Trezor.io/Start® | Trezor Suite App

Understanding the Non-Custodial 'Login'

For Trezor users, the term **"Login"** does not imply entering a central server with a traditional username and password. Instead, it refers to the process of **gaining access to the cryptographic keys** that control your assets on the blockchain. Your cryptocurrency is never stored on the Trezor device or in the **Trezor Suite** application; they are recorded publicly on decentralized ledgers. The Trezor hardware wallet acts as the secure vault for your **Recovery Seed**, the master key that proves your ownership.

The Trezor "Login" sequence is a secure, multi-step authentication process: **1) Physical connection** of the device, **2) PIN entry** on the device's screen (or computer, depending on the model), and **3) Synchronization** with the Trezor Suite software. This strict isolation of the private keys from any internet-connected environment provides **cold storage security**. By demanding physical control (the device) and knowledge (the PIN), Trezor ensures that your access to your funds is uncompromised by software hacks, keyloggers, or phishing attempts. This non-custodial approach is the foundation of digital sovereignty.

Phase 1: Device Initialization and PIN Setup

Step 1: Secure Installation of Trezor Suite

The first step is to download the **Trezor Suite** application from the official Trezor website (Trezor.io). It is critically important to verify that the software source is genuine. Trezor Suite is the official desktop or web interface that communicates with your device. Install it and launch the application. The Suite will prompt you to connect your new Trezor Model T or Trezor One device via the supplied USB cable. Note that the Suite will automatically guide you through firmware installation, which must be performed for new devices. **Always ensure you are using the official Trezor Suite application to prevent malicious intervention.**

Step 2: Defining Your Personal Identification Number (PIN)

The PIN is the local password for your physical device and must be set up during the initialization process. For the Trezor One, the PIN layout is randomized on the computer screen, and you enter the corresponding positions using the device's buttons. For the Trezor Model T, the PIN is entered directly on the device's touchscreen. This randomized or device-only input method shields your PIN from computer-based logging. The PIN protects against unauthorized access if the device is lost or stolen. Choose a PIN of at least 8 digits. If the wrong PIN is entered multiple times (16 attempts with exponential waiting periods), the device will erase itself (wipe), requiring restoration using the Recovery Seed.

After setting the PIN, the Trezor Suite will prompt you to name your device. This optional step helps you identify which Trezor you are working with if you own multiple devices. The PIN must be entered every time you connect your Trezor to a computer to "login" and unlock its capabilities.

Phase 2: Securing Your Recovery Seed (The Master Key)

The Recovery Seed (12, 18, or 24 words) is the ultimate backup for your entire wallet. It is derived from the BIP39 standard and is the only way to recover your funds if your Trezor is lost, damaged, or wiped.

Offline Recording: The words will be displayed sequentially on your Trezor screen. You must write them down meticulously on the provided Recovery Seed card. **Never use a digital format** (photo, word processor, email, or digital vault).
Verification: Immediately after recording, the Trezor device will prompt you to confirm random words. For the Trezor Model T, you type the words directly onto the device screen; for the Trezor One, you enter them via the connected computer but guided by the randomized layout shown on the Trezor display.
Storage: Store the physical card in at least two secure, private, and fireproof locations, physically disconnected from your primary residence and computer. The seed's security is paramount.

WARNING: Your Recovery Seed should never be typed into a computer, smartphone, or any interface connected to the internet. If you ever see a prompt in Trezor Suite or any website asking for your Recovery Seed, it is a phishing attempt. **Trezor Suite only asks for the seed during the initial setup or a verified recovery process, and even then, the input method is highly protected.**

Phase 3: The Passphrase and Hidden Wallets

The Trezor Passphrase (BIP39 Optional Feature)

A key differentiating security feature of Trezor is the optional **Passphrase** (sometimes called the 25th word). This feature adds an extra, highly robust security layer. The passphrase is a custom word or phrase (up to 50 characters) chosen by you. When combined with your 12/24-word Recovery Seed, it generates a mathematically separate and distinct wallet—a **Hidden Wallet**.

The Passphrase is never stored on the Trezor device, meaning if an attacker gains physical access to your device and your Recovery Seed, they still cannot access your funds without the passphrase. This acts as plausible deniability; you can keep a small "decoy" amount in the standard (empty passphrase) wallet to satisfy an attacker, while your main funds remain securely hidden.

**Daily Passphrase Entry:** When you "login" via Trezor Suite, after entering your PIN, you will be prompted to enter the Passphrase (or leave it blank to access the standard wallet). You must enter this Passphrase directly on the Trezor device itself. **Accuracy is vital:** any change to the passphrase, even a single space or capitalization error, creates an entirely new, empty wallet address. Trezor Suite will remember the passphrase for the current session to simplify transactions, but it is not stored permanently. This feature is highly recommended for experienced users or those holding significant value.

Transaction Confirmation and Security

During daily use, Trezor Suite handles the portfolio viewing and transaction preparation. However, to authorize any transaction (Send, Swap, Staking), the final step always requires the connected Trezor device. The Suite sends the unsigned transaction data to the Trezor. You must then manually review the **recipient address, the amount, and the network fee** on the Trezor screen. This final physical review and confirmation defeats malware that might attempt to substitute the recipient address or increase the transaction amount. Only after you physically press the confirm button on your Trezor device is the transaction signed and broadcast to the network. This unforgeable hardware confirmation is the essential final step of every secure Trezor "Login" session.