Download Ledger Live

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

Welcome to your new Ledger device. You are about to take a monumental step in securing your digital assets. This comprehensive guide will walk you through every step, ensuring your journey into self-custody is safe, secure, and successful.

Begin Setup Security First

Step 1: Unboxing and Verification

Before you power on your device, let's ensure everything is exactly as it should be. Your security begins now.

Check the Contents

Your Ledger device box should be shrink-wrapped and contain the following items:

  • Your Ledger Hardware Wallet (e.g., Nano X, Nano S Plus).
  • A USB-C to USB-A cable.
  • Getting started leaflet.
  • Three Recovery Phrase sheets.
  • A keychain strap.

If any of these items are missing, or if the box was not shrink-wrapped, please contact Ledger Support immediately and do not proceed.

Inspect Recovery Sheets

This is a critical security check. The recovery sheets provided in your box must be completely blank. They should be empty, numbered 1 to 24, waiting for you to write on them.

EXTREMELY IMPORTANT:

If your recovery sheets have any words pre-filled on them, your device is compromised. DO NOT use it. This is a scam designed to steal your funds. Contact Ledger Support immediately for a replacement.

Download Ledger Live

Ledger Live is the essential application for managing your crypto with your Ledger device. It allows you to set up your device, install apps, and manage your accounts securely.

To avoid phishing scams, only download Ledger Live from the official website: ledger.com/ledger-live. Never download it from an app store search, a link in an email, or any other unverified source. This is a common attack vector for scammers.

Official Download Page

Step 2: The Core Device Setup

This is the most important part of your journey. Follow these steps carefully and without distractions. The security of your assets depends on it.

  1. 1

    Power On and Navigate

    Connect your Ledger device to your computer using the provided USB cable. The device will power on and display a welcome message. The on-screen instructions will guide you through the initial steps. Use the two buttons on the device to navigate left and right through the menus. Press both buttons simultaneously to confirm a selection or proceed to the next step.

  2. 2

    Set up as New Device

    Your device will give you two options: "Set up as new device" or "Restore from recovery phrase". Since this is your first time, you must select "Set up as new device". The "Restore" option is only used if you are recovering a wallet from a previously generated recovery phrase.

  3. 3

    Choose a Secure PIN Code

    You will now be prompted to choose a PIN code. This PIN is your first line of defense, used to unlock your device for daily use. It protects your device from unauthorized physical access.

    • The PIN can be between 4 and 8 digits long. For maximum security, we strongly recommend using an 8-digit PIN.
    • Do not use simple or easily guessable PINs like '12345678', '00000000', or your date of birth.
    • Memorize your PIN. Do not store it digitally or on the same piece of paper as your recovery phrase.

    You will be asked to enter the PIN twice to confirm it. If you enter the wrong PIN three times in a row, the device will automatically reset to factory settings as a security measure. This erases everything from the device, but your crypto is safe as long as you have your recovery phrase.

  4. 4

    Generate and Write Down Your Recovery Phrase

    This is the single most important moment of the entire process. Your device will now generate a unique, secret 24-word Recovery Phrase. This phrase is the master key to all your cryptocurrency. Anyone who gets access to these 24 words can steal all of your assets, without needing your PIN or your physical device.

    ACTION REQUIRED: PAY FULL ATTENTION
    • Get one of your blank recovery sheets and a pen. Ensure you are in a private, secure location where no one can see what you are writing. There should be no cameras (including webcams or phones) pointed at your sheet.
    • Your device will display the 24 words one by one. Write down each word carefully and clearly in the corresponding numbered spot on the sheet. Double-check the spelling of each word before proceeding to the next.
    • Press the right button to see the next word. You can press the left button to go back and verify previous words.
    • Take your time. There is no rush. Accuracy is paramount. A single misspelled or incorrect word will make the entire phrase useless.
  5. 5

    Verify Your Recovery Phrase

    After you have written down all 24 words, your Ledger device will ask you to verify them. It will prompt you to select each word in the correct order from a list. This step is crucial to ensure you have written down the phrase correctly. Use your recovery sheet to select the correct words on your device. If you made a mistake, you can go back and start the verification process again. Once you have successfully confirmed all 24 words, your device setup is complete.

  6. 6

    Finalize with Ledger Live

    Your device is now ready. Open the Ledger Live application you downloaded earlier. Follow the on-screen instructions to connect your device. Ledger Live will perform a "Genuine Check" to ensure your device is a legitimate Ledger product. Once this check is passed, you are ready to install apps and create accounts to manage your crypto assets.

Security Deep Dive: Your 24-Word Recovery Phrase

Understanding and protecting your recovery phrase is non-negotiable. Read this section multiple times. Internalize it. Your financial sovereignty depends on it.

What is the Recovery Phrase?

Think of your Ledger device like a highly secure vault. The 24-word recovery phrase (also known as a seed phrase or mnemonic phrase) is the one and only master key to that vault. It is a representation of your private keys, which are what give you ownership and control over your crypto. Your device generates this phrase offline, and it is never exposed to your computer or the internet. This is the core of hardware wallet security. If your physical device is lost, stolen, or damaged, you can use this 24-word phrase to restore full access to all your crypto assets on a new Ledger device (or another compatible wallet).

