Quickstart: set up Trezor Suite
Follow these steps carefully. This guide assumes you have a genuine Trezor device and a secure, offline place to store your recovery material.
1. Prepare & verify
Unbox your Trezor and inspect the packaging. Only use the official cable and avoid third‑party hardware during setup. Before connecting, go to the official website and download the latest Trezor Suite. On initial connection, the Suite will check your device firmware. Do not proceed if prompts or firmware details look suspicious — contact official support.
2. Initialize device
Follow the on‑screen steps in Trezor Suite. Choose to create a new wallet (recommended for new devices) and set a strong PIN you can remember. The device will generate a recovery seed — a critical piece of information that restores access to all assets if the device is lost. Write this seed down on paper or a metal backup such as Keep Metal; never store your seed as a digital file or in the cloud.
3. Confirm firmware & authenticity
Trezor Suite performs a firmware authenticity check. Always verify firmware installation on the device screen. A legitimate device will show the expected fingerprint and prompt for user confirmation. Firmware authenticity prevents the risk of compromised devices where an attacker might intercept keys or transactions.
4. Test small
Before moving large amounts, send a small test transaction from an exchange or another wallet to your Trezor to confirm correct addresses and that you understand the signing flow. Always verify the destination address on your Trezor’s screen before approving any transaction — never rely solely on the computer display.
5. Optional: add a passphrase
For added secrecy, you can use an optional passphrase. This creates a hidden wallet derived from your seed. Treat a passphrase like a separate secret: if lost, the hidden wallet is unrecoverable. Use only when you fully understand the tradeoffs and store the passphrase securely offline.
Safety Checklist (do these now)
Long-term best practices
Split backup copies across geographically separated secure locations if protecting substantial value. Periodically verify backups by attempting a recovery on a clean device (using testnet or small funds). Keep firmware updated, but only when confirmed by the official Suite. Limit sharing device photos or recovery material online — attackers can use such metadata to target you.
This quickstart and checklist provides an operational foundation. For detailed step-by-step walkthroughs, recovery options, and troubleshooting, consult the official Trezor documentation or book a guided session with a Trezor Expert.