Introduction — Start your device the right way
"Starting Up Your Device" means safely powering on, initializing, or recovering your hardware wallet using a guided, device-first flow. This guide shares practical steps to start your device: download official software, verify installers, initialize or recover using the device screen, secure your recovery phrase offline, and connect to trusted wallet applications. Keywords for discoverability include Trezor.io/Start, Starting Up Your Device, and start your device.
1) Download official software & verify
Before you start your device, download companion apps only from legitimate vendor pages. For desktop workflows, download the official app installer and verify checksums or signatures if published. Verifying the installer reduces the chance of tampered files — always match the hash or signature against the vendor's published value before running the installer.
Quick verification steps
- Download the installer from an official domain (avoid search ad links).
- Download the published checksum or signature file if available.
- Run a local hash check (sha256/sha512) or PGP verify command against the signature.
- If verification fails, do not run the installer — re-download from the official source or contact support.
2) Inspect packaging & device
When your hardware device arrives, inspect packaging for tamper-evidence. If packaging appears opened or altered, do not use the device and contact official support. Starting up your device only after verifying packaging reduces supply-chain risk.
3) Initialize or recover on-device
During the start flow you'll be asked to initialize a new wallet or recover an existing one. Initialization generates the recovery phrase directly on the device — never enter this phrase into a computer or phone. For recovery, use the device's protected input flow. The device screen is the authoritative confirmation space: check words, addresses, and prompts there.
Recovery & seed best practices
- Write your recovery phrase by hand on the supplied card or on trusted paper/metal backup.
- Do not photograph, copy to cloud storage, or type the recovery phrase into any online form.
- Consider multiple physical backups stored in geographically separate secure locations.
- If you use a passphrase, record it separately and treat it as another secret — losing it can permanently lock access.
4) Connect to trusted apps & confirm on device
After initialization, connect the device to an official, trusted app (desktop or web). When you prepare transactions, always confirm the recipient address and amount on the device screen — the on-device display is the only trustworthy representation of the transaction that will be signed. This step is central to starting up your device safely and protecting funds.
5) Firmware updates & maintenance
The latest firmware includes security fixes and improvements. When prompted to update firmware during the start process or later, only update through the official app prompts and follow the on-device approvals. Make sure you have your recovery seed safely backed up before any firmware operation.
6) Avoid phishing & fake guides
Scammers publish fake "start" pages, cloned apps, and phishing instructions to trick users into revealing seeds or running malicious installers. Always get start instructions directly from the vendor's official support pages. If any guide asks you to enter your full recovery phrase into a website, stop immediately — that is a scam.
7) Troubleshooting common start issues
If your device is not recognized: try a different cable or USB port, unlock the device, restart the companion app, and ensure bridge/connectors (if required) are running. For web flows, check browser permissions and allow the connector service to run. If problems persist, consult the vendor's official support rather than third-party forums for step-by-step help.
8) Publishing & indexing tips for webmasters
To index start guides like this quickly in Microsoft Bing: serve pages over HTTPS, include structured data (JSON-LD), use descriptive meta tags and clear headings, submit sitemap.xml to Bing Webmaster Tools, and obtain a few reputable inbound links. Keep content original, helpful, and transparent — include a visible disclaimer if the page is not the official vendor page.