What to know before you begin

Trezor Start is the gateway for both new and experienced hardware wallet users to safely manage their cryptocurrency and private keys. This page is designed to be friendly and direct: it explains why a hardware wallet matters, walks you through the first connection, and highlights best practices so you can begin with confidence. A hardware wallet such as the Trezor model separates your private keys from the internet — a critical advantage when protecting digital assets. By keeping signing operations on a dedicated device you significantly reduce the risk of remote attacks, phishing, and malware that target software wallets. The first step is to check the box and visually inspect the device for tamper evidence. Always purchase hardware wallets from trusted sellers or directly from the manufacturer. When you open the box you should confirm the seal, check the device firmware version (if visible on the device screen), and only connect the device to a computer that you control. After you physically inspect the package, connect the Trezor to your computer and follow the on-screen instructions. The on-device display will show critical prompts for verifying the actions that the host computer requests. During setup you will create a recovery seed — a human-readable sequence of words that represents your private key. Write down the recovery seed on the card provided and store it in a secure location. Never store the recovery phrase on a computer, mobile phone, photo, or cloud storage. Treat it as you would a master key: if it is lost you may irreversibly lose access to your funds; if it is exposed an attacker can fully control them. Consider a redundant storage plan (e.g., two separate secure locations) and, for larger holdings, a split backup or a metal seed backup to increase physical durability. After your seed is safely stored, use the device to create a PIN. The PIN prevents someone who steals your device from immediately spending funds. For convenience and security, choose a PIN you can reliably remember but that is not easily guessed. The Trezor host interface will request PIN entries during critical operations so the device’s screen and your confirmation remain the ultimate authority. Once the device is initialized you can add accounts for different cryptocurrencies. Trezor supports many coins via the Trezor Suite app and through third-party wallet integrations. Carefully review addresses shown on the device when sending or receiving funds — if the address on the host app looks different from the address displayed on the Trezor screen, do not proceed until you understand why. Display verification on the device is the strongest defense against host-side compromise. Security tips: enable passphrase protection if you understand how passphrases work, keep firmware up to date using only the official update flow, and avoid sharing detailed system-level logs with unknown parties. Remember that social engineering is a common attack vector: support staff or forums will never ask for your seed or full PIN. If you must recover funds on another device, use an offline computer if possible and only restore your seed temporarily. Finally, treat hardware security like layered defense. Combine device protection with secure password managers, a disciplined email hygiene, and minimal use of exchanges for long-term storage. This balanced approach reduces single points of failure while providing practical day-to-day access. With careful setup and consistent habits, a hardware wallet like Trezor offers an accessible and robust foundation for managing digital assets long-term.