Unfortunately Trezor the company behind the Trezor T and Trezor Safe 5 has released its Trezor Suite app under a non-free license. The included directions instruct the user to setup and initialize the device using this software. The problem with this is it is non-free and puts the user at risk.
The good news is that the firmware for these devices are released under a set of free software licenses and the hardware can be initialized using free software. The trick is understanding how to go about using the free software to do so, but that's where we come in. We have written up directions on using these devices with with various wallets directly on free and more free software oriented distributions as well as some not-as-free distributions.
On Debian 13 there are two free software friendly wallets we can recommend using with the Trezor Safe 5. One is the Electrum Wallet for Bitcoin transactions and the other is the Feather Wallet for Monero transactions.
Initializing a Trezor Safe 5 on initial purchase using Debian 13
0. Remove the protective screen cover and peel off the tamper evident security seal from the Trezor Safe 5:
1. Connect the included USB-C cable to the Trezor Safe 5 and the other end to a computer with a USB-C port.
2. Identify the latest Trezor Safe 5 firmware by visiting the official github page:
https://github.com/trezor/data/tree/master/firmware/t3t1
Note: These are the files listed in the following format: trezor-t3t1-*.*.*.bin where the highest number is the latest release, and you can also utilize the date as a basis for figuring out what the most recent version is.
3. Open a terminal and download the latest Safe 5 firmware by running the following commands, but replace 2.12.1 with the latest version of the firmware identified in the step above:
wget https://github.com/trezor/data/raw/refs/heads/master/firmware/t3t1/trezo...
Note: You can type in wget and then copy the link by right clicking the link and selecting Copy Link.
4. Install the Trezor initialization software by running the following command:
sudo apt install wget trezor
5. Run the following command and confirm that the computer detects the device:
trezorctl list
You should get the following indicating it is in bootloader mode and ready to flash:
webusb:001:3 - Trezor Safe 5 bootloader
6. Flash the firmware, but replace 2.12.1 with the version of the firmware identified in prior commands:
sudo trezorctl firmware-update -f ./trezor-t3t1-2.12.1.bin
7. Now that the firmware is flashed it's time to initialize the device by running the following command:
trezorctl device setup --strength 256 --passphrase-protection --pin-protection --label "My Trezor Safe" --backup-type single
8. Tap the screen on the Trezor Safe 5 to agree to the TOS (terms of service).
9. On the Trezor Safe 5 screen follow the instruction and press and hold to confirm initialization.
10. On the Trezor Safe 5 screen enter a pin to protect the Trezor Safe 5 against unauthorized use (and make a note of it so you don't forget it).
11. On the Trezor Safe 5 screen you should see a message indicating your wallet has been created and to tap the screen to continue. Do so.
12. On the Trezor Safe 5 screen you'll next see a create wallet backup message. Tap to continue with the backup.
Note: You'll also see another 'create wallet backup' screen indicating that the 'wallet backup contains 33 words in a specific order'. Tap the screen to continue.
13. On the Trezor Safe 5 screen you'll see 'never put your backup anywhere digital'. Tap to continue
14. On the Trezor Safe 5 screen when you see the wallet backup instructions follow the directions as described and write your backup words down. Then tap the screen to continue after each word. You should see a 'I wrote down all 33 words in order.' when the process is complete and a hold to confirm, and you should put your finger on the screen, and hold it there until the 'check wallet backup' message appears.
15. When you see the wallet backup message tap the Trezor Safe 5 screen to continue.
16. Select the word from the list you wrote down until you've gone through each of the ones prompted for and see the success screen. Then tap to continue.
At this point you've successfully flashed and initialized your Trezor Safe 5 using free software.
The directions below are how to use the Electrum Bitcoin Wallet on Debian 13 with the Trezor Safe 5
1. Install the Electrum wallet through Synaptic Package Manager, apt, aptitude, or the Software Manager,
2. Start Electrum.
3. Click the Next button to begin the setup.
4. Choose a location to store your wallets info. Click Next.
5. Select to use a Standard Wallet and click the Next button.
6. Connect your Trezor Safe 5 to the computer via the included USB cable.
7. When prompted to create a new seed select Use a hardware device and click the Next button.
8. Select your Trezor device and click the Next button.
9. On the Trezor device's screen you will be prompted to enter a pin, enter the pin you entered when initializing the device originally and click the green checkbox.
(Or otherwise unlock it)
10. Back on the computer for the Script type and Derivation path click the Next button.
11. Click Enter Passphrase on Device button.
12. Go to your Trazor Safe 5 screen and enter a passphrase to protect the wallet. Click the green check mark when done.
Note: It should ideally be long and complex.
13. You will be prompted to encrypt the wallet file, go ahead, and then click the Finish button to continue.
To receive crypto into the Electrum wallet
Click on the Receive tab
Click the Create Request button
Click the QR code button to switch between text and a QR code
Hold your other crypto wallet up to the screen and scan the QR code, scan, and send.
To send crypto from the Electrum wallet
Click on the Send tab
Click the tool icon in the top right corner to select Read QR code wtih camera
You can now enter and amount if not automatically detected by scanning and click the Send button
Factory reset the Trezor Safe 5
1. Disconnect the Trezor Safe 5 from your computer.
2. Swipe Up: Place your finger at the bottom of the touchscreen and swipe upwards to the top.
3. Connect: While holding the swipe (or immediately after swiping up), connect the USB cable to your computer.
4. Bootloader Menu: The device will display a Bootloader screen. Tap the menu icon (or the screen if prompted) to access the bootloader options.
5. Select Factory Reset: Choose Factory Reset from the list.
6. Confirm: Press RESET and follow the on-screen instructions to wipe the device.