Getting started — Securely set up your Ledger hardware wallet, manage assets, and learn best practices.
Welcome to Ledger
Ledger hardware wallets give you full control over your crypto assets by keeping private keys offline in a secure element. This guide walks you through everything from unboxing to sending your first transaction — step by step, clearly and safely.
Ledger Nano S Plus, Ledger Nano X, and other official Ledger models.
Wide crypto support
Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, XRP, and thousands of ERC-20 tokens.
Recovery & backup
Industry-standard BIP39 recovery seeds and secure onboarding.
What you’ll need
Your Ledger device (unopened, from an authorized retailer)
A computer or mobile device compatible with Ledger Live (USB or Bluetooth)
A secure place to write and store your recovery phrase — never store digitally
Time and attention — setup and backups should not be rushed
Step-by-step setup
Follow these steps carefully to initialize your Ledger device, create an account, and secure your recovery phrase.
1. Unbox & inspect
Only buy Ledger devices from official channels or authorized resellers. Check the packaging for tamper-evident seals and do not use a device that appears opened or altered.
2. Install Ledger Live
Download Ledger Live from the official site (ledger.com/start). Install the app on your desktop or mobile device and open it. Ledger Live will guide you through the rest of the onboarding flow.
3. Initialize device
Choose one of the following during the device setup on Ledger Live:
Set up as new device: Create a new wallet and generate a new recovery phrase (recommended for first-time users).
Restore device: Restore from an existing recovery phrase if you already have a Ledger or another hardware wallet.
4. Choose a PIN
Set a 4-8 digit PIN on the device itself. The PIN protects access to the device — it is required every time you sign a transaction. Never share your PIN with anyone.
5. Write your recovery phrase
Ledger devices generate a recovery phrase (12, 18, or 24 words depending on model and settings). Write each word on the provided recovery card or another secure offline medium. NEVER store your recovery phrase on a computer, phone, cloud storage, or photograph it.
Important: Anyone with your recovery phrase can access your funds. Keep it offline, secret, and in multiple secure physical locations if desired.
6. Verify & finish
Your device will ask you to verify some words from your recovery phrase to ensure you wrote them correctly. After verification, your device is initialized and ready to use. Add accounts via Ledger Live to manage specific blockchains.
7. Add accounts
In Ledger Live, go to "Accounts" → "Add Account" and choose the blockchain (e.g., Bitcoin, Ethereum). Ledger Live will derive and display your public receiving addresses — you can now receive funds to those addresses.
8. Receive & send crypto
To receive crypto, open the corresponding account in Ledger Live, click "Receive," and verify the address on your device before sharing it. To send, prepare a transaction in Ledger Live or another compatible wallet, and confirm the transaction details on your Ledger device to sign it.
9. Regular maintenance
Keep Ledger Live updated and apply firmware updates when legitimately prompted by the official app. Do not install firmware from untrusted sources. Check release notes in Ledger Live and the official website.
Security best practices
Ledger is designed around the principle that private keys remain offline. Follow these best practices to reduce risk:
Protect your recovery phrase
Write it down manually on the supplied card or a certified backup (steel backup solutions are available).
Store copies in physically separate, secure locations (safe, safety deposit box).
Never enter the recovery phrase into a computer, phone, or website.
Verify everything on-device
When receiving an address, always confirm the address shown in Ledger Live matches the one on your device.
When signing a transaction, verify amounts, destinations, and fees on the device screen before approving.
Recognize scams
Ledger or other legitimate services will never ask for your recovery phrase. Beware phishing emails, fake support sites, and social-engineering attempts. If someone asks for your seed words, PIN, or private keys — it's a scam.
Firmware & software
Only update firmware via Ledger Live when prompted and ensure Ledger Live is downloaded from the official site. Keep your computer and phone OS up to date and use reputable anti-malware tools where appropriate.
Advanced topics
Using third-party apps
Ledger devices can be used with supported third-party wallets and dApps (e.g., MetaMask, MyEtherWallet, Solana wallets). When connecting, confirm the application origin and always verify transaction details on your device.
Multisig & enterprise
Ledger supports multisignature setups and enterprise workflows. For teams and organizations, follow audited multisig patterns and consider hardware-backed HSM solutions in combination with Ledger where required for compliance.
Recovering a wallet
If your device is lost or damaged, you can restore your wallet from the recovery phrase using a new Ledger device or any compatible BIP39-compliant wallet. Do not use untrusted recovery tools; restore only on trusted hardware or official software.
FAQ
What if I lose my recovery phrase?
If you lose your recovery phrase, you may lose access to your assets permanently. There is no central authority that can recover your funds. Ledger recommends creating multiple secure backups and keeping them offline.
Can I buy a Ledger directly from Ledger?
Yes — buying directly from the official site (ledger.com) or authorized retailers reduces the risk of tampered devices.
Does Ledger support NFTs?
Yes — NFTs on supported blockchains can be viewed and managed with Ledger Live and compatible third-party wallets. Always verify NFT metadata and contract addresses before interacting.
Is my Ledger device compatible with mobile?
Ledger Nano X supports Bluetooth pairing with mobile. Ledger Nano S Plus and other models are compatible via USB OTG adapters depending on your mobile device. Check device compatibility in Ledger Live.
Troubleshooting
Device not recognized
Try different USB ports, cables, or reboot your computer. Ensure Ledger Live is up to date and the device firmware is current. If pairing via Bluetooth, toggle Bluetooth and reattempt pairing in Ledger Live.
Forgot PIN
If you forget your PIN, you must reset the device and restore from your recovery phrase. The reset erases the device but your funds remain recoverable with the seed phrase.
Firmware update stuck
Do not disconnect during firmware updates. If an update fails, follow the recovery instructions in Ledger Live or contact official support. Avoid unofficial repair procedures.