trezor.io/start is the official getting-started guidance intended to help new hardware wallet owners complete a secure setup. Its purpose is simple: reduce risk by walking users through verified steps so private keys remain under the user’s control and offline.

When you approach the start guidance, the focus is on four pillars: authenticity, initialization, backup, and daily operations. Authenticity means confirming the device is genuine and untampered. Initialization covers creating a PIN and generating the recovery seed. Backup is about storing that seed safely offline. Daily operations explain how to craft and verify transactions while keeping keys on the device.

The site emphasizes hands-on verification: every outgoing transaction must be confirmed on the device display using physical buttons. This prevents malware or compromised host devices from silently changing transaction recipients or amounts. The manual confirmation step is a fundamental defense of cold storage—private keys never leave the device during these operations.

During setup you will be guided to generate a recovery seed, a series of words that encode your wallet backup. The start guidance strongly recommends writing the seed on paper or an appropriate durable medium and storing it in a secure, offline location. It also warns against digital copies, screenshots, or cloud storage; any online exposure of the seed immediately increases risk.

For users who want extra precautions, the guidance covers optional features such as passphrase protection and multi-account management. Adding a passphrase can increase security and plausible deniability, but it also adds complexity: a lost passphrase means permanent loss of access. The start material helps users weigh these tradeoffs and adopt advanced protections only after mastering the basics.

Operational guidance includes testing with small transactions before transferring large sums, verifying receiving addresses on the device, and keeping firmware up to date with verified updates. Firmware updates are cryptographically signed; following verification steps prevents installing unauthorized software. Regularly updating firmware ensures you benefit from improvements and mitigations against new threats.

For recovery scenarios, the start guidance outlines restoring a wallet from the recovery seed on a new compatible device. It also provides clear steps to follow if the hardware is lost or damaged, stressing the importance of the offline backup as the single reliable recovery method.

Finally, trezor.io/start encourages users to consider their threat model. Different users face different adversaries—some are protecting modest savings from casual theft, others are guarding substantial holdings from targeted attacks. The guidance helps users choose appropriate physical and procedural safeguards based on their individual risk and the value they are protecting.

In short, trezor.io/start is not merely a checklist; it is a concise security primer that helps users move from unboxing to confident custody while minimizing common mistakes. Following its steps makes hardware wallet use safer, easier, and more reliable over the long term.

FAQ

What should I do first after unboxing?

Inspect the packaging for tamper signs, power on the device with a trusted host, create a PIN, and generate the recovery seed. Always write the seed down offline and store it securely.

How should I store my recovery seed?

Store it physically in a secure location such as a safe or bank deposit box. Avoid digital copies, and consider splitting or redundantly storing the seed in multiple secure locations if appropriate.

Can I update firmware safely?

Yes—apply only verified, digitally signed firmware updates following the device prompts. Do not run unofficial or unsigned firmware packages.

What is a passphrase and should I use it?

A passphrase is an optional extra word or phrase that augments your seed. It increases security but also increases responsibility; losing the passphrase means losing access.