Ledger Start — Official Getting Started Guide

Welcome! This quick, friendly guide will get your Ledger hardware wallet set up and ready to secure your crypto in minutes. Follow the steps below carefully, and take your time when writing down recovery information — that’s the key to keeping your assets safe.

What you’ll need

• Your Ledger device (Nano S Plus, Nano X, or similar)
• A computer or smartphone with internet access
• The USB cable or Bluetooth connection included with your device
• A pen and the recovery sheet that came in the box (or a secure backup method)

Step 1 — Unbox and inspect

Open the Ledger package and confirm the device and accessories match the official packaging. Only use Ledger software from official sources. If anything looks tampered with or suspicious, contact Ledger support before proceeding.

Step 2 — Connect your Ledger

Plug your Ledger into your computer or pair it with your phone via Bluetooth (if your model supports it). The device will power on and show a welcome screen with a prompt to open the Ledger Live app.

Step 3 — Install Ledger Live

Download and install Ledger Live from the official Ledger website. Ledger Live is the companion app that lets you manage accounts, install apps on your device, and send/receive crypto. Open Ledger Live and follow the on-screen prompts to begin the setup.

Step 4 — Initialize your device

1. Choose “Set up as new device” when prompted on the Ledger screen.
2. Create a PIN code directly on the device — choose something you can remember but that’s not trivially guessable.
3. Ledger will generate a recovery phrase (usually 24 words). Write these words down in order, exactly as shown, on the provided recovery sheet. Never store the recovery phrase digitally or share it with anyone.

Step 5 — Verify and finish

After recording the recovery phrase, the device will ask you to confirm specific words. This verification step ensures your backup is accurate. Once complete, Ledger Live will prompt you to install apps for the blockchains you plan to use (e.g., Bitcoin, Ethereum).

Step 6 — Add accounts

In Ledger Live, go to “Manager” to install the necessary apps on your Ledger device, then use “Add account” to create wallet accounts. Ledger Live will display your public addresses — you can receive funds to these addresses while your private keys remain safely inside the hardware device.

Security best practices

• Never share your recovery phrase or PIN. Ledger staff or anyone else will never ask for it.
• Keep your recovery sheet offline and in a physically secure place — consider a fireproof safe or a secure location with multiple backups.
• Only use Ledger Live from the official Ledger website and keep the app updated.
• Double-check addresses on the device screen before confirming any send transaction — malware on your computer can alter addresses shown in apps, but the hardware device shows the real address it will sign for.

Troubleshooting tips

If your device doesn’t power on, try a different USB cable or port. If Ledger Live can’t detect the device, ensure the correct drivers are installed (on some operating systems) and that your device screen is unlocked. For Bluetooth pairing issues, turn Bluetooth off and on, or restart both the device and your phone.

Lost or damaged device?

If your Ledger is lost or broken, you can recover your accounts using the recovery phrase on a new Ledger device or any compatible wallet that supports your recovery format. This is why safeguarding the recovery phrase is critical.

Final notes

Setting up your Ledger correctly creates a strong foundation for long-term crypto security. Take time during setup, follow the security best practices above, and you'll have a robust, resilient way to manage your digital assets.