Trezor — Get Started Guide

Quick start — what you’ll need

Welcome! This page is an in-depth example of a “get started” guide for a hardware wallet inspired by Trezor. It’s intended to be educational and to help you understand best practices for setup, day-to-day use, backups, and recovery. This example is not an official manufacturer page. Always follow the official instructions from your device maker.

Before you begin

Gather the items below so setup goes smoothly:

• Your hardware wallet device (new, sealed package preferred).
• A computer or mobile device with the companion app or web-based interface supported by your wallet.
• A secure, private place to write down your recovery seed (paper and pen; consider multiple copies).
• Optional: an additional device for verification, and a printer if you want a printed recovery sheet.

Step-by-step setup

Verifying your setup

After initialization, verify that the device displays the same recovery words you wrote down. Confirm that the companion software detects the device and shows account addresses matching the device. Never enter your seed into the computer.

Security fundamentals

Hardware wallets protect your private keys by keeping them isolated on a secure element. That isolation reduces the attack surface compared with software wallets, but safe operation still requires careful behavior. The paragraphs below provide practical guidance that, collectively, represent crucial precautions.

Seed phrase – the single most important asset

The recovery seed (usually 12–24 English words) is the master key to your funds. Treat it like cash or a safe deposit key. Best practices:

• Write the seed down on the provided recovery card or multiple physical copies — never store it digitally (no photos, no cloud storage, no text files).
• Store copies in separate secure locations (e.g., a home safe and an offsite safe deposit box).
• Consider steel backup plates for long-term durability against fire, water, and aging.
• Never reveal your seed to anyone — support will never ask for it.

Firmware & software updates

Keep your device firmware and companion app updated. Firmware updates patch vulnerabilities and add features. Always verify update prompts on the device screen and confirm firmware signatures through the official app or vendor instructions.

Phishing and social engineering

Phishing attacks attempt to trick you into revealing secrets or installing malicious software. To avoid them:

• Bookmark the official vendor website and use that bookmark rather than following links from emails or social media.
• Double-check domain names — attackers often register look-alike domains.
• Never enter your seed into a website or app; the seed belongs only on the device and in your offline backup.

Using your wallet day-to-day

Daily operations like checking balances and sending transactions require care but are straightforward once set up. Core steps when sending funds:

1. Open the official companion app or web interface.
2. Connect your device and unlock with your PIN.
3. Create a transaction in the app and check the destination address carefully.
4. Confirm the transaction details on the device screen before approving. The device is your last trust anchor to verify address and amounts.

Address verification

Always visually verify that the receiving address shown in the companion app matches the address displayed by the hardware device. Malware on the host computer can change addresses in the app — the device display is the authoritative check.

Backup, recovery, and loss scenarios

Preparedness is the key to surviving device loss, damage, or theft. With a valid recovery seed, you can restore funds to a new compatible wallet. Test your recovery process in a controlled way if you can — create a test wallet and practice restoring it to be confident you understand the steps.

What to do if you lose the device

If your hardware wallet is lost or stolen but your recovery seed is safe, purchase a new compatible device and restore the wallet using your recovery seed. If you suspect the seed may have been exposed, move funds to a new wallet created from a freshly generated seed as soon as possible.

What to do if your seed is exposed

If you think the seed was exposed (e.g., you showed it to someone, took a photo of it, or stored it digitally), consider those funds compromised. Transfer assets to a new wallet with a new seed generated on a clean device immediately.

Advanced topics

Passphrase (25th word) — pros and cons

A passphrase is an optional extra secret that augments your seed, creating a distinct hidden wallet. It offers plausible deniability and an extra security layer but increases complexity. If you use a passphrase:

• Choose a passphrase you can reliably reproduce but that is not guessable.
• Record whether a passphrase is in use and store that detail securely; forgetting it means losing access to the hidden wallet.
• Understand that different passphrases create different wallets — the same seed with two different passphrases are completely separate.

Multi-signature and integration

Advanced users often split control of funds across multiple hardware wallets using multi-signature setups. This increases security by requiring multiple devices to sign a transaction. Multi-sig setups are more complex to configure and recover, so document your process and test recoveries carefully.

Coin support and compatibility

Most modern hardware wallets support many cryptocurrencies, but each wallet has a defined set of supported chains and token types. Before sending significant funds, verify the destination chain and token compatibility between wallets. Sending a token to an unsupported chain can permanently lose funds.

Troubleshooting

Device not recognized

If your device is not recognized by the companion app:

• Try a different USB cable and USB port.
• Reboot the computer and reconnect.
• Try connecting from another device to isolate whether the problem is the host or the hardware wallet.

Firmware update issues

If an update fails, follow manufacturer recovery instructions. Do not unplug the device mid-flash unless instructed, and ensure a stable power connection. If the device appears bricked, many vendors provide recovery tools or steps to restore factory firmware without losing the seed (the seed remains the ultimate backup).

Privacy considerations

Hardware wallets protect keys, but on-chain transactions can still be linked. Use best practices for privacy:

• Avoid address reuse.
• Consider using coin-privacy tools (coinjoins, mixers, privacy-focused wallets) when appropriate and legal in your jurisdiction.
• Understand that exchanges and some wallet services may collect identifying information if you interact with them.

Common FAQs

Checklist — before you store large amounts

• Confirm you have a complete, legible physical backup of the recovery seed stored safely.
• Have applied any available firmware updates and verified signatures.
• Test sending a small transaction first to confirm everything works as expected.
• Document whether you use a passphrase and how you will reliably reproduce it when needed.

Legal and safety notes

This example page is educational and not legal advice. Laws around cryptocurrency vary by jurisdiction. Keep records of what you need for tax or regulatory compliance, and consult a professional if you are unsure about legal obligations.

Further resources

For official downloads, firmware verification instructions, and vendor-specific support, always consult the device manufacturer’s official website and support center. They provide up-to-date tools, official checksums and signature verification procedures, and device-specific recovery guides.