How to Recover a Trezor Wallet with a Seed Phrase
Recovery means entering the seed phrase you wrote down back into a Trezor, so you can reach your existing wallet and the assets in it again. It works on every model and is done through Trezor Suite. The steps differ by model, so choose the tab that matches your device below.
Wallet backup and recovery seed are the same thing. Trezor's screens switch between the two terms because the name changed along the way. Both mean the words you wrote down when you first set up the device. This guide uses one term, Seed Phrase, throughout.
The one golden rule of recovery. Enter your seed phrase only when the Trezor device itself tells you to, and trust only what appears on the device screen. Fake websites and apps that look exactly like Trezor Suite really exist, and the only thing they want is for you to type in your seed phrase. The moment you do, your assets can be moved out. SIAMBC never knows your seed phrase and cannot recover it for you. Nobody can.
When do you need to recover?
There are three common cases: your old device was lost, broken or stolen and you bought a new one, you forgot your PIN and cannot get into the device, or you want to move your existing wallet to a different model. All three use the same method: enter your seed phrase into a device that is still empty.
A seed phrase is not tied to one brand or model. If it follows the BIP39 or SLIP39 standard, you can recover it onto any Trezor model, including words created on another brand of hardware wallet.
A device that has been used must be wiped first
You can only recover onto a device that has no wallet on it yet. A new device straight out of the box can start right away, but if the device has been set up before, you need to wipe it first. There are two ways to do this, depending on your situation.
If you still remember the PIN, use Wipe device in Trezor Suite, which deletes all your personal data but keeps the firmware. If you have forgotten the PIN and cannot get in, you need to do a Factory reset in bootloader mode, which deletes both the firmware and your personal data and returns the device to its factory state.
Wiping cannot be undone. Both methods permanently delete the wallet on the device, and the only way to get it back is to recover it with your seed phrase. Always make sure you have your seed phrase in hand and can read every word before you wipe.
A new, unused device that already has firmware installed. During setup, Trezor Suite asks whether you have used this device before, because it has detected firmware on it. If you have never used this device, do not continue. Unplug it and contact SIAMBC for a replacement, because a new device must leave the factory without firmware.
Recovery by model
Every model starts the same way: plug in the device and open Trezor Suite. What differs is where and how you enter the words. Choose the tab that matches your device.
How to recover a wallet on Trezor Safe 7
On the Safe 7 you enter every word on the device's touchscreen, with nothing typed on the computer. It supports both the BIP39 standard, which uses 12, 18 or 24 words, and SLIP39, which uses 20 or 33 words. Counting the words you wrote down tells you which standard you have.
1. Choose Recover a wallet
Connect the device to your computer and open Trezor Suite. Follow the first setup steps until you reach the screen that asks you to choose, then click Recover a wallet
2. Click Start recovery
The next screen explains that the whole recovery happens on the device's touchscreen. Click Start recovery and turn to the device screen.
3. Finish on the device
On the device, hold to accept the terms, choose the number of words, then enter the words one at a time on the T9 keyboard, which groups letters together. Tap a group once per letter and the device suggests the word for you. When every word is entered, tap Continue, then go on to set your PIN.
If you use Multi-share Backup, the device keeps asking for the next set of words until it has the number you chose when you created the backup. You can also enter the sets over several sessions: start recovery, unplug to fetch a set stored somewhere else, then come back and continue, because the device remembers your progress. Enter the last set while connected to a computer with Trezor Suite open, and set your PIN right after recovery finishes.
How to recover a wallet on Trezor Safe 5
On the Safe 5 you also enter every word on the touchscreen. This model's default is 20 words, but you can choose 12, 18, 24 or 33 to match what you actually wrote down.
1. Answer whether you have used this device before
If the device was wiped before and still has firmware, Trezor Suite asks this question. If it really is a device you have used yourself, click Yes, set up my Trezor. If it is a new device you have never touched, stop and read the warning above again.
2. Choose Recover wallet
The next screen asks you to choose between creating a new wallet and recovering one. Click Recover wallet
3. Click Start recovery
The screen explains that the remaining steps happen on the device's touchscreen. Click Start recovery
4. Accept the terms on the device
The device screen shows the heading Recover wallet along with the terms of use. Tap where it says Tap to continue to move on.
