This guide walks you step-by-step through starting up your Trezor hardware device. Whether this is your first hardware wallet or you are refreshing setup knowledge, the procedure focuses on safety, clarity, and practical actions: unboxing, firmware checks, creating or restoring a seed, and confirming your first transaction. Read these sections aloud if you're presenting in an office or meeting — the content is structured with headings (H1–H5) so you can jump quickly between topics.
Hardware wallets protect your private keys by keeping them offline. The initial startup is the most critical moment for security: mistakes here are irreversible. Use a clean computer, verify firmware and website addresses, and never share recovery words. The goal is to establish a secure, verifiable foundation for managing crypto assets.
trezor.io/start.Keep your recovery seed offline and consider using a fire- and corrosion-resistant backup for long-term safety.
When you unbox a new Trezor, verify the tamper-evident packaging and the serial number on the box. Compare packaging and labels with official images from the vendor website. Make sure the device feels sturdy and that connectors are intact.
Connect the device to your computer with the provided cable and visit trezor.io/start. Always confirm the browser shows the official domain and that the device screen matches expected prompts. If firmware needs updating, follow the official instructions to download only signed firmware from the vendor.
You must choose between creating a new seed (recommended for new users) or restoring an existing recovery. Creating a new seed generates a set of recovery words shown only on the device screen. Write them down in order and never store them digitally.
Follow on-device prompts carefully. The device will present each word — write them legibly and store the paper in a safe place. Consider a metal backup if you need long-term resilience against fire or water.
If restoring, input the words exactly as originally recorded. After restore, verify addresses and balances in the suite to confirm the process completed correctly.
Passphrase feature: add an additional secret phrase for plausible deniability and multi-account setups. Use this only if you understand passphrase implications.
Before moving significant funds, send a small test amount. Confirm the receiving address on the device screen before approving the send. This verifies the device and software are communicating properly and that your recovery maps to the expected addresses.
Periodically check for firmware updates and review security notices from the vendor. Keep your recovery seed physically secure and educate any co-signers or partners about safe handling. Never type your seed into a computer or phone.
This HTML is structured so you can present sections in sequence or skip between headings. For a 10-minute demo, focus on unboxing, firmware verification, seed creation, and a test transaction. For deeper workshops, add live Q&A and a hands-on restore exercise with a testnet or small amount.