Overview — What you’ll accomplish
This guide walks you through securely setting up your Trezor hardware wallet from first boot to managing assets with Trezor Suite. We’ll explain the role of Trezor Bridge, recommended security practices, and troubleshooting tips so you can safely store and transact cryptocurrency.
Why use a hardware wallet?
Hardware wallets store private keys offline. Compared with custodial or hot wallets, they reduce the risk of theft from malware and phishing. Pairing the device with secure companion software such as Trezor Suite gives you an easy interface while keeping keys isolated.
Before you begin — checklist
- Download only from the official starting page: Trezor.io/start.
- Unbox the device in private and keep the recovery card safe.
- Have a secure, offline location to store your recovery seed.
- Use the original USB cable that came with the device.
Step 1 — Download and verify
The first step is to visit Trezor.io/start and download the latest Trezor Suite for your operating system. Always verify the download details and checksums when provided. If you are asked for the recovery phrase at any point during installation, stop and verify you’re on the official instructions — never type your seed into a website.
Step 2 — Install and run Trezor Suite
Run the installer and open Trezor Suite. The app will guide you to connect your device. If prompted, allow the Trezor Bridge connection. The Suite will detect the device and walk you through initializing or restoring a wallet.
Step 3 — Create or restore wallet
Choose to create a new wallet (generates a new recovery seed) or restore using an existing recovery phrase. When creating a new wallet, write the recovery words with a pen on the provided recovery card — do not store them digitally. Confirm the words when prompted on the device screen.
Step 4 — PIN & device security
Set a PIN on the device. This protects your wallet if the device is physically stolen. Choose a PIN that’s memorable but not trivial — avoid repeating patterns. The PIN is required on-device before any transaction is authorized.
Step 5 — Adding accounts and managing assets
Inside Trezor Suite, add accounts for Bitcoin, Ethereum, or other supported coins. Suite provides transaction history and portfolio overview. When sending funds, always verify the address on the device display before confirming to avoid clipboard or malware-based tampering.
Using Trezor Bridge and Web3 apps
Trezor Bridge is a safe intermediary that allows desktop browsers and apps to access your Trezor without exposing keys. When using Web3 applications, ensure the dApp is reputable. Suite + Bridge together support signing transactions while keeping the key operations on-device.
Security best practices
- Never share your recovery phrase or PIN with anyone.
- Keep recovery seeds offline in a secure physical location.
- Use a dedicated machine for high-value transactions if possible.
- Update device firmware and Trezor Suite regularly.
Troubleshooting common issues
If Suite fails to detect your device, restart the app and browser, check cable and USB port, ensure Bridge is installed, and disable conflicting browser extensions. If you believe your device or seed is compromised, move funds to a new wallet immediately.
Advanced tips
For users managing multiple wallets, consider using multiple hardware devices and redundant, geographically-distributed backup of the recovery seeds. Using metal backup plates for long-term recovery phrase storage is a best practice for durability and fire/water resistance.
Summary
Following these steps will get you safely from unboxing to managing assets with Trezor Suite. Use Trezor Bridge when required to enable secure communications between Suite and device. Always keep security practices front and center — your private keys are your responsibility.