Get started with your Trezor device

Trezor Start: Full Setup & Security Recommendations

Setting up a Trezor device via trezor.io/start is the first step toward secure self-custody of cryptocurrency. The process emphasizes three pillars: device authenticity, secure recovery, and cautious interaction. This guide walks through the practical steps to initialize your Trezor, verify firmware and device integrity, create a robust backup strategy, and safely connect to web applications and wallets using Trezor Bridge or WebUSB. Follow these recommendations to reduce risks and maintain long-term control over your assets.

Start by obtaining your device from an official channel. Unboxing should reveal the Trezor device and recovery card. If packaging appears tampered with, contact the vendor immediately. When you first connect the device and open trezor.io/start or Trezor Suite, the software will typically check firmware authenticity; do not skip these checks. Authenticity checks prevent tampered firmware from being installed on your device.

During setup, choose a PIN that balances memorability and complexity; avoid obvious sequences. The device will display a recovery seed—write this seed on the supplied recovery card, and store it offline in a secure place. Do not photograph the seed, store it in cloud storage, or type it into any application. For added resilience, consider using metal seed backup solutions that can withstand physical damage. If you must share custody across parties, use secret sharing techniques—but be aware that distributing seed shares increases coordination complexity.

Trezor Bridge and WebUSB/WebHID allow browser-based apps to talk to the device. When using trezor.io/start, the site will guide you to install Bridge if needed or request permission to access the device via the browser. Only grant permissions on the trusted origin and avoid clicking permission dialogs that appear unexpectedly. For developers, implement device enumeration and firmware checks in your integration and provide clear user messaging on how to approve requests on-device.

Verify transaction details on the device screen before approving. The device's display is the authoritative source showing addresses, amounts, and contract data. Host-level malware can try to alter UI representations on the host computer, but cannot change what the device displays. For complicated smart-contract approvals, review the contract and, if uncertain, execute a small test transaction first.

Keep Ledger and Trezor firmware and companion software up to date. While firmware updates often patch vulnerabilities, always perform updates through the official Trezor Suite or trezor.io/start flows and keep recovery backups available before performing major updates. Maintain a dedicated, clean environment for critical wallet operations when possible; using a fresh or minimal operating system profile reduces exposure to malware.

If you suspect compromise—lost seed, exposed device, or unexpected transactions—act quickly: disconnect devices, revoke known approvals (where applicable), and move funds to a freshly generated wallet on a secure device. Report incidents via official support channels and consult community resources for additional mitigation steps. Regularly review connected apps and revoke permissions that are no longer necessary to minimize attack surface.

In summary, trezor.io/start is the gateway to secure hardware wallet usage. By focusing on device authenticity, offline seed security, careful permission granting, and routine hygiene such as firmware and software updates, users can maintain high standards of custody. Educate yourself, follow official guidance, and treat your recovery seed as the ultimate secret—do this and you’ll be well-positioned to manage crypto assets safely for years to come.