A friendly, technical walkthrough to get your hardware wallet ready
Getting started — quick, secure, and authoritative
This step-by-step guide helps you download Trezor Suite, initialize your device, create and secure your recovery, add accounts, and adopt safety practices that reduce risk. The content below is practical, technical, and aimed at people who want a clear, defensible onboarding process.
Keys are generated inside the device. Signing happens on-device — hosts only present unsigned payloads.
Open-source
Firmware and Suite codebases are auditable; community review improves security.
Cross-platform
Desktop app and web flows supported with WebUSB and native transports.
Download & verify Trezor Suite
Always download software and firmware from the official vendor domain. If checksums or signatures are published, verify them before running installers. Prefer the latest stable release, and avoid snapshots or third-party builds unless you know what you’re doing.
1
Official site only
Open a fresh browser and navigate to the vendor’s verified URL — typographical alt domains are common in phishing.
2
Download and checksum
Download the installer for your OS and check the SHA256 (or PGP) fingerprint if provided. On Linux, prefer distribution packaging or AppImage if available.
3
Install
Run the installer and grant only necessary permissions. If using the browser flow, ensure WebUSB is allowed for the domain and your browser is updated.
If you have any doubt about the installer’s integrity, do not proceed. Reach out through verified support channels or use a clean machine.
Initialize your device — generate a secure seed
Initialization must be done in a private, trusted environment. The device will display your recovery words directly on its screen; record them physically in the correct order. Never type the seed into a computer or photograph it.
1
Unbox & inspect
Verify packaging and tamper-evident seals. Procure devices only from authorized sellers to minimize supply-chain risk.
2
Connect & open Suite
Connect the device by USB and open the Suite. Follow on-screen steps to create a new wallet or restore.
3
Create a seed
The device displays each word; write them in order. Use supplied recovery cards or a metal backup for long-term durability.
4
Confirm & set PIN
Confirm the words when prompted. Set a PIN to protect against physical access; the device will lock and may wipe after repeated wrong attempts.
5
Optional passphrase
Enable a passphrase for hidden wallets only if you understand the operational complexity — losing it means permanent loss of those accounts.
Write the seed in permanent ink, store offline, and consider geographically separate backups for emergency recovery.
Add accounts & receive funds
After initialization, add blockchain accounts in Suite. Addresses are derived from the seed and shown on-device for verification. Receipt and sending are simple flows — the device enforces confirmation before any signature is returned.
1
Add an account
Select the chain (e.g., Bitcoin, Ethereum) and let the Suite scan derivation paths to present accounts.
2
Receive with verification
Click Receive in the Suite and verify the displayed address on the device screen — senders must use the device-confirmed address.
3
Send & sign
Build the transaction in the Suite; before signing, verify amount, destination, and any contract data on-device.
If you use third-party wallets, keep in mind address formats and derivation path compatibility — test with small amounts first.
Security best practices — defend the whole chain
Security is layered: device, host, network, and human practices. The device protects keys, but user choices determine long-term safety.
Device protections
Secure Element key isolation
PIN with retry-limits
On-device confirmation for signing
Operational practices
Buy from authorized sellers only
Keep backups offline and test recovery
Use multisig for organizational funds
Other tips: keep firmware updated from verified releases; minimize exposure of recovery words; and enable passphrase only when you can securely manage it.
Developer notes — integrating signing flows
Developers should preserve the signing boundary: build unsigned transactions on the host, display readable transaction summaries to the user, then request signatures from the hardware using official libraries and transports (WebUSB, Node-HID, etc.).
// Conceptual example (pseudo-code)
const transport = await TrezorTransport.create();
const payload = buildUnsignedTx(inputs, outputs);
const signed = await transport.signTransaction({path: "m/44'/0'/0'/0/0", payload});
broadcast(signed.rawTx);
// Never log private keys or raw sensitive payloads in production logs.
Test thoroughly on public testnets and implement robust error handling for device disconnects and permission revocations.
FAQ & troubleshooting
What if I lose my device?
Use your recovery seed to restore on a compatible device. If a passphrase was used, you must provide it to recover those specific wallets.
Is my seed safe to type into software?
No. Never enter your recovery seed into software, forms, or websites. Only input it into a trusted device during recovery and keep it offline.
Firmware update failed — what now?
Do not share your seed. Retry on a trusted machine, ensure the Suite installer is verified, and contact verified support if problems persist.
Can I use this device for multisig?
Yes. Hardware devices commonly act as cosigners for multisig setups; combine multiple devices for improved treasury security.
If you encounter suspicious behavior — unusual prompts, mismatched addresses, or unexpected firmware requests — pause, disconnect, and verify through official channels.