Get Started with Ledger — Official Ledger.com/Start Hub

A practical, security-first guide to unboxing, setting up, and using your Ledger hardware wallet. Designed for beginners and developers who want clear steps and best practices for protecting crypto assets.

Why Ledger?

Ledger devices store private keys in a secure element — an isolated hardware chip designed to resist tampering and malware. Combined with Ledger Live (desktop & mobile app), Ledger provides a secure, user-friendly way to manage cryptocurrencies and NFTs.

What you’ll need

  • A genuine Ledger device (Nano S Plus, Nano X, or other official model) from an authorized seller.
  • A computer or mobile device and the Ledger Live app (download from official site).
  • A USB cable or Bluetooth (model dependent).
  • Secure location and physical media (paper or metal) to record your recovery phrase.

Security reminder: Never buy a used device. Always verify packaging and seals. If anything looks tampered with, contact support and do not proceed.

1. Install Ledger Live

Download Ledger Live from ledger.com/start or ledger.com. Install the app on your desktop or mobile device and follow on-screen prompts. Ledger Live is the official companion app for device setup, firmware updates, and portfolio management.

  • Desktop: macOS, Windows, Linux installers.
  • Mobile: Ledger Live for iOS and Android.

Always verify the download URL and checksum when available.

2. Unbox & verify

Check the package

  1. Ensure tamper-evident seals are intact.
  2. Confirm contents: device, USB cable, keychain, recovery sheets (if included).
  3. Look for Ledger holograms or security indicators per the model's packaging guidance.

Ledger provides official verification steps; consult support if unsure.

3. Initialize your Ledger

Connect & start

  1. Open Ledger Live and select "Set up a new device".
  2. Choose your device model and follow the prompts to connect via USB or Bluetooth.

Create a PIN

Choose a PIN on-device; it's required to unlock the wallet. Avoid easy or commonly used patterns. The PIN is stored on the device and never transmitted off-device.

Write down your recovery phrase

Ledger will display a 24-word recovery phrase (depending on device). Write it down on the supplied recovery sheet exactly as shown, in order. This phrase is the only way to restore your wallet if the device is lost or broken.

Do not take photos, copy to digital notes, or store the phrase in cloud services.

4. Firmware & app installation

Ledger Live installs official firmware and Ledger-approved cryptocurrency apps to your device. Only install firmware and apps via Ledger Live to avoid malicious software.

  • Firmware updates are signed and verified by Ledger.
  • Apps can be added/removed from the device to manage coin support and storage.

5. Receive & verify addresses

When receiving funds, always verify the receive address on the device screen — it's the authoritative address derived from your seed. Copy-paste from Ledger Live but visually confirm the address on-device before sharing it with a sender.

  1. Open the account in Ledger Live and click "Receive".
  2. Connect and confirm the address on your Ledger device.
  3. Send a test transaction first when dealing with a new counterparty or address.

6. Send transactions safely

Always review transaction details on your Ledger device: destination address, amount, and fees. Ledger devices show these details on-screen and require an explicit on-device confirmation to sign the transaction.

If the on-device and in-app details differ, do not proceed.

7. Backup strategies

  • Store your recovery phrase in multiple secure, geographically separated locations.
  • Consider metal backup plates for disaster resistance (fire, water).
  • Test recovery on a spare device or emulator to ensure accuracy, before storing large amounts.

8. Privacy & advanced features

Ledger Live supports features like coin control, exchange integrations, and staking. For privacy-conscious users, use fresh addresses and consider using privacy-preserving tools and workflows where appropriate.

Advanced users can integrate Ledger with third-party wallets via standard protocols, but only when the app is trusted and open-source when possible.

9. Troubleshooting common issues

  • Device not connecting: try a different USB cable/port and ensure Ledger Live is up to date.
  • Forgot PIN: you will need to reset the device and recover from the recovery phrase.
  • Firmware errors: follow Ledger Live prompts; contact official support if unexpected issues occur.

10. Security best practices

  • Only download Ledger Live and firmware updates from ledger.com.
  • Never reveal your recovery phrase to anyone — Ledger support will never ask for it.
  • Use a hardware PIN manager or secure vault for passphrase storage if you use one.

If you suspect compromise, move funds to a newly initialized device with a fresh recovery phrase.

Resources & official links

Final checklist

  1. Verified authentic device and official Ledger Live installation.
  2. Created and securely stored a recovery phrase (tested if possible).
  3. Set a PIN and reviewed on-device confirmations for transactions.
  4. Performed small test transactions to validate receive/send flow.
  5. Documented backup locations and emergency recovery plan.