Welcome to the future of digital asset security. If you've just purchased a Trezor device, you've taken the most important step in securing your cryptocurrency. This guide will walk you through the entire process at Trezor.io/Start to ensure your device is configured correctly and securely.

Introduction to Trezor Hardware Wallets

A hardware wallet is a physical device that stores your private keys offline, isolating them from internet-connected devices that could be vulnerable to hacks. Trezor, invented by SatoshiLabs, was the world's first cryptocurrency hardware wallet and remains the gold standard for cold storage. By using Trezor.io/Start, you ensure that you are downloading the authentic software required to interface with your device securely.

Whether you have the Trezor Model One, the Model T, or the new Trezor Safe 3, the setup process is designed to be intuitive yet rigorously secure. The philosophy is "Trust, but verify." Every step of the process allows you to verify actions on the physical device screen, ensuring that no malware on your computer can trick you into signing a transaction you didn't intend.

Step 1: Unboxing and Inspection

Before you even plug in your device, perform a physical inspection. Trezor devices come in tamper-evident packaging.

• Check the Hologram: The USB port should be covered by a holographic seal. If this seal is broken, removed, or looks different from the official photos on the Trezor website, do not use the device. Contact support immediately.
• Box Contents: Ensure the box contains the device, a USB cable, recovery seed cards, and a getting started guide.
• No Pre-installed Firmware: Trezor devices are shipped without firmware installed. If your device has firmware already on it, it may have been compromised.

Step 2: Connecting to Trezor.io/Start

To begin the digital setup, you need the bridge software that allows your computer to talk to the Trezor device.

1. Open your web browser (Chrome, Firefox, or Brave are recommended).
2. Navigate to trezor.io/start.
3. Select your specific device model (Model One, Model T, or Safe 3).
4. You will be prompted to download Trezor Suite. This is the desktop application that manages your wallet. While there is a web version, the desktop app is generally recommended for better security and phishing protection.

Step 3: Installing Firmware

Once Trezor Suite is installed and opened, connect your Trezor device using the provided USB cable.

The Suite will detect your device and likely tell you that it is in "Bootloader" mode or that no firmware is installed. Click the "Install Firmware" button. This process downloads the latest verified operating system from SatoshiLabs' servers and installs it onto your device. This ensures you are running the latest security patches and features.

Step 4: Creating a New Wallet

After the firmware installation is complete, the device will reboot. You will be presented with two options: "Create new wallet" or "Recover wallet". Since this is a new setup, select Create new wallet.

You will then choose between a "Standard Seed Backup" (recommended for most users) or "Shamir Backup" (advanced, available on Model T/Safe 3).

Step 5: The Recovery Seed (Crucial Step)

This is the most critical part of the setup. Your Trezor will generate a unique sequence of 12 to 24 words. This is your Recovery Seed.

WARNING: Your recovery seed is the master key to your funds. If you lose your Trezor device, this seed is the ONLY way to recover your money. If you lose the seed, your funds are gone forever.

• Write down the words exactly as they appear on the device screen onto the provided paper cards.
• NEVER take a photo of your seed words.
• NEVER type your seed words into a computer, phone, or password manager.
• NEVER store your seed in the cloud (Google Drive, iCloud, Dropbox).

After writing them down, the device will ask you to verify the words to ensure you wrote them correctly.

Step 6: Setting a PIN

To protect your device from unauthorized physical access, you must set a PIN code.

On the Model One, you will see a blind matrix on your computer screen and the numbers on your device screen. Click the corresponding positions on your computer. On the Model T and Safe 3, you can enter the PIN directly on the device's touchscreen or buttons.

Choose a strong PIN (4-6 digits recommended). This PIN will be required every time you plug in your device.

Step 7: Adding Accounts and Receiving Crypto

Congratulations! Your device is now set up. In Trezor Suite, you can now enable different cryptocurrencies.

To receive funds:

1. Click on the "Accounts" tab and select the coin you wish to receive (e.g., Bitcoin).
2. Click "Receive".
3. Click "Show full address".
4. Verify that the address shown on your computer screen matches the address shown on your Trezor device screen exactly. This prevents malware from swapping addresses in your clipboard.

Security Best Practices

Owning a hardware wallet means being your own bank. With that responsibility comes the need for vigilance.

• Keep your seed offline: We cannot stress this enough. Paper or metal backups only.
• Use a Passphrase: For advanced protection, you can enable a "Passphrase". This acts as a 25th word to your seed. Note that if you forget this passphrase, the funds in that hidden wallet are unrecoverable.
• Update Firmware: Periodically connect your device to Trezor Suite to check for firmware updates.