined with disciplined habits:

• Keep firmware and Suite software up to date — updates bring security fixes and improvements.
• Always verify transaction details on the device screen before approving signatures.
• Never share your recovery seed, and be suspicious of anyone who asks for it (including people claiming to be support).
• Avoid using public or compromised computers for high-value transactions.
• Consider a multisig setup or multiple-device strategy for very large holdings to reduce single-point-of-failure risk.

Advanced workflows

Power users sometimes adopt additional patterns to increase security or privacy:

• PSBT workflows: Create partially signed transactions on an air-gapped machine and complete signing with the Trezor device.
• Multisignature: Split control across multiple devices or participants to require multiple approvals for spending.
• Passphrase-based hidden wallets: Use unique passphrases to create additional wallets that remain hidden unless the passphrase is provided.

These approaches raise complexity and operational overhead. Document procedures and test restores thoroughly before relying on them for large balances.

Troubleshooting common issues

• Device not detected: Try a different USB cable or port and avoid low-quality hubs. Unlock the device with your PIN. Restart Suite and your computer if needed.
• Firmware update failed: Do not disconnect during an update. If an update fails, follow official recovery instructions or contact support rather than using untrusted fixes.
• Lost device: If the device is lost but you have your seed, restore on a new device. If both hardware and seed are lost, funds cannot be recovered.
• Suspicious prompts or websites: Disconnect the device and verify you are using official Suite and vendor sources before proceeding.

Frequently asked questions

Can I use the same seed on other wallets?

Many wallets support standard mnemonic seeds (BIP39). Cross-restore is possible but watch derivation paths and address formats. Test with small amounts before migrating large balances.

Is a hardware wallet completely safe from malware?

No security measure is absolute. Hardware wallets dramatically reduce remote-extraction risk, but malware and phishing remain threats that target the user rather than key extraction. Verifying everything on the device reduces those risks significantly.

What if I forget my PIN?

If you forget the PIN, you will need to reset the device and restore from your recovery seed. The PIN protects local use, but the seed is the true recovery method.