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Get started with the Trezor Safe 3

This article walks you through the process of initializing your Trezor Safe 3 hardware wallet for use with Trezor Suite.

What you'll need


Process

Learn how to set up your brand new Trezor Safe 3 in our video tutorial. Continue reading for more information.
   
  • Trezor Suite will prompt you to connect your device. You’ll also have the option to opt in or out of anonymous data collection — this isn’t mandatory, but it helps us with bug fixes and performance improvements, so we recommend allowing it.
  • Once your device is connected, you’ll be asked to do a quick security check. Before setting up your Trezor, you should check that the packaging is intact and that the holographic seal has not been tampered with.
 
If there's any sign of tampering, do not use the device! Contact customer support via our chatbot Hal and we will do our best to arrange a replacement device.
 
  • Once you’re sure everything is present and correct, click Set up my Trezor:
 
  • Your Trezor is shipped without firmware, so the first step is to install the latest version simply by clicking the Install firmware button:
 
 
  • Once firmware installation is completed, click on Continue:
 
 
  • You will then see the 'Let's check your device' screen; this important step helps confirm that your Trezor Safe 3 is genuine and safe to use. To begin, click on Start:
 
 
  • Your Trezor will display the 'Authenticate device' screen; press 'Allow' (right button) to continue.
  • After successful device authentication, click on Continue:
 
  • Suite will then show the 'Know your Trezor' screen; this step lets you get familiar with how to use your new Trezor Safe 3:
 
 
  • Follow the tutorial on your Trezor. Once completed, click on Continue:
 
 
  • In the next step you should choose 'Create new wallet' if this is your first time setting up your Trezor:
 
 
You can only use the Recover wallet option if you already have a recovery seed, which can be used to restore access to existing accounts
 
  • After selecting Create new wallet you can choose between 'Standard seed backup' or 'Advanced Shamir backup'. Here we will show the ‘Standard seed backup’ process; the Shamir method is discussed in detail on the Trezor blog.
 
 
  • After selecting ‘Standard seed backup’ you’ll be prompted to confirm the action on your device:
 
 
  • Your Trezor Safe 3 will prompt you to agree to the Terms and Conditions before continuing to the next step. 
  • Select 'Create wallet' (right button) to continue:
 
 
  • The next step involves creating the backup, i.e., recording your recovery seed phrase on the recovery seed cards provided. To begin the process, click Create backup:
 
 
  • You’ll then be prompted to confirm that you understand the backup instructions. Once these all have a green check mark, you can hit Begin backup:
 
 
  • Your Trezor Safe 3 will ask you to confirm that you understand you shouldn't make digital copies of your recovery seed; select 'OK, I understand' both pressing both buttons on the device:
 
 
  • Your Trezor Safe 3 will now give you the option to display a list of words generated from the BIP39 word list, which serve as your recovery seed backup. It's essential to record these words in the correct sequence, and you can use one of the provided recovery seed cards to do so.
  • Press 'Show words' (right button) to proceed.
 
This information is the most important part of securing your Trezor and your crypto. Do not share this information with anyone, and keep it safely stored offline.
 
  • Once you’ve recorded all of the words in the correct order (12 words is the default recovery seed length for the Trezor Safe 3) you will then confirm that 'I wrote down all 12 words in order' by using the 'Hold to confirm' button on the device:
 
 
  • You then need to check your backup is correct by selecting the requested words from your recovery seed, as instructed by your Trezor. After completing this process, you will see the message ‘You have finished verifying your recovery seed’ and can proceed by pressing the Continue button:
 
 
  • With the wallet backup complete, you can proceed with setting up a PIN to protect your device from unauthorized physical access
  • In the ‘Wallet backup complete’ window, select Continue to PIN:
 
 
Using a strong PIN protects your Trezor from unauthorized physical access. We recommend a minimum of 4 digits, but your PIN can be a maximum of 50 digits. 
 
  • On the next screen, select Set PIN:
 
 
  • Your Trezor will prompt you with the question 'Turn on PIN protection?' To confirm, press 'Turn on' (right button).
  • After selecting 'Turn on' you must enter your new PIN directly on the Trezor Safe 3 using the buttons on the device.
  • Using the left and right buttons on the Trezor Safe 3 navigate to the numbers you want for your PIN and press both buttons to 'Select' it. The position of the cursor will change each time for security purposes.  
  • Once complete, your device will display the message ‘PIN protection turned on’; select 'Continue' to proceed:
 
 
 
You should also keep a safe offline copy of your PIN, preferably separate from your recovery seed
 
  • Trezor Suite will show the confirmatory ‘PIN set’ window:
 
 
  • Press Continue and you will be directed to the ‘Activate Coins’ window, where you’re free to choose which cryptocurrencies are shown in Trezor Suite. This setting can be changed at any time, along with the other (advanced) settings.
  • Once you’re happy with your selection of active coins, click Complete setup and you’re all done:
 
 
  • For a more personal experience, you can choose a name for your Trezor Safe 3 and even change the homescreen wallpaper. Both actions must be confirmed on the Trezor Safe 3 device. Once you are done, click on Access Suite to get started:
 
   
  • That's it! You’re in Trezor Suite and your wallet is ready to use:
 
 
 
To enhance the privacy and security of your crypto assets, we recommend using the passphrase feature. This enables you to create unique 'hidden' Passphrase wallets and control access to them, without requiring a second hardware wallet or wallet backup (recovery seed). This means your funds are safe, even if your backup is compromised. You can learn more in our Standard and Passphrase wallets article.


FAQs

What about the 'Recover wallet' option?

If you already have a recovery seed from another Trezor device that you'd like to use with your Trezor Safe 3, you can consult our article on how to recover your wallet on the Trezor Safe 3.

However, if you're transitioning from a non-Trezor hardware or software wallet, we recommend creating a new wallet with a fresh recovery seed and transferring your funds to this new seed.


What if I'm using an initialized Trezor Safe 3?

If you're using an already initialized Trezor Safe 3 and find yourself locked out due to a forgotten PIN or wish to load a different recovery seed, you'll need to wipe the device first.

If you've forgotten your PIN, you'll need to execute a factory reset by wiping the device in Bootloader mode, which erases the firmware and all private data, including the PIN and recovery seed.

If you know your PIN and choose to wipe the device through Trezor Suite, only your private data will be removed, leaving the firmware intact.
 

After connecting your device post-wipe, you'll encounter the screen below asking if you have used the device before, which will indicate that firmware is already installed on the device:
 


If you're confident that the device is safe to proceed with, click Yes, set up my Trezor to get to the 'Firmware ready' confirmation dialogue:
 

 

After completing the device authenticity checks and tutorial, you'll see the same options as in a first-time setup, i.e., 'Create new wallet' and 'Recover wallet':

 

 

These procedures will mirror the initial setup processes, as detailed above.
 

If your device is new and yet appears to be initialized, do not proceed. Instead, please contact Trezor Support via our chatbot Hal to request a replacement device.