🛡️ Digital Fortress Activated: Your Essential Guide to Getting Started at Trezor.io/start

Welcome to the forefront of self-custody. Your Trezor hardware protector is a powerful tool designed to give you **complete and sovereign control** over your digital assets. This guide will walk you through the crucial initial setup process using the dedicated **Trezor Suite** application, ensuring your wealth is secured for the long term. Start your journey into decentralized finance with confidence.

STEP 1

The Portal: Accessing Trezor Suite

The first step is establishing your secure connection. You will use the official Trezor application, **Trezor Suite**, which is the primary interface for managing your device and assets.

Direct Access: Navigate your web browser directly to **Trezor.io/start**.
Software Choice: You will be prompted to either download the dedicated desktop application (highly recommended for the best security and user experience) or continue with the web version.
Preparation: Download and install the application or launch the web application. Have your Trezor device and the accompanying USB cable ready.
Initial Connection: Connect your Trezor hardware protector to your computer using the cable. The Suite application should automatically recognize your device.

STEP 2

Authenticity and Core Installation

Security begins with a genuine device. This step verifies your hardware protector and installs the essential foundational software, known as the firmware.

Device Check: Trezor Suite will run an initial authenticity check. Observe the packaging carefully for any sign of tampering. If anything appears suspicious, **do not proceed** and contact the official support channel immediately.
Firmware Installation: Your new device is shipped without any pre-installed core software. Follow the on-screen prompts in Trezor Suite to install the latest, official firmware. This process is crucial and ensures your device operates securely.
Confirmation: The device screen will often require you to confirm the installation and the unique fingerprint of the core software. Always verify the details on the physical device screen itself.

STEP 3

The Master Key: Creating Your Wallet Backup

This is the single most important step. Your **Wallet Backup** (also known as a recovery phrase or seed) is the master key to your digital assets. It allows you to restore your entire wallet on a new device if your original Trezor is lost, damaged, or stolen.

Initiate Backup: Select **"Create new wallet"** in Trezor Suite and choose the standard backup option.
Offline Recording: Your Trezor device will display a sequence of 12, 18, or 24 words (depending on the model and settings) on its screen. **Write these words down in the exact order** on the provided Wallet Backup card.
Critical Safety Rule: This phrase must **never** be digitally stored (no photos, screenshots, or typing it on any computer). It must remain offline, physical, and highly secure. This is your vault key.
Verification: The Suite may prompt you to confirm a few of the words for verification. This confirms you have accurately recorded the phrase.

**⚠️ Extreme Security Note:** Your Wallet Backup *is* your money. Anyone with this sequence can access your funds. Trezor will *never* ask you for this phrase. Keep it secret and safe, treating it like a physical bearer bond.

STEP 4

Layered Defense: Setting Your Access Code (PIN)

Once your Wallet Backup is secured, you must set an access code (often referred to as a PIN) to protect your device from unauthorized physical access.

On-Device Input: You will set the PIN directly on the device screen (or via the randomized grid on the computer screen for the Trezor Model One). **Do not** enter your PIN on your computer's number pad.
Confirmation: You will be required to enter the PIN twice. Note that the numeric layout on the device or in the Suite will change between the two entries for enhanced security.
Best Practice: Use a memorable but long sequence of numbers. A stronger PIN adds a crucial layer of defense against physical theft.

STEP 5

Finalizing and Funding Your Secure Account

With the core security steps complete, you can now finalize the setup and begin interacting with your protected digital assets.

Activate Currencies: Trezor Suite will prompt you to select and activate the digital currencies you wish to manage. You can change this selection at any time later in the settings.
Name Your Protector: You may optionally assign a unique name to your Trezor device for easy identification.
Access Suite: Once the setup is complete, you can access the main Trezor Suite dashboard.
Receiving Funds: To begin securing your assets, navigate to a specific currency account within the Suite and select **"Receive."** The application will generate a unique digital address. **Crucially, always verify this receiving address on your physical Trezor device screen before confirming the transaction.** This prevents sophisticated attacks.

ADVANCED STEP

Enhancing Security with a Passphrase (Hidden Wallet)

For users seeking the highest level of protection, Trezor offers the **Passphrase** feature, which creates a 'hidden' wallet separate from your standard wallet backup.

What it is: A Passphrase is an extra, self-chosen sequence of words, letters, or symbols that acts as a 25th word, creating an entirely new, distinct digital vault address.
How it works: If someone gains access to your physical Trezor and your standard wallet backup, they still cannot access your assets without knowing the exact Passphrase.
Important: If you use a Passphrase, you **must** remember it. It is never stored on the device or the Wallet Backup card. Losing it means permanent loss of access to the funds secured under that specific phrase.