Welcome — this page guides you through the essential steps to start using your Ledger device confidently. It focuses on security best practices, the setup flow, practical tips for daily use, and recovery preparedness. Read through once before you begin the physical setup so everything goes smoothly.
Why a hardware wallet matters
Hardware wallets like Ledger keep your private keys offline inside a secure chip. This means even if your computer or phone is compromised, the secret that controls your funds stays isolated. Think of the device as a safe: the device signs transactions on the safe’s secure hardware — nothing sensitive leaves it unencrypted. That separation drastically reduces attack surface compared to leaving keys on a connected device.
Before you begin — checklist
- Find a clean, private space (no cameras or shared screens).
- Have a pen and the recovery card or notebook ready. Never store the recovery phrase as a plain file or photo.
- Ensure your Ledger device is sealed and genuine. Only use official Ledger apps from ledger.com or the Ledger Live app stores.
- Allow 20–30 minutes for the first setup and read each prompt on the device screen carefully.
Step-by-step setup
- Unbox & power: Connect the device using the supplied cable. Follow the device prompts to begin.
- Create a new wallet: When asked, select “Set up as new device.” The device will generate a recovery phrase — write every word in order, on paper, and double-check spelling.
- Confirm your recovery phrase: The device will request a random subset of words to validate you wrote them down correctly. This step prevents transcription mistakes.
- Set a PIN: Choose a PIN you can remember but others can’t guess. Do not store the PIN with the recovery phrase.
- Install Ledger Live: Use the official ledger.com/live link, pair your device, and install the apps for the assets you plan to manage (Bitcoin, Ethereum, etc.).
- Receive a test amount: Send a small amount first to verify address correctness and end-to-end flow. Check that the receiving address shown in Ledger Live exactly matches the device's screen.
Essential security principles
Keep the recovery phrase offline and private. No legitimate service, support agent, or website should ever ask for your 24-word phrase. If you suspect phrase exposure, transfer funds to a new wallet immediately and generate a fresh recovery phrase on a new device.
Daily use tips
- Only connect the Ledger device when you need to sign transactions.
- Maintain the device firmware up to date — firmware updates often include security improvements.
- Use strong, unique passwords for exchange accounts and enable two-factor authentication where available.
Troubleshooting & recovery
If your device is lost or damaged but you have your recovery phrase, you can recover your wallet on another Ledger device or supported compatible wallet that accepts Ledger-compatible seed phrases. If the phrase is lost and the device is inaccessible, funds may be irrecoverable — that’s why safe storage of the recovery phrase is critical.
Advanced considerations
For larger holdings, consider splitting assets across multiple recovery phrases or using a multisig arrangement for added protection. Evaluate secure storage options for the recovery card — bank safety deposit boxes, fireproof safes, or geographically distributed backups. Avoid online backups of your seed phrase.
Final checklist before you go
- Confirm you have the written recovery phrase and it's legible.
- Confirm you set a PIN and know it without writing it down near the phrase.
- Install only the official Ledger Live app and use direct links from ledger.com.
- Send a small test transaction to verify everything is correct.