Welcome to Ledger. You’ve taken an important step toward protecting your digital assets with a hardware wallet built for security, ownership, and long-term peace of mind. Ledger.com/start is your official entry point for setting up your device correctly and learning how to manage crypto safely from day one.
This guide will walk you through the essentials: setting up your Ledger device, installing Ledger Live, safeguarding your recovery phrase, managing accounts, and following best security practices. Take your time—security starts with doing things right.
Cryptocurrency gives you freedom, but it also places responsibility in your hands. Unlike exchanges or software wallets that keep private keys online, Ledger hardware wallets store your private keys offline inside a secure chip. This design protects your assets from hacking, malware, and phishing attacks.
With Ledger, you get:
Ledger ensures that only you can authorize transactions. No third party can move your funds without your approval.
Before starting setup, prepare the following:
⚠️ Important: Never share your recovery phrase with anyone. Ledger will never ask for it—online, by email, or by phone.
Carefully unbox your Ledger device and confirm that the packaging is intact. Ledger devices are designed so they don’t require pre-sealed hardware—your device generates private keys only during setup, not before.
If anything looks unusual or damaged, do not proceed. Contact official Ledger support before continuing.
Ledger Live is the official app that allows you to manage your crypto securely. It is used to install apps on your device, add accounts, send and receive assets, and monitor your portfolio.
Download Ledger Live only from the official Ledger website. Avoid links from emails, ads, or social media messages.
With Ledger Live, you can:
Connect your Ledger device to your computer or phone and power it on. When prompted, select “Set up as new device.”
Create a PIN directly on the device. This PIN protects your wallet if someone gains physical access to your Ledger. Choose a code that is hard to guess but easy for you to remember.
Entering the wrong PIN multiple times will reset the device, protecting your assets from unauthorized access.
Your Ledger device will generate a 24-word recovery phrase. This phrase is the master key to your crypto.
Your recovery phrase is more important than the device itself. If the device is lost or damaged, the phrase restores access to your crypto. If someone else gets it, they control your funds.
To ensure accuracy, your Ledger device will ask you to confirm selected words from your recovery phrase. This step verifies that your backup is correct and usable.
Take your time. A single incorrect word can prevent wallet recovery later.
Once setup is complete, open Ledger Live and start adding cryptocurrency accounts. Each blockchain requires its own app, which runs securely on your Ledger device.
You can add accounts for:
Every receiving address is displayed on both Ledger Live and your device screen, allowing you to verify authenticity before using it.
To receive crypto:
To send crypto:
This confirmation step ensures that malware or compromised computers cannot alter your transactions.
Scammers often impersonate Ledger. Stay alert.
Ledger will never:
Security tips:
If someone asks for your recovery phrase, it is always a scam.
If your Ledger device is lost, stolen, or damaged, your crypto is still safe—as long as you have your recovery phrase.
To restore:
Your accounts and balances will reappear once restored.
Ledger is more than a wallet. It’s a secure gateway to the crypto ecosystem.
With Ledger Live and compatible apps, you can:
All while keeping your private keys offline and under your control.
Strong security doesn’t stop after setup:
Your habits are the final layer of protection.
Ledger.com/start is your foundation for safe self-custody. By following these steps, you ensure that your crypto remains protected, private, and fully under your control.
With Ledger, you don’t rely on third parties—you own your assets, your keys, and your future.