The first step in securing your digital wealth and claiming true **self-custody** is to visit the official setup page: **Trezor.io/Start**. This page is your only verified source for downloading the necessary software and ensuring you begin the setup process safely. When you take the leap to hold your own **Crypto Assets**, you become your own bank, and the **Trezor** device is the vault.
Before you connect your **Trezor Hardware Wallet**, carefully inspect the packaging. Look for signs of tampering, tears, or pre-opened seals. **Trezor** devices are shipped with security measures specifically designed to reveal if the device has been accessed before reaching you. If anything looks suspicious, **DO NOT** connect the device; contact official support immediately. Your security starts with this physical check.
Once you are certain your device is new and untampered, connect it to your computer. The official web interface will guide you through the process, which involves installing the latest firmware (a crucial step for device functionality and security) and then setting up your personal security layers. This guided process is mandatory to protect your valuable **Crypto Assets**.
The single most important step in the entire setup process is generating and securing your **Recovery Seed**. This is a sequence of 12, 18, or 24 words (24 words are standard for most models) that serves as the universal master key to all your **Crypto Assets**—**Bitcoin**, **Ethereum**, and all others—stored on the **blockchain** addresses derived from your **Trezor Hardware Wallet**.
The **Recovery Seed** will be displayed exclusively on the small, trusted screen of your **Trezor** device. **Trezor Suite** or the web interface will never display it. This is a critical security feature. You must transcribe these words in the exact order onto the paper cards provided in your original **Trezor** packaging. **Never** type it on a keyboard, save it as a digital file, or capture it with a camera.
Your physical **Recovery Seed** backup must be treated with the highest level of security. Store the paper copies in at least two separate, secure locations, such as a fireproof safe, a safe deposit box, or a secure metal backup solution. Loss of this phrase means permanent loss of your funds if your **Trezor** is damaged or lost. Unauthorized access to this phrase means permanent loss of your funds to a thief. True **self-custody** requires vigilance.
**Trezor Suite** is the native desktop application designed to be the primary interface for your **Trezor Hardware Wallet**. It provides a comprehensive, secure environment for managing your accounts, monitoring your portfolio, and engaging with the decentralized financial world. While the **Trezor** device handles the private keys and transaction signing, **Trezor Suite** provides the user-friendly interface for everything else.
**Trezor Suite** facilitates all essential interactions needed to manage your **Crypto Assets** safely. This includes viewing your account balances, generating receiving addresses, sending transactions, and configuring advanced security settings like the passphrase (25th word).
Always ensure you are running the latest version of **Trezor Suite**. The software regularly updates to provide new features and maintain compatibility with evolving **blockchain** protocols. Use the official download links from **Trezor.io/Start** or the main Trezor website to guarantee you are using genuine software and avoiding malicious versions intended to compromise your security when **Starting Up Your Device**.