Trezor.io/Start — Starting® Up® Your® Device®
This presentation guides you through the first-time setup and essential best practices for using your Trezor device safely. We'll cover unboxing, secure initialization, firmware checks, creating and storing your recovery seed, installing Trezor Suite, connecting to wallets, privacy tips, and troubleshooting. Each slide is timed — see the top-right reference for suggested seconds (data-duration).
Slide 2 — Unboxing & Physical Inspection
Visual inspection: what to look for
When you receive your Trezor, first confirm the packaging is sealed and untampered. Genuine devices typically ship in secure packaging with tamper-evident seals. Check for signs of damage or opened seals. If anything looks altered, do not proceed — contact the vendor or Trezor Support immediately via the official site link.
Contents checklist
- Device (Trezor Model One / Trezor Model T)
- USB cable
- Recovery card or sticker pack
- Quick start leaflet
Slide 3 — Connect & Verify Firmware
First connection
Use the supplied USB cable to connect your Trezor to a computer. Prefer a clean, trusted computer—avoid public or unknown machines. Open your browser and navigate to trezor.io/start, which will redirect you to the official flow.
Firmware checks
Trezor devices display firmware status on their screen. Always install the official firmware when prompted during the setup flow. Genuine devices will never ask you to install firmware from third-party sites. The official Trezor Suite or the start site will automatically fetch authentic firmware and verify it cryptographically before installation. Do not skip firmware verification.
Tip
If a firmware update fails or the device shows an unexpected message, pause and consult official Trezor docs. Treat any unusual prompts as potential red flags.
Slide 4 — Initialize & Create a PIN
Why a PIN matters
A device PIN protects the wallet when your device is physically accessed. The PIN is entered on the device's screen (or via the randomized on-screen matrix), making it resistant to keyloggers on your computer. Choose a PIN long enough to deter casual attackers but memorable enough for you. Never store your PIN together with the recovery seed.
Creating your PIN
- Follow the device prompts to set a PIN during the setup.
- Use the device's randomized keypad if offered to avoid exposing PIN entry patterns.
- Test PIN entry a few times until comfortable.
Recovery from forgotten PIN
If you forget the PIN, the only recovery method is the recovery seed: wipe the device, then recover using your secret phrase. This underscores why secure seed handling is critical.
Slide 5 — Creating & Securing Your Recovery Seed
What is the recovery seed?
The recovery seed (sometimes called seed phrase, mnemonic, or backup phrase) is a human-readable list of words that represents your wallet's private keys. If your device is lost, damaged, or stolen, anyone with the seed can fully restore your funds. Therefore, treat the seed as the highest-value secret you possess.
Best practices for seed creation
- Write the seed down by hand on the provided recovery card or a high-quality metal backup plate.
- Never store the seed in plain text on a computer, phone, or cloud storage.
- Consider using a metal backup (fire-, water-, and corrosion-resistant) for long-term safety.
- Make two or three geographically-separated copies stored securely (e.g., safe deposit box, home safe).
Seed protection & passphrase
Trezor supports optional passphrases (a 25th word). A passphrase provides an additional secret that creates a hidden wallet derived from the same seed. Use passphrases with care: losing the passphrase means losing access to that hidden wallet. Document your passphrase policies for future recovery.
Slide 6 — Install Trezor Suite (Official Software)
Why use Trezor Suite?
Trezor Suite is the official desktop (and web) app for managing your device, performing firmware updates, sending/receiving assets, and interacting with additional features. It offers a modern interface and reduces the risk of phishing by linking directly to the device’s verified endpoints.
Installation steps
- Download Trezor Suite from the official site or install the web version after visiting trezor.io/start.
- Open the Suite, connect your device, and follow the guided setup (firmware, PIN, seed).
- Set preferences such as currency display, privacy settings, and auto-lock timeout.
Slide 7 — Receiving, Sending & Confirmations
Receiving assets
Generate a receiving address in Trezor Suite or another compatible wallet while your device is connected. Confirm the address on the device screen — never rely only on the computer display. This step prevents address substitution attacks.
Sending transactions
When sending funds, carefully review the amount, fee, and destination address shown on your Trezor device display before confirming. Use built-in fee suggestions or advanced fee controls if you need faster confirmation.
Multiple confirmations & safety
For large transfers, consider a small test transaction first. Use transaction labeling and note provenance for bookkeeping and auditing.
Slide 8 — Privacy, Coin Control & Advanced Features
Improving privacy
Avoid reusing addresses; enable coin control features when available to reduce linkability. Trezor Suite supports label management and connects to privacy tools; however, extra privacy steps (like coinjoin) require additional research and trusted tools.
Advanced features
- Passphrase-protected hidden wallets
- Multisignature setups (via compatible services)
- Connecting with third-party wallets or DeFi interfaces
Security tradeoffs
Advanced features increase flexibility but also complexity. Always test new workflows with small amounts before committing large balances, and consult official documentation or community resources for step-by-step guidance.
Slide 9 — Troubleshooting & Disaster Recovery
Common issues
If your device is unresponsive, check the cable and ports first. Try another trusted computer. For firmware errors or odd behavior, consult the Trezor Suite logs and official support channels. Avoid third-party fixes that require entering your seed into unknown tools.
Recovering using your seed
To recover, use a new (or freshly reset) hardware wallet and follow the official restore flow, entering your seed on the device when prompted. Double-check each word and keep the process private. Never reveal your seed to anyone — Trezor staff will never ask for it.
When to contact official support
Contact Trezor Support via the official website if you see clear tampering, repeated firmware verification failures, or behavior inconsistent with documentation. Use the support portal on trezor.io for authenticated help.
Slide 10 — Summary, Resources & Next Steps
Key takeaways
1) Always verify device integrity and firmware through the official flow. 2) Treat your recovery seed as the single most valuable secret—store it offline and ideally on robust media. 3) Use Trezor Suite for day-to-day management and confirm addresses/transactions on the device screen. 4) Use a strong PIN and consider optional passphrase protection carefully.
Official resources
- Trezor Start — Official Guided Setup
- Trezor Support & Documentation
- Trezor Suite (Web/Desktop)
- Open in PowerPoint Online — import this HTML or screenshots into a deck
Next steps
Finish your initialization, make secure backups, and practice small transactions to become comfortable. Consider scheduling a periodic check (every 6–12 months) to verify backups and firmware. Security is an ongoing process; stay informed via official channels.