The Golden Rules of Recovery Phrase Security

These rules are absolute. There are no exceptions.

  • 1. NEVER share your 24 words with anyone.

    Not your family, not your friends, and especially not anyone claiming to be from Ledger Support. We will NEVER ask for your recovery phrase. Anyone who does is a scammer trying to steal your funds.

  • 2. NEVER enter your 24 words on any website or app.

    Your recovery phrase should only ever be entered directly on a hardware wallet device itself during a recovery process. Any request to type it into a website, a browser extension, a mobile app, or even a Google Doc is a scam.

  • 3. NEVER store your 24 words digitally.

    Do not take a photo of it, do not save it in a text file, a password manager, or in cloud storage. Anything connected to the internet is vulnerable to hacking. It must remain entirely offline, forever.

  • 4. ALWAYS keep your 24 words in a secure, physical location.

    The paper sheets are a starting point. Consider more durable solutions to protect against physical threats like fire, water damage, or degradation over time. Think about a safe, a safety deposit box, or specialized steel wallets.

Best Practices for Storing Your Phrase

A single copy on a piece of paper is a single point of failure. Consider advanced strategies for long-term resilience:

  • Redundancy: Consider making one or two physical copies. Store them in separate, secure geographic locations. For example, one at your home in a fireproof safe, and another in a safety deposit box or at a trusted family member's house (without telling them what it is).
  • Durability: Paper is fragile. Look into steel backup solutions (like Billfodl or Cryptosteel) that allow you to stamp your recovery phrase into metal plates, making them resistant to fire and water.
  • Obfuscation: While not for beginners, some users split their phrase into parts (e.g., words 1-12 in one location, 13-24 in another). This adds complexity and risk; only do this if you have a very clear and robust system for retrieval. For most users, a full copy in a secure location is better.
  • Inheritance Planning: Think about how a loved one could access your funds if something were to happen to you. This requires careful planning and clear, sealed instructions without compromising your own security.

Step 3: Managing Your Crypto with Ledger Live

With your device secure, let's explore the day-to-day operations of sending and receiving crypto.

How to Securely Receive Crypto

To receive funds, you need to generate a receiving address. Ledger Live and your device work together to ensure this is done securely.

  1. 1. Open Ledger Live, connect and unlock your device with your PIN.
  2. 2. Navigate to the "Receive" tab in Ledger Live. Select the crypto account you want to receive funds into.
  3. 3. Ledger Live will display a receiving address. At the same time, your Ledger device will also display an address on its own screen.
  4. 4. CRITICAL STEP: Carefully compare the address shown on your computer screen with the address shown on your Ledger device's screen. They MUST match exactly. This check protects you from malware that could change the address on your computer to one owned by a hacker.
  5. 5. If they match, press both buttons on your device to approve the address. You can now safely copy the address from Ledger Live and share it to receive your crypto.

How to Securely Send Crypto

When sending funds, your device acts as the ultimate verifier, ensuring you are in full control.

  1. 1. Open Ledger Live, connect and unlock your device.
  2. 2. Navigate to the "Send" tab. Fill in the transaction details: recipient's address, amount, and network fee.
  3. 3. After clicking "Continue," your Ledger device will wake up and display the transaction details for you to verify.
  4. 4. CRITICAL STEP: On your device's trusted screen, meticulously verify every detail: the amount being sent and the recipient's address. Scroll through the entire address to make sure it matches the intended recipient perfectly.
  5. 5. If and only if everything is correct, approve the transaction by pressing both buttons on your device. Without this physical confirmation, no funds can ever leave your wallet. This is the security of a hardware wallet.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Answers to common questions you might have on your crypto journey.

What happens if I lose my Ledger device?

Your crypto is perfectly safe. The assets are not stored on the device itself; they are on the blockchain. Your device only holds the private keys that control them. If you lose your device, simply get a new Ledger (or other compatible hardware wallet), select the "Restore from recovery phrase" option during setup, and carefully enter your 24-word phrase. You will regain full access to all your funds.

What happens if I forget my PIN?

If you enter the incorrect PIN three times in a row, the device will perform a security wipe and reset to factory settings. This protects your funds if the device is stolen. After it resets, you can restore your wallet using your 24-word recovery phrase, just as if you had lost the device. You will then be able to set a new PIN.

What if my computer gets a virus?

This is exactly what a Ledger device is designed to protect you from. Because all critical operations (signing transactions, generating addresses) require physical verification and confirmation on the device's secure screen, a virus on your computer cannot steal your funds. It cannot authorize a transaction because it cannot press the buttons on your device. This is why you must always trust what you see on the device's screen over your computer's screen.

Does Ledger have access to my crypto or my recovery phrase?

Absolutely not. Ledger is a non-custodial wallet provider. Your 24-word recovery phrase is generated randomly and securely offline by your device's chip. It is never seen by Ledger, your computer, or the internet. We have zero knowledge of your private keys and zero ability to access your funds. You, and only you, are in control. This is the essence of self-custody.

How do I update the firmware on my device?

Firmware updates are crucial for security and new features. Ledger Live will notify you when an update is available. The update process is guided within the Ledger Live app and requires you to confirm steps on your device. Before any firmware update, ALWAYS ensure you have your 24-word recovery phrase physically accessible and verified, just in case a problem occurs and you need to restore your device.