5. Choose the number of words
The screen shows Select the number of words in your backup with a choice of 12, 18, 20, 24 and 33. Choose the number that matches the words you actually wrote down. The wrong choice means recovery will fail, so count the words on your card before you tap.
6. Read the instructions, then start entering
The Instructions screen reminds you to enter the words in the order you wrote them. Tap to continue.
7. Enter the words on the T9 keyboard
This keyboard groups letters together. Tap the group containing each letter once per letter, with no need to tap repeatedly. The top of the screen shows which word you are entering out of how many, for example Word 1 of 20
8. Confirm the word the device suggests
After a few letters, the device suggests a word at the top. In the picture it suggests unhappy. If it matches the word you wrote down, tap the green check mark to confirm, and repeat until every word is entered.
9. Recovery complete
Once every word is entered correctly, the screen shows Success and Wallet recovery completed. Tap to continue, then set your PIN.
How to recover a wallet on Trezor Safe 3
The Safe 3 has no touchscreen and uses two buttons on the device instead, but you still enter the words on the device itself. This model also accepts a 24-word seed phrase from a Model One if you are moving a wallet over from an older device.
1. Answer whether you have used this device before
If the device already has firmware, Trezor Suite asks first. If it is a device you have used yourself, click Yes, set up my Trezor. If it is a new device you have never used, stop and contact SIAMBC.
2. Choose Recover wallet
Click Recover wallet, then click Start recovery, then continue on the device.
3. Accept the terms on the device
The device's black-and-white screen shows two pages of terms. Read them, then press the right button under RECOVER WALLET to start.
4. Choose the number of words
Use the left and right buttons to scroll to the number of words you wrote down, then press CONTINUE
5. Read how to enter the words first
Over three pages under the heading Enter your backup, the device explains that you only pick the first 2 to 3 letters of each word, and that the cursor position shifts between entries for security. When you have read it, press CONTINUE. The shifting cursor can be confusing at first, but it is intentional, not a fault.
6. Recovery complete
Once every word is entered correctly, the device screen shows SUCCESS, then press CONTINUE
On the computer, Trezor Suite shows that recovery is complete. Click Continue and go on to set your PIN.
How to recover a wallet on Trezor Model T
This model is discontinued but still works. Trezor no longer sells the Model T, but maintains it until at least 2031 and releases security patches until at least 2036. Recovery works as normal.
On the Model T you enter every word on the touchscreen. This model's default is 12 words.
1. Answer whether you have used this device before
Open Trezor Suite and plug in the device. The welcome screen asks this question if it finds firmware on the device. Click Yes, set up my Trezor if it is a device you have used yourself.
2. Confirm the firmware
The next screen shows Firmware ready with the installed version. Click Continue
3. Choose Recover wallet
The screen asks you to choose between creating a new wallet and recovering one. Click Recover wallet
4. Click Start recovery
The next screen explains that the remaining steps happen on the device's touchscreen. Click Start recovery
5. Accept the terms on the device
The device screen shows the terms. Tap the green RECOVER WALLET button to start.
6. Choose the number of words
The screen shows Select the number of words in your backup with a choice of 12, 18, 20, 24 and 33. Tap the number that matches what you actually wrote down.
7. Enter the words on the device keyboard
The Model T keyboard groups letters like the keys on an old phone, so you tap repeatedly to cycle to the letter you want. For example, to type B, tap the abc group twice, and to type E, tap the def group twice. After the first 2 to 4 letters, the device suggests the word in the top right corner. Tap it to confirm.
8. Recovery complete
Once every word is entered, Trezor Suite shows Recovery complete. Click Continue to start using your wallet.
How to recover a wallet on Trezor Model One
This model is discontinued but still works. Trezor no longer sells the Model One, but maintains it until at least 2031 and releases security patches until at least 2036.
The only model where you type the words on a computer. The Model One has no touchscreen and a very small display, so the standard method has you type the words into the Trezor Suite window, with the device telling you which word number to type. Every other model takes the words on the device itself. If you are not comfortable typing on a computer, there is an Advanced recovery option that spells the words out on the device screen instead. It is slower, but nothing is typed on the computer at all.
1. Answer whether you have used this device before
Open Trezor Suite and plug in the device. If it finds firmware already installed, it asks this question first. Click Yes, set up my Trezor if it is a device you have used yourself.
