Starting Up Your Journey: The Official Trezor.io/start Guide (2026)
Welcome to the future of financial sovereignty. By choosing a Trezor hardware wallet, you have opted for the gold standard in self-custody. Whether you are unboxing the Trezor Safe 3, the touchscreen-enabled Trezor Safe 5, or the premium Trezor Safe 7, your path to ultimate security begins at the official portal: Trezor.io/start.
In 2026, setting up your device is more intuitive than ever, featuring cryptographic authenticity checks and advanced backup options like Multi-share.
Step 1: Secure Your Software
The very first step is ensuring you are in a safe environment.
- Go to Trezor.io/start: Always type this manually into your browser to avoid phishing sites.
- Download Trezor Suite: This is the desktop application (available for Windows, macOS, and Linux) that acts as the control center for your assets.
- Verify Installation: Trezor Suite now includes built-in signature verification to ensure the software hasn't been tampered with during download.
Step 2: Connect and Authenticate
Connect your Trezor to your computer using the provided USB-C cable.
- Device Security Check: Trezor Suite will automatically run a security check.
- Genuine Check (New for 2026): For Safe 5 and Safe 7 models, the app performs a Secure Element authenticity check. This cryptographic handshake confirms the device was genuinely manufactured by SatoshiLabs and has not been intercepted or modified.
Step 3: Install Firmware
Your device ships with no firmware installed. This ensures that you receive the most recent, secure version directly from Trezor.
- Click "Install Firmware." * You can choose between Standard firmware (supports 1000+ assets) or Bitcoin-only firmware (reduces the "attack surface" by removing all non-Bitcoin code).
Step 4: Create Your Wallet & Backup
This is the most critical moment. Select "Create New Wallet."
Choosing Your Backup Type:
- Single-share Backup: The traditional method using a 12, 20, or 24-word recovery seed.
- Multi-share Backup (Shamir): Available on newer models, this allows you to split your recovery seed into multiple "shares" (e.g., a 2-of-3 setup). This eliminates the "single point of failure" if one backup card is lost or stolen.
⚠️ THE GOLDEN RULE: Write your words on the provided recovery cards. Never take a photo, never type them into a computer, and never store them in the cloud. If you lose these words, your funds are gone forever.
Step 5: Set Your PIN
Your PIN protects your physical device from unauthorized access.
- On the Trezor Safe 5 and 7, you will enter this directly on the high-res color touchscreen.
- On the Safe 3, you will use the physical buttons.
- If someone enters the PIN incorrectly 16 times, the device will automatically wipe itself for your protection.
2026 Feature Comparison: Which Trezor Are You Starting?
| Feature | Trezor Safe 3 | Trezor Safe 5 | Trezor Safe 7 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Interface | Two-button / OLED | 1.5" Color Touchscreen | 2.5" High-res Touchscreen |
| Security Chip | EAL6+ Secure Element | EAL6+ Secure Element | Dual EAL6+ Chips |
| Build | Reinforced Plastic | Gorilla Glass 3 | Aluminum Unibody / IP67 |
| Connectivity | USB-C | USB-C / MicroSD | USB-C / Bluetooth / Qi |
Next Steps for Your Assets
Once setup is complete, you can:
- Enable Coins: Use the "Assets" tab to toggle on Solana, Ethereum, or hundreds of other tokens.
- Stake: Use the built-in staking portal to earn rewards on your ETH or SOL directly within Trezor Suite.
- Passphrase: For "expert level" security, enable a hidden wallet (the 13th or 21st word) to protect against physical threats.