Get Started with Ledger®

Secure your cryptocurrency with the world's most trusted hardware wallet. Follow our complete setup guide to protect your digital assets safely and start your journey into secure crypto management.

Welcome to the official Ledger setup guide. Whether you've just purchased your first Ledger Nano S, Nano X, or Nano S Plus, this comprehensive guide will walk you through every step needed to secure your cryptocurrency investments. Hardware wallets represent the gold standard in cryptocurrency security, offering offline storage that protects your digital assets from online threats, exchange hacks, and malware attacks.

In this guide, you'll learn how to properly unbox and initialize your device, set up Ledger Live software, secure your recovery phrase, install cryptocurrency applications, and begin managing your digital portfolio with confidence. By the end of this tutorial, you'll have a fully functional hardware wallet setup that provides bank-level security for your cryptocurrency holdings.

Complete Hardware Wallet Setup Instructions

Follow these detailed step-by-step instructions to set up your Ledger hardware wallet securely and start managing your cryptocurrency with complete peace of mind.

1

Unbox Your Ledger Device

Carefully unbox your Ledger device and verify all contents are included. Check for the device itself, USB cable, recovery sheets, getting started leaflet, and any additional accessories depending on your model.

  • Verify anti-tampering seal integrity
  • Check packaging for any signs of tampering
  • Ensure all components are present
2

Install Ledger Live Software

Download and install Ledger Live, the official companion application for managing your Ledger device and cryptocurrencies. Available for Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android platforms.

Download Ledger Live
3

Initialize Your Device

Connect your device to your computer and follow the on-screen instructions to set up as a new device or restore from an existing recovery phrase. Choose a strong PIN code for device access.

  • Set secure 4-8 digit PIN code
  • Generate new recovery phrase

Secure Your Recovery Phrase

Write down your 24-word recovery phrase on the provided recovery sheets in the exact order displayed. This phrase is your ultimate backup and the only way to recover your wallet.

Never share or photograph your recovery phrase

5

Install Cryptocurrency Apps

Use Ledger Live's Manager section to install cryptocurrency applications on your device. Each supported cryptocurrency requires its own dedicated app for secure management.

  • Bitcoin (BTC) app
  • Ethereum (ETH) app
  • 5,500+ supported cryptocurrencies

Create Your First Accounts

Add cryptocurrency accounts in Ledger Live and generate your first receiving addresses. You can now safely receive, store, and manage your digital assets with hardware-level security.

🎉 Congratulations! You're ready to securely manage cryptocurrency

Ledger Live: Your Complete Crypto Management Hub

Ledger Live is the official companion application that transforms your hardware wallet into a comprehensive cryptocurrency management platform, providing secure access to over 5,500 digital assets.

Essential Features & Capabilities

Device Setup & Management

Complete device initialization, firmware updates, app installation, and security configuration all from one centralized interface.

Portfolio Tracking & Analytics

Monitor your entire cryptocurrency portfolio with real-time pricing, historical performance charts, balance tracking, and comprehensive transaction history.

Secure Transactions

Send and receive cryptocurrencies with hardware-verified security. Every transaction requires physical confirmation on your Ledger device for maximum protection.

Download Ledger Live Today

Download for Desktop
Available for Windows, macOS & Linux

Security Notice: Only download Ledger Live from official sources. Verify the publisher and check digital signatures before installation.

Recovery Phrase Security: Your Digital Vault Key

Your 24-word recovery phrase is the master key to your entire cryptocurrency portfolio. Understanding how to properly secure and manage this phrase is crucial for protecting your digital wealth for years to come.

Security Best Practices

Physical Documentation

Write your recovery phrase on the provided recovery sheets using a pen. Double-check each word and its position number for accuracy.

Secure Physical Storage

Store in a fireproof safe, bank safety deposit box, or other secure physical location. Keep away from your hardware device.

Multiple Backup Copies

Create several copies and store them in different secure locations for redundancy. Consider geographic distribution for maximum security.

Regular Verification

Periodically verify your recovery phrase backup is accurate and readable. Test the recovery process on a secondary device if possible.

Critical Security Warnings

No Digital Storage

Never store your recovery phrase on computers, phones, cloud services, password managers, or any connected digital device.

No Sharing or Support Requests

Never share your recovery phrase with anyone, including Ledger support, family members, or financial advisors. Legitimate support never needs this information.

No Photography or Screenshots

Avoid taking photos, screenshots, or any digital images of your recovery phrase. These can be compromised by malware or data breaches.

No Online Entry

Never enter your recovery phrase on websites, phishing sites, fake Ledger Live applications, or any online platform.

Ultimate Recovery Responsibility

Your recovery phrase is the only method to restore access to your cryptocurrency if your hardware device is lost, stolen, damaged, or malfunctions. Ledger cannot recover your funds without this phrase - you are your own bank, and with that comes the responsibility of secure key management.

Frequently Asked Questions

Find comprehensive answers to the most common questions about Ledger hardware wallets, setup procedures, security practices, and troubleshooting guidance.

Ledger

This comprehensive setup guide is provided for educational purposes to help users safely configure their Ledger hardware wallets. Always verify information and software downloads from official Ledger sources at ledger.com for your security and protection.

© 2024 Ledger SAS. All rights reserved. Ledger hardware wallets are manufactured by Ledger SAS in France. This guide is not officially affiliated with Ledger SAS but follows their recommended security practices.