2. Confirm the firmware
The next screen shows Firmware ready with the installed version. Click Continue
3. Choose Recover wallet
Click Recover wallet on the screen that asks you to choose between creating a new wallet and recovering one.
4. Choose the number of words
The Model One offers three options: 12, 18 and 24 words. This model's default is 24 words. Choose the one that matches what you actually wrote down.
5. Choose a recovery method
Standard recovery means typing the words one by one on the computer, which is faster, while Advanced recovery means spelling out the words on the device screen, which is slower but involves no typing on the computer. The screen itself states that both methods are secure. This guide follows the Standard method.
6. Confirm on the device
Trezor Suite shows a Confirm on Trezor label while it waits for you to confirm on the device. The device screen asks Do you really want to recover the device? Press the confirm button on the device.
7. Type the words the device screen asks for
The box on the computer says Check your Trezor screen, while the device screen tells you which word to type, for example Please enter the 15th word on your computer, and you type that word into the box. The device asks for the words in a shuffled order, not from 1 to 24.
The device may ask for words that are not in your seed phrase. The screen itself says you may be asked to type words that are not part of your seed phrase. These are decoy words added to stop anyone watching your computer screen. It is not a mistake, so keep typing whatever the device screen asks for.
8. Recovery complete
Once every word is typed correctly, Trezor Suite shows Recovery complete. Click Continue to finish the remaining steps.
What to do after recovery
- Set a new PIN as soon as recovery finishes. Never leave the device without a PIN.
- Turn on the networks you need in Trezor Suite and wait for your balances to load fully.
- Compare the balances with what you had before. If they do not match, check that you recovered the right set of words and the right number of words before concluding that assets are missing.
- Put your seed phrase back in its safe place, separate from the device, and never let anyone photograph it.
Frequently asked questions
My balance is zero after recovery. Where did my assets go?
In most cases they are not gone. Check three things first: whether you recovered the right set of words, whether you chose the right number of words, and whether you have turned on the networks where you held assets. If you set a passphrase before, you must enter the same passphrase too, or you will see a different, empty wallet.
Can I recover a seed phrase from another brand onto a Trezor?
Yes, if it follows the BIP39 standard, which most hardware wallets use. The number of words must match what you wrote down, and every word must be on the standard word list. If you type a word and the device does not suggest it, the word is misspelled or not part of the standard.
The number of words I wrote down does not match the options on the device
Count the words on your card again first. The lengths in use are 12, 18, 20, 24 and 33 words. 20 or 33 words means the SLIP39 standard, which newer Trezor models support, while 12, 18 and 24 words are BIP39.
If I enter a wrong word partway through, do I have to start again?
While entering, if you pick a wrong word you can delete it and choose again on that screen. But if you finish and the device says recovery failed, you need to start the recovery process again from the beginning. That does no harm to your assets, because they live on the network, not on the device.
Can I recover onto more than one device?
Yes. The same seed phrase can be recovered onto as many devices as you like, and every one of them will see the same wallet. That is exactly why you must keep your seed phrase safe: anyone who gets it can do the same.
I forgot my PIN, but I still have my seed phrase
You can still recover. Do a Factory reset in bootloader mode to wipe the device first, then recover with your seed phrase following this guide. The old PIN is erased with the wipe, and you can set a new one after recovery.
Will SIAMBC and Trezor ask for my seed phrase?
Neither will ask, under any circumstances, and nobody has any reason to know your seed phrase. Anyone who asks is a scammer, no exceptions, whether they claim to be SIAMBC staff, use Trezor's name, or say it is for a warranty claim, identity check, firmware update or account recovery.
Summary
Three things not to miss: enter your seed phrase only when the device tells you to, choose the number of words that matches what you actually wrote down, and set a new PIN right after recovery. On a Model One, remember that the device may ask for words that are not in your seed phrase, and that is normal.
If recovery fails or you are unsure about anything, message SIAMBC. We handle usage questions, warranty and exchanges in Thailand, but our team will never ask to see your seed phrase, under any circumstances.
Have not installed Trezor Suite yet? Start with How to install Trezor Suite. For a new device you have not checked yet, see How to check that your Trezor is genuine, or browse every Trezor model
Last checked: 29 August 2026. On-screen wording may change with new firmware and Trezor Suite versions.
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