Start securely: initialize your hardware wallet with confidence

Fast, practical steps to set up your device, create a durable backup, and safely move funds off exchanges.

Start setup Read guidance
  • Time: ~15 minutes to set up
  • Focus: Backup, PIN, recovery & device verification

Guide overview

Follow these four practical modules to own and protect your crypto.

Protect

How hardware wallets isolate private keys, why firmware verification matters, and simple routines to reduce risk.

Explore Protect →

Recover

Create durable backups, test restores safely, and understand passphrase trade-offs for privacy and access control.

Explore Recover →

Own

Best practices to verify addresses, inspect transactions on device, and maintain true ownership of funds.

Explore Own →

Manage

Tools and workflows for safe coin management, connecting wallet apps, and reducing exposure during transfers.

Explore Manage →

Step-by-step: set up your device

A concise setup checklist—do these steps the first time you open your hardware wallet.

Before you begin

  • Confirm device packaging has no signs of tampering.
  • Have a pen and recovery card or durable backup medium ready.
  • Plan a secure, offline place to store your backups.

Setup steps (about 15 minutes)

  1. Connect the device and install official firmware when prompted.
  2. Create a new wallet and generate the recovery phrase—write it down offline.
  3. Set a PIN using the device’s randomized keypad.
  4. Confirm a small test transaction to a verified address displayed on the device.

Never make a digital copy of your recovery phrase. Keep backups offline and test restores on a spare device when possible.

Read detailed guides

In-depth: Protect · Recover · Own · Manage

Protect: verify firmware & packaging

Install only official firmware. Verify the device prompts on-screen and confirm actions on the device before approving transactions.

Learn more →

Recover: backup strategies

Prefer physical backups (paper, metal). Consider geographic separation and test a restoration on a spare unit.

Learn more →

Own: transaction verification

Always verify the recipient address on the device screen before approving. Use small test transfers for new destinations.

Learn more →

Manage: app and token workflows

Connect to trusted wallet apps only. Keep firmware up to date and separate high value funds into multiple accounts if desired.

Learn more →

Guide Articles

Helpful articles and walkthroughs curated for device owners and new users.

Creating a durable recovery backup

Guide to physical backup options, metal backups, and test restores without exposing your funds.

Read →

Setting a secure PIN and passphrase basics

How to choose a PIN and what passphrases do — trade-offs between convenience and privacy.

Read →

Verifying addresses & preventing phishing

Simple routines to ensure you send funds to the intended address and avoid common scams.

Read →

Creating a durable recovery backup

By Trezor Start Team · Jan 10, 2025

Why durable backups matter

Digital storage can fail. A physical, fire- and water-resistant backup ensures you can recover funds even after disasters.

Recommended options

  • High-quality paper with multiple copies stored in different secured locations.
  • Metal engraving plates for long-term durability against fire and water.
  • Use geographical separation for redundancy (not all copies in one place).

How to test safely

Use a spare device and a test account with small funds to confirm the backup restores correctly. Do not restore your main holdings unless you are in a trusted, secure location.

See resources

Resources & downloads

Printable setup checklist

Step-by-step checklist you can print and follow while initializing your device.

Download →

Further reading

Curated reads on wallet backups, passphrase strategies, and transaction verification.

Open list →