Welcome! This page walks you through the essential steps to set up your Ledger hardware wallet, secure your recovery phrase, install apps, and use Ledger Live safely. Follow each step carefully — hardware wallets keep private keys offline and significantly reduce risk.
Secure by design
Private keys never leave your device. Confirm every transaction on the device's screen.
Recovery & backup
Write down the 24-word recovery phrase and store it in a safe place — it’s the only way to recover your funds.
1. Unbox & Inspect
When you receive your Ledger device, ensure packaging is intact and tamper-evident labels are unbroken. Only purchase Ledger devices from official channels to avoid counterfeit products.
2. Install Ledger Live
Download and install the Ledger Live app on your computer or phone. Ledger Live is an interface to manage apps and view balances — the device signs transactions offline.
3. Initialize & Choose PIN
Turn on the device and follow on-screen instructions to create a PIN. This PIN protects access to the device and must be entered to confirm operations.
4. Write Down Your Recovery Phrase
The device will display a 24-word recovery phrase. Write it down in order — do not photograph, email, or store it digitally. This phrase is the master key to your funds.
5. Install Apps
Use Ledger Live to install blockchain-specific apps (Bitcoin, Ethereum, etc.) on your device. Each currency uses its app to interact with your hardware wallet.
6. Receive & Verify
To receive funds, generate an address in Ledger Live and verify the address on your device screen before sharing. Always confirm on the hardware device to prevent malware tampering.
Why a hardware wallet?
Hardware wallets isolate private keys from the internet. They sign transactions locally and expose only signed transactions to your computer or phone.
Choosing a PIN
Pick a PIN you can remember but is not easily guessed. Avoid simple sequences or personal dates. If your device is lost or stolen, the PIN protects immediate access.
Backup best practices
Store the 24-word phrase in multiple physical locations if needed (e.g., a safe). Consider metal seed storage for fire and water resistance.
Common mistakes
Never enter your recovery phrase into a device or website. Beware of phishing sites and unsolicited support messages asking for seed words.
Using Ledger with apps
Ledger integrates with DeFi wallets and services through secure connection flows; always confirm transactions on the device screen before approving.
Support & resources
Ledger offers documentation, setup guides, and official support. If in doubt, prefer official channels and community resources for general questions.
Detailed guide — setup, safety, and next steps
Setting up a Ledger device properly is the single most important step to securing your cryptocurrency. This guide covers practical steps and clear recommendations so that you can confidently protect your assets. Below you’ll find exactly what to do from first power-on to regular maintenance and advanced tips for long-term security.
Before you begin
Make sure you are in a private location and your computer or phone is free from suspicious software before you connect a hardware wallet. Use official Ledger resources to download companion software and double-check that you’ve purchased your device through trusted channels. If anything about the device packaging looks tampered with, contact support immediately.
Initial setup steps
Power on the device and follow the prompts. Choose a PIN — this will be asked each time you connect the device. The device will show you a 24-word recovery phrase. Write the words down in the order presented, on the physical recovery sheet that comes with the package. Confirm the words on the device when prompted — this verifies you wrote them correctly.
What the recovery phrase is (and what it is not)
The 24-word phrase is a human-readable representation of your private keys. Anyone with these words can restore your wallet and access your funds. This phrase should never be typed into a website, sent over chat, or stored in cloud storage. Treat it like cash or the keys to a safe deposit box.
Software: Ledger Live and apps
Ledger Live is the official companion app for managing accounts and installing apps on your Ledger device. Install only official versions from trusted sources. Use Ledger Live to add accounts and view balances — for particular protocols or DeFi interactions you might connect Ledger to other trusted wallets that support hardware signing. When connecting to third-party dApps, check the transaction details on your device screen and verify every field before approving.
Receiving and sending crypto
To receive crypto, generate a receiving address in Ledger Live and confirm that the address shown by the software matches the address shown on your device. When sending crypto, a transaction preview appears on the device screen; compare amounts, fee, and destination. If anything looks off, cancel and investigate. Never use addresses pasted from unknown websites.
Security best practices
1) Keep your recovery phrase offline. 2) Use a strong PIN and change it if you suspect it has been observed. 3) Be wary of phishing: only use official websites and never trust unsolicited support messages. 4) Consider a secondary physical backup (e.g., metal seed storage) for disaster resilience. 5) For very large holdings, consider multisig setups or geographically distributed backups with trusted co-signers.
Maintenance & firmware updates
Ledger periodically issues firmware updates that may include security improvements or new features. Update your device only through official flows, and always verify update prompts appear on the device screen. Back up your recovery phrase before any major operation where prompts instruct you to do so.
Troubleshooting common issues
If Ledger Live cannot detect your device, try a different USB cable or port and ensure your OS recognizes the device. If your device is frozen, follow official recovery steps. If you lose your device, your recovery phrase allows full recovery on a new Ledger or compatible wallet — that is why safe storage for the phrase is critical.
Advanced topics
Advanced users may explore multisignature wallets, hardware wallets in combination with offline transaction creation (air-gapped setups), or third-party integrations for DeFi and NFTs. These use-cases come with extra complexity; ensure you fully understand the signing flow and always verify transactions on-device.
Final checklist
Purchase device from official channels
Create a strong PIN
Write and verify your 24-word recovery phrase offline
Install Ledger Live from an official source
Confirm addresses and transaction details on the device screen
Never share your recovery phrase with anyone
Following these steps will dramatically increase the security of your crypto holdings. If you need further help, consult the official documentation and support. Keep learning — security is an ongoing practice.