Official Site® | Ledger.com/Start® | Getting Started

A friendly, practical walkthrough for new users — setup, backup, security and daily use.

Why this guide and what you'll learn

This presentation is designed for someone who has just unboxed a Ledger device and wants a clear, practical path from first boot to confident, secure daily use. We’ll cover the essential setup steps, the critical security principles you must adopt, how to make a reliable backup, and simple everyday best practices. The approach below is deliberately plain-language and step-driven so you can follow along while setting up — no prior technical expertise required.

Who is this for?

Beginners, hobbyists, and anyone who values custody and control over their crypto. If you’re managing tokens, NFTs, or multiple accounts, this guide will help you avoid common pitfalls and make your setup robust.

Step 1 — Prepare before you power on

Unboxing checklist

  • Confirm the device packaging is sealed and undamaged.
  • Look for official holograms, brand printing and tamper evidence. If anything looks off, contact support before proceeding.
  • Have a quiet, private area to complete setup; never set up in a public place where others can see your screen or your recovery phrase.

Why preparation matters

Security begins with attention. Taking a few extra minutes to verify your package and set a private space dramatically reduces risk of physical tampering or social engineering during setup.

Step 2 — Basic setup: power, PIN and recovery

Powering the device

Connect your Ledger using the supplied cable to a computer or phone. Modern devices will boot, display a welcome message, and prompt to create a device PIN. Always use the official cable packed with your device when possible.

Choose a strong PIN

Pick a PIN you can remember but that is not guessable by someone who knows you. Avoid birthdays or simple sequences like 1234. The device will lock after a number of failed attempts; this protects against casual tampering.

Recovery phrase — the single most important step

The device will generate a 24-word recovery phrase (sometimes 12 for older models) that represents the master key to your funds. Write these words precisely and in order on the supplied recovery sheet — or use a durable metal backup solution. Never store the phrase digitally (no photos, no text files, no cloud storage).

Best practice

Keep at least two copies of the written phrase in separate, secure locations (for example, a home safe and a bank safe deposit box). Do not tell anyone the phrase, and never enter it into any website or software that asks for it.

Step 3 — Install Ledger Live and apps

Download Ledger Live from the Official Site

Ledger Live is the official companion app for managing accounts, sending and receiving assets, and installing application packages on your device. Download Ledger Live only from the official website (one of the colorful links above).

Install required apps

Launch Ledger Live, follow the on-screen instructions to pair your device, and install app packages for the assets you plan to manage — for example, Bitcoin, Ethereum or Solana. Each asset has a small app that runs on the device; installing them enables interaction while keeping your private keys protected on the device.

Tip

Only install apps you need. The device has limited space, and removing unused apps is safe and can be done any time.

Step 4 — Daily use and transactions

Sending and receiving

Use Ledger Live to create receive addresses and share them when you want to receive funds. When sending, always confirm the transaction details on the hardware device’s screen — it displays the destination address and amount. Confirming on the device prevents a compromised computer from silently changing details.

Double-check addresses

For large transfers, always verify the receiving address by comparing it on multiple displays (computer + device screen) or by sending a small test amount first. This extra step prevents loss due to miscopied addresses or clipboard malware.

Security best practices (a short checklist)

  • Never disclose your recovery phrase to anyone — Ledger staff will never ask for it.
  • Use a hardware wallet for significant holdings; software wallets are convenient but less secure for large amounts.
  • Keep firmware up to date using Ledger Live. Firmware updates include security fixes.
  • Use passphrases (advanced) only if you understand how they work — they act as an additional hidden word that creates a separate wallet.
  • Store backups in physical, tamper-evident locations; consider metal backups for long-term durability.

Social engineering & scams

Attackers will impersonate support, send malicious links, or attempt to trick you into revealing seed words. Treat unsolicited messages as suspicious, and always navigate to official pages via bookmarks or typing the official domain manually.

Troubleshooting & Recovery

Lost device

If your device is lost or stolen, your assets are still safe as long as your recovery phrase is secure. Obtain a new Ledger device, choose "Restore device" during setup, and enter your recovery phrase to regain access.

Compromised recovery phrase

If you suspect the seed phrase was exposed, immediately create a new wallet and transfer funds to a new set of addresses backed by a new recovery phrase. This is the fastest and most reliable way to regain safety.

When to contact support

If you see abnormal behavior during setup, shipping tamper signs, or a message claiming your device is “infected”, pause and contact official support via the verified link above. Do not follow instructions from unverified sources.

Advanced topics (overview)

Passphrases

Passphrases add an extra secret word to your recovery phrase, effectively creating an additional wallet. This is powerful but dangerous if you lose the passphrase — it cannot be recovered. Only use this if you understand and can securely store the passphrase.

Multi-account strategies

Consider separating funds into multiple accounts for operational and savings purposes. For example, keep an everyday small balance on a hot wallet for quick use and the majority in a Ledger-managed cold wallet.

Conclusion and next steps

Setting up a hardware wallet is an essential step toward taking control of your digital assets. Follow the steps above closely: verify packaging, choose a strong PIN, write down the recovery phrase securely, install Ledger Live from the official website, and always confirm transactions on the device screen. Security is an ongoing practice — keep firmware up to date, be vigilant against phishing, and maintain safe backups.

Quick next steps
  1. Complete setup and write your recovery phrase on the supplied sheet.
  2. Install apps for the assets you plan to use in Ledger Live.
  3. Send a small test transaction to verify everything works.
  4. Store backup copies in secure physical locations.
Open Official Start Guide