1. The Official Setup: Trezor.io/Start
When you unbox a new Trezor (whether it's the Safe 3, Safe 5, or Model T), the official "onboarding" happens through Trezor Suite.
- Step 1: Physical Inspection. Ensure the silver security seal on the box is intact. If it looks peeled or tampered with, do not use the device.
- Step 2: Visit the Real Site. Go to trezor.io/start. This page will prompt you to download the Trezor Suite desktop app.
- Step 3: Install Firmware. Official Trezor devices ship with no firmware installed. This ensures that you are the first person to install the software directly from SatoshiLabs.
- Step 4: Create a New Wallet. The device will generate a unique Recovery Seed (12, 20, or 24 words).
2. The Golden Rule of Crypto Security
If you remember only one thing today, let it be this: Never type your recovery seed into a website, app, or computer.
- The Device is the Barrier: Your Trezor is designed so that your private keys (the seed) never leave the physical hardware.
- Verification: If you need to "verify" your seed, the Trezor Suite app will ask you to enter the words on the device itself (or via a scrambled grid on your screen that only the device understands).
- Phishing Alerts: If a website—even one that looks like "Trezor.io/Start®"—asks you to type your 12 or 24 words into a text box on your browser, it is a scam. They will take those words and immediately move your funds to their own wallet.
3. How to Spot "Fake" Trezor Sites
Scammers often pay for "Sponsored" ads on search engines that look identical to the real site. Look for these red flags:
| Feature | Official Trezor | Phishing Scam |
|---|---|---|
| URL | trezor.io | trézor.io, trezor-start.com, trezor.io.security-update.net |
| Seed Request | Only on the physical device | Asks you to type it into the browser |
| Urgency | Standard setup flow | "Your account will be locked," "Action required by Feb 15" |
| Punctuation | Professional, clean text | Heavy use of ®, ©, or strange characters in the URL |
4. Current 2026 Threat: "Snail Mail" Phishing
As of early 2026, there has been a rise in physical mail scams. Some users have received letters at their home addresses claiming to be from Trezor, asking them to scan a QR code to perform a "mandatory authentication check."
- Trezor will never send you a physical letter asking for an update or your seed phrase.
- If you receive such a letter, ignore it and do not scan the QR code.
5. Maximizing Your Security
To ensure your assets stay safe for the long term:
- Use a Passphrase: This acts as a "13th" or "25th" word that is never stored on the device. Even if someone steals your physical seed card, they can't access your funds without the passphrase.
- Bookmark the Site: Once you've verified you are on
trezor.io, bookmark it and only use that link to access the web suite. - Update Only via Suite: Only update your firmware when the official Trezor Suite desktop app notifies you.