Begin Here® | Trezor.io/start® – Trezor*
Setting up a hardware wallet is the most important step in taking true control of your digital assets, and the journey begins at the official start page. This page acts as a guided onboarding hub where new and existing users can safely initialize their device, download the companion application, and learn the essential security practices that protect their funds. By following the on‑screen instructions carefully, even complete beginners can complete the first‑time setup in a matter of minutes while avoiding common security pitfalls.
The start experience is designed around a simple idea: every user should be able to verify they are on the authentic site, install the genuine software, and pair their device without exposing their recovery data to online threats. When you land on the start page, you are asked to choose your hardware model, which tailors the guidance to your specific device, such as Model One, Model T, or newer Safe‑series wallets. Once a model is selected, the site walks through each major step one at a time, from connecting the device by USB to confirming what appears on the physical screen.
A central part of this flow is downloading the official management application, often referred to as a full‑featured desktop and web interface for your wallet. This application lets you manage accounts, view balances, sign transactions, and access additional tools, all while keeping your private keys isolated on the hardware device. The start page links directly to trusted installers for major operating systems like Windows, macOS, and Linux, which helps you avoid counterfeit downloads hosted on phishing domains. After installing, the app recognizes your connected device and prompts you to begin setup or connect an existing wallet.
For new devices, the first recommendation is usually to install or update the firmware. Hardware wallets are shipped either without firmware or with a minimal image so that the user performs the initial firmware installation themselves. This process ensures that the code running on the device is up to date and comes from an official, verified source. During installation, you confirm actions on the device screen, which prevents malware on a computer from silently altering critical steps. Once the firmware is installed and verified, the device reboots and is ready to create or restore a wallet.
Creating a brand‑new wallet triggers the generation of a recovery seed, often presented as 12, 18, or 24 words depending on the model and configuration. These words form the offline backup of your wallet and must be written down exactly, in the correct order, and stored somewhere safe and private. The onboarding instructions emphasize several key rules: never photograph the seed, never type it into a phone or computer, never upload it to cloud storage, and never share it with anyone. If someone obtains those words, they can take full control of the wallet, so treating this backup as highly sensitive information is essential.
After the seed is backed up, the next layer of protection is setting a PIN for the device itself. The PIN prevents someone who physically gains access to the hardware from using it without permission. The interface typically warns against choosing obvious combinations such as 0000 or 1234 and encourages a longer, less predictable code. On supported models, users can also enable an optional passphrase, which acts like an extra word added to the seed and creates additional hidden wallets for advanced privacy and security strategies. With a strong PIN and, if desired, a passphrase set, local access to the device becomes significantly harder for attackers.
Once initialization is complete, the app opens a dashboard showing your portfolio, account list, and recent activity. From here you can add supported coins, generate receive addresses, and send transactions using the hardware device to approve each operation. When you receive cryptocurrency, you can compare the address shown in the app with the one displayed on the device screen to ensure they match, which mitigates the risk of address‑swapping malware. Every outgoing transaction must be confirmed on the device itself, so even if the connected computer is compromised, the attacker cannot move funds without access to the physical wallet and the correct PIN.
The start environment also links to educational and troubleshooting resources, such as guides for specific devices, knowledge base articles, and security tips. New users can learn what to do if the device shows an unfamiliar warning, how to verify authenticity, or how to recover a wallet onto a replacement device using the recovery seed. In some ecosystems, there is even an option to book an expert onboarding session, where a trained specialist walks you through setup and answers questions about backup, firmware, and best practices. These resources exist to reduce confusion and help users feel confident as they transition from custodial platforms to self‑custody.
The overarching message of any “Begin Here” experience is consistent: always start from the official URL, double‑check the address in your browser, and never follow unsolicited links claiming to be setup portals. Phishing pages often imitate the look of the real site but may prompt users to type their recovery seed into a web form or install malicious software. By memorizing the correct domain, using bookmarked links, and relying on the trusted application, you dramatically lower the risk of falling for these attacks. Combined with careful handling of your backup and a secure PIN, this approach gives you a robust foundation for long‑term cryptocurrency storage.
If you are creating content or a landing page around this theme, you can safely adapt the structure above, add device‑specific screenshots, and supplement it with your own explanations of security concepts. Just be sure not to copy wording from official materials verbatim and always point users toward the genuine start URL and official applications so they stay protected throughout their self‑custody journey.