Desktop companion and PWA in 2025 — installation, verification, and secure first-run
Overview
This guide provides step-by-step instructions for downloading, verifying and installing Trézor Suite in 2025, whether you prefer the desktop application or the Progressive Web App (PWA). It covers best practices for verifying installers, initial device pairing, firmware checks, privacy defaults, and common troubleshooting steps. Treat this as a template — replace any demo links with official vendor URLs before publishing.
Why use Trézor Suite?
Unified wallet manager for hardware devices and accounts, with portfolio tracking and transaction history.
Offline signing workflow: transactions are approved on the device and never expose private keys to the host.
Local-first storage with optional encrypted cloud preferences (opt-in only).
Cross-platform
Windows, macOS, Linux and PWA for web use.
Hardware-backed
Private keys remain on device; Suite coordinates signing requests.
Open-source
Audit-friendly architecture; check vendor repo for source and release notes.
Before you begin: ensure you have your hardware device, a secure place to store a recovery seed, and a trusted internet connection (avoid public Wi‑Fi when downloading cryptographic software).
Step 1 — Verify the download (always)
Verifying the installer ensures you are running genuine software. In 2025, the standard practice remains: confirm SHA256 checksums and, if provided, verify GPG signatures. Attackers sometimes replace installers on mirrors — verification prevents tampering.
How to verify
Obtain the official checksum and signature from the vendor's releases page or a trusted package repository.
On macOS/Linux: shasum -a 256 path/to/installer or sha256sum, then compare.
To verify an attached signature: import the vendor's public key and use gpg --verify.
On Windows: use PowerShell Get-FileHash -Algorithm SHA256 path\to\file.
Tip: If you cannot verify signatures or the checksum mismatch, delete the file and re-download only from the official releases page. Contact vendor support for assistance.
Step 2 — Install & first-run
Follow platform-specific steps below. These instructions prioritize security and user confirmation of critical steps like firmware updates and seed generation.
Windows
Run the signed .exe and accept any administrative prompts.
Allow the installer to start the local Suite service and add firewall exceptions if prompted.
Open Suite and select Connect device when ready.
macOS
Open the .dmg and drag Suite to Applications.
On first launch, macOS may request permission to access USB devices — approve the prompt.
Launch Suite from Applications and connect your device when instructed.
Linux
Make the AppImage executable (chmod +x) and run it, or install the distribution package.
For some distros, install udev rules or add the user to appropriate groups to access USB devices without root.
Start Suite, then connect your device to pair.
Progressive Web App (PWA)
Open the official Suite web app URL in a compatible browser and choose Install to add it to your system. PWA installs are convenient but still require Bridge/WebHID support and proper origin verification.
Step 3 — First-run & device pairing
When connecting your hardware device for the first time, Suite should guide you through device initialization, PIN setup and recovery seed generation. Always create a fresh seed on the device itself — never accept a seed supplied by a third party.
Follow Suite's prompts to create a new wallet or recover an existing one. If recovering, only enter the seed on the device when prompted.
Set a PIN to protect device access. Avoid simple or reused PINs.
Optionally enable a passphrase for additional account-level separation; understand that passphrases are not recoverable without the exact phrase.
Security & privacy (2025 best practices)
Security is layered — the Suite, the device firmware, the host OS, and user practices all matter. In 2025, prioritize the following:
Keep firmware up-to-date
Firmware updates include important security fixes and should be applied after verifying release notes. During firmware updates, follow on-device instructions carefully; never interrupt power during a firmware flash unless instructed.
Minimize attack surface
Install Suite only on trusted personal machines; avoid using it on public or shared computers.
Use a hardware firewall and updated OS to reduce exposure to remote attackers.
Disable unnecessary browser extensions when accessing wallet functionality to avoid DOM or permission-based attacks.
Verify transaction details on-device
Always review addresses, amounts, and fee details on the device screen before approving. The host UI can be compromised; the device screen is the final arbiter.
Troubleshooting
Device not detected
Try another USB cable/port, avoid hubs, ensure Suite service/bridge is running, and check OS permissions (e.g., udev rules on Linux or Privacy settings on macOS).
Installer checksum mismatch
Delete the file, re-download from the official releases page, and verify again. If mismatch persists, contact vendor support and do not run the binary.
Firmware update failed
Follow the vendor's recovery guide — many vendors provide a recovery mode. Preserve logs and reach out to support rather than using third-party 'fix' tools.
Advanced: backups & enterprise considerations
For individuals, the recovery seed remains the canonical backup. For enterprise deployments, consider hardware device lifecycle policies, multi-user admin controls, and audited backup methods such as Shamir-backed secrets if supported. Document procedures and test recovery regularly.
Legal & trademark notice
Trézor and other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. This guide is a 2025 demo template and not an official vendor page. If you plan to publish a page publicly using vendor names or marks, include accurate trademark attributions and consult legal counsel for compliance.