Overview
Trezor is a family of hardware wallets that keeps your private keys offline while enabling safe transacting with major cryptocurrencies and NFTs. This brief presentation walks you through the essentials: unboxing, first-time setup, basic use, recovery, and best practices for long-term security.
Why a hardware wallet?
Hardware wallets isolate private keys from internet-connected devices. Even if your computer is compromised, an attacker cannot sign transactions without the physical Trezor device and your PIN.
What you need
- Trezor device (Model T or One)
- USB cable or adapter compatible with your device
- A computer or phone with a supported browser or the Trezor Suite app
- A secure, private space to write down your recovery seed
Step-by-step: First-time setup
1. Verify packaging & device
Only use a device purchased from an official retailer. Verify the tamper-evident seals and initial device screen prompts. If anything looks altered, stop and contact support.
2. Connect and visit the start page
Open a browser and go to https://trezor.io/start. Follow on-screen instructions to install the latest firmware and the Trezor Suite if desired.
3. Create a new wallet
Choose to create a new wallet and write down the recovery seed on the provided card — never store the seed digitally. Confirm the seed when prompted; this verifies you wrote it down correctly.
4. Set a PIN
Set a strong PIN that’s easy for you but hard for others to guess. The Trezor requires the PIN to confirm transactions.
Using your Trezor
Install the Trezor Suite desktop or use supported web wallets. When you create or receive an address, always verify the address on the device screen before sending funds. The device signs transactions offline — you confirm details on the device itself.
Receiving & sending
- Use the "Receive" flow to generate a fresh address and verify it on-device.
- When sending, review amounts and destination on the Trezor screen before approving.
Recovery & backup
Your 12–24 word recovery seed is the only backup to your funds. If your device is lost, stolen, or damaged, you can restore your wallet with the seed on a new Trezor or compatible wallet. Keep the seed offline and hidden in multiple secure locations if needed.
Advanced: Passphrase
A passphrase adds an extra layer (a 25th word) that creates hidden wallets; use this only if you understand the risks and have a secure way to remember it — losing it means losing access to those hidden funds.
Best practices
- Buy only from official channels.
- Never share your seed or PIN.
- Keep firmware updated via official channels.
- Test a small transfer before moving large amounts.