Author avatar showing a person icon in a circle By Andre Cronje 11 min read

How to Setup Trézor hardwaré Wallet

hardwaré wallets are physical devices that store your cryptocurrency private keys offline, providing a high level of security against hacking and theft. Trézor is one of the most popular hardwaré wallets available, known for its ease of use and robust security features.

In this guide, we will walk you through the steps to set up your Trézor hardwaré wallet, from unboxing to securing your crypto assets.

Trézor hardwaré wallet device showing a small black rectangular device with a screen displaying a green lock icon
Trézor hardwaré Wallet

What is a Trézor hardwaré Wallet?

A hardwaré wallet is a physical device designed to securely store your cryptocurrency private keys offline. Unlike software wallets, which are connected to the internet and vulnerable to hacking, hardwaré wallets keep your keys isolated from online threats.

Trézor wallets are manufactured by SatoshiLabs and support a wide range of cryptocurrencies. They connect to your computer or smartphone via USB or Bluetooth, allowing you to manage your crypto assets safely.

Using a hardwaré wallet like Trézor significantly reduces the risk of losing your funds due to malware, phishing attacks, or computer failures.

How Does Trézor Work?

When you set up your Trézor device, it generates a unique seed phrase (a series of 12 to 24 words) that acts as a backup for your wallet. This seed phrase is the master key to your crypto assets, so it must be kept secure and private.

The device signs transactions internally, meaning your private keys never leave the hardwaré wallet. This ensures that even if your computer is compromised, your funds remain safe.

Trézor also features a PIN code and passphrase protection to add extra layers of security.

Setting up your Trézor hardwaré Wallet

Follow these steps to set up your Trézor device:

Trézor box contents showing the hardwaré wallet, USB cable, recovery seed card, and user manual
Trézor Box Contents

Step 1: Connect your Trézor device

Use the USB cable to connect your Trézor wallet to your computer. Once connected, your device will power on and display a welcome message.

Visit https://Trézor.io/start to begin the setup process.

Trézor device screen showing a welcome message with a green lock icon and a button labeled 'Continue'
Trézor Welcome Screen

Step 2: Install the Trézor Bridge

The Trézor Bridge is software that allows your computer to communicate with the Trézor device. Download and install it from the official website.

After installation, refresh the setup page and your device should be detected.

Screenshot of Trézor Bridge installation page showing a progress bar and instructions
Trézor Bridge Installation Screen

Step 3: Create a new wallet or recover

You can either create a new wallet or recover an existing one using your seed phrase.

For new wallets, the device will generate a new seed phrase. For recovery, enter your existing seed phrase carefully.

Trézor device screen showing options to create a new wallet or recover an existing wallet
Create or Recover Wallet Screen

Step 4: Set a PIN

To protect your device, set a PIN code. The device will display a randomized keypad to prevent keyloggers from capturing your PIN.

Enter your PIN on the device screen to complete this step.

Trézor device screen showing a randomized keypad for PIN entry with a green 'Confirm' button
Set PIN Screen

Step 5: Choose cryptocurrencies

After setup, you can select which cryptocurrencies to manage with your Trézor wallet. The device supports Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, and many others.

Use the Trézor Suite app or compatible wallets to manage your assets.

Trézor Suite app screen showing a list of supported cryptocurrencies with checkboxes
Cryptocurrency Selection Screen

Additional Tips

Related Links

Author avatar showing a person icon in a circle

Andre Cronje

Crypto enthusiast and developer