Trézor Hardware Wallet — offline key custody, practical guide

Seed, backups & secure storage

The recovery seed is the single most important artifact for long-term access. Trezor generates the seed inside the device; write the words exactly in the order shown. Use the included recovery card or a metal backup plate to withstand fire/water damage. Store multiple copies in geographically separated secure locations (bank safe, trusted vault, or safe deposit box). Consider threat modeling: if you fear coercion, use passphrases to create hidden wallets, but remember that passphrases increase operational complexity and the risk of permanent loss if forgotten.

Firmware & device health

Firmware updates patch security issues and add features. Only apply firmware updates from the official Trezor channels (trezor.io). The update process requires physical confirmation on the device; if an update prompt appears unexpectedly, do not approve it. Maintain an inventory of device firmware versions for each device you manage — this is especially important in institutional deployments. Periodically run device health checks in Trezor Suite to ensure integrity and proper operation.

Unboxing & initial setup

When you unbox, verify tamper seals and packaging. Use a clean, offline host for initial setup when possible. During the flow you'll create a PIN and record the recovery seed. Select a PIN that is memorable but not trivial; the device will enforce retry delays to mitigate brute force attempts. Avoid photographing or storing the seed digitally. After setup, perform a small test receive transaction to confirm the address generation and signing workflow.

Advanced workflows (multisig, enterprise)

Advanced custody often uses multisignature setups to remove single-point risk. Combine multiple hardware devices (possibly from different vendors) to require multiple approvals for high-value transactions. Document signing policies and rotate keys periodically. For enterprise deployments, maintain an auditable device inventory, signed firmware hashes, and scripted installers for Trezor Suite and connectors to ensure consistent, verifiable deployments. Train delegates on recovery and incident procedures, and maintain an playbook for device loss, theft, or staff changes.

Daily operational hygiene

When transacting: always verify recipient addresses on the device screen; do not rely on host displays alone. For repeat recipients, use address books but still verify. Avoid public Wi‑Fi for high-value transactions. Use separate wallets for everyday spending (hot wallets) and long-term storage (cold wallets) — keep only necessary funds on hot devices. If using mobile flows, ensure the phone OS and apps are up to date and that Bluetooth pairings are controlled and periodically pruned.

If you lose access

Restore on a new device using the recovery seed by choosing the 'Recover wallet' flow in Trezor Suite. If you used passphrases originally, you must supply the exact passphrase to recover hidden wallets. If you suspect seed exposure, move funds to new wallets generated by a fresh device with a new seed; do this promptly and conservatively to avoid further risk.