Presentation • Beginner guide • Hands-on

Get started with Ledger* | Ledger.com/start

Secure your crypto with a hardware wallet
Approx. reading time: 8–12 minutes

Overview: Why use a Ledger hardware wallet?

A hardware wallet keeps your private keys offline in a dedicated device — isolating them from the internet and significantly reducing the risk of hacking, phishing, and remote theft. Ledger devices combine a secure element, verified firmware, and the Ledger Live companion app to create a practical, everyday workflow for sending, receiving, and managing many cryptocurrencies.

What you'll learn in this guide

Before you begin

What you need

Important safety reminders

Always buy Ledger hardware only from the official store or an authorized reseller. Avoid pre-owned devices. Never enter your recovery phrase into a website, app, or phone — it only belongs on the physical device or the official recovery sheet. Ledger will never ask for your recovery phrase.

Official purchase link

https://ledger.com

Step 1 — Unbox & verify

Unboxing checklist

Verify the device

Inspect packaging for tampering and check that there is no suspicious software pre-installed. If anything looks off, contact Ledger Support immediately via ledger.com/support.

Step 2 — Initialize device

Power up and choose options

Connect your Ledger to your computer or phone and follow on-device prompts. You will be asked to:

On-device prompts (example)

  1. Welcome — press both buttons to begin
  2. Choose language
  3. Choose "Set up as new device"
  4. Create PIN
  5. Write down the recovery phrase (24 words or 12 depending on device)

Never photograph or store your recovery phrase digitally.

Step 3 — Install Ledger Live

Download the official app

Ledger Live is the companion application that allows you to manage accounts, install app packages on the device, and send or receive funds. Download Ledger Live from the