Welcome — What this guide covers
This page is a thorough, user-friendly walkthrough designed to help you start with a Ledger hardware wallet safely and confidently. It covers unboxing, initial setup, pin creation, secure backup practices, common troubleshooting, and safety recommendations. This content is educational in nature and intended to help you understand best practices — always follow your device prompts closely. ledger.com/start is the keyword reference used throughout this guide for clarity and search indexing.
Before you begin
Gather these items before starting: the Ledger device, the USB cable that shipped with it, a clean flat surface, a secure pen or pencil for writing recovery words (do not store them electronically), and a safe place to keep your backup. Make sure you are offline while writing down your recovery phrase and never type your recovery phrase into a website or an app. Your recovery phrase is the only way to restore your crypto if the device is lost or destroyed.
- Only purchase hardware wallets from reputable retailers.
- Do not download unknown firmware or click suspicious links.
- Never share your recovery phrase with anyone — not Ledger support, not friends.
1) Unbox & inspect
Inspect the box and tamper-evident seals (if present). Genuine devices come with packaging and a quick start guide. If the packaging looks altered or opened, contact the seller or official support before proceeding.
2) Power & initialize
Connect your Ledger device to power using the supplied cable. Follow the on-device instructions to set up as a new device. The device will prompt you to choose a PIN — choose a unique PIN that is easy for you to remember but hard to guess. Avoid common sequences like 1234 or 0000.
3) Record the recovery phrase
The device will generate a 24-word recovery phrase (some devices allow 12 words depending on the model/firmware). Write each word on the supplied recovery card or a metal backup if you use one. Confirm the words on the device when prompted. This phrase is the master key to your wallet; losing it means losing access to your funds, and revealing it means someone else can access your funds.
4) Install the Ledger Live companion app (optional)
Ledger Live is an application that runs on desktop and mobile for managing accounts, installing apps on your device, and checking balances. You may download Ledger Live from the official source. When installing, always verify the app domain and digital signatures where available. Once installed, follow the app's pairing instructions to connect with your device and add accounts.
5) Add accounts & apps
Install the blockchain-specific apps on your device through Ledger Live (for example, Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana). Then add accounts in Ledger Live to start receiving and monitoring funds. Each blockchain will require its specific app on-device and an account in the application. When sending or receiving crypto, always verify the receiving address on the device screen itself before confirming.
6) Verify and practice
Send a very small "test" amount when using a new address for the first time. Confirm transactions on the physical device and confirm the destination address displayed on the device matches the one shown by the app. This prevents malware or compromised software from tricking you into sending to the wrong address.
Common troubleshooting
- Device doesn't power on: try a different cable or USB port; ensure the cable supports data/power and is not power-only or charge-only cable.
- App errors: update Ledger Live and device firmware using official channels. Reboot your computer if necessary.
- Lost PIN: if you forget the PIN, the device will reset to factory settings; restore from your recovery phrase to regain access.
Privacy & security best practices
Keep backups offline. Consider using a fireproof, waterproof metal backup plate for long-term storage. Split backups across locations if you prefer redundancy, but avoid publicly known storage places (safety deposit boxes are sometimes used). Use a password manager for account passwords — not for storing your recovery phrase.
Recovery & emergency planning
Make a plan describing who will access your crypto in an emergency without revealing sensitive information in writing. Legal estate planning for crypto can include instructing an executor how to find the recovery phrase (without writing the phrase down in the same place as the instructions).
Frequently asked questions
Is it safe to connect my Ledger to the internet? Yes — the Ledger device signs transactions offline. Your private keys never leave the device. The companion app communicates with the device to build transactions but cannot extract your private keys.
What if my device is stolen? If you set a PIN, a thief would still need your PIN and recovery phrase to access funds. Use a strong PIN and keep your recovery phrase secure.
Can I restore my wallet to another Ledger? Yes — enter your recovery phrase on another compatible hardware wallet to restore access.