Trezor.io/start ™ | Official Trezor® Wallet Activation

Introduction

This page explains how to activate a Trezor® hardware wallet using the official start page at Trezor.io/start. It covers the essential steps: unboxing, connecting, initializing, choosing a PIN, writing down your recovery seed, verifying addresses and performing basic troubleshooting. The goal is to help you complete the setup securely and confidently while preserving full control over your private keys.

Before you start

• Ensure you purchased the device from an authorized seller and the packaging is intact.
• Use a secure, personal computer that you trust; avoid public or shared machines.
• Have a pen and the recovery seed card or notebook ready to record your recovery words offline.
• Never share your recovery seed with anyone and never store it digitally unencrypted.

Activation — step by step

1. Navigate to the official start page: In your browser type trezor.io/start (verify the domain carefully). Follow the prompts to open the official Trezor Suite or the recommended web flow.
2. Connect your device: Use the supplied cable to connect the Trezor device to your computer. The device screen will guide you through initial prompts. Confirm that the device shows an official welcome message and the model name.
3. Install/launch Trezor Suite: If required, install or open the official Trezor Suite application. Only follow links that come from the verified site and check any prompts before installing software.
4. Initialize the device: Choose “Create a new wallet” on the device when prompted. The device will generate a random recovery seed — a sequence of words representing your private key backup.
5. Choose a PIN: You will be asked to pick a PIN to protect access to the hardware wallet. Choose a PIN you can remember but that is not easily guessable. The PIN is entered on the device (not the computer) which keeps it secure from typical keyloggers.
6. Write down the recovery seed: The device will show 12, 18 or 24 words (depending on device and chosen settings). Write them down in the exact order on a physical medium — do not photograph or digitize them. Confirm the words when prompted by the device.
7. Verify setup: Trezor Suite will often verify the device and ask you to confirm the recovery words in a test. Complete verification as instructed to ensure the seed matches the device.
8. Create or import accounts: After initialization, you can create Bitcoin, Ethereum and other cryptocurrency accounts in the Suite. Always double-check receiving addresses on the hardware device screen before receiving funds.

Security tips and best practices

• Keep the recovery seed offline and private: The recovery phrase is the ultimate key to your funds. Store it in a safe location, ideally in two physically separate and fireproof locations, and never online.
• Check device tampering: If packaging looks tampered with or the device displays unexpected messages on first boot, stop and contact official support.
• Use passphrases with caution: Advanced users can add an optional passphrase for extra protection, but it changes wallet access semantics — losing the passphrase equals losing access to the funds unless you have it recorded separately. Understand the implications before enabling.
• Confirm addresses on-device: Always confirm any address displayed by Trezor on its built-in screen before sending funds. The computer can be compromised; the hardware display is the single source of truth.
• Keep software updated: Apply official firmware and Suite updates from the verified website to ensure you have security fixes and compatibility improvements.

Troubleshooting & FAQs

1. Device not recognized: Try a different USB cable or port, restart the computer and ensure you're using the official start page. Avoid USB hubs during initial setup.
2. Forgot PIN: A forgotten PIN requires a device reset and recovery using your seed. That is why the seed backup is essential. If you do not have the seed, recovery is impossible.
3. Lost recovery seed: If your recovery seed is lost and you still have access to the wallet, immediately create a new wallet and transfer funds to it after generating a fresh seed. If both seed and device are lost, access cannot be recovered.
4. Suspicious prompts or messages: If you see unexpected warnings or prompts during activation, disconnect and visit the official domain directly to verify instructions. Never enter your recovery words into a website or a computer.

Final notes

Activating a Trezor® wallet using Trezor.io/start is straightforward when you follow secure practices: use the official site, write down your recovery seed offline, protect your PIN, and verify addresses on-device. Treat your recovery seed like the key to a safe — it must remain secret, physical, and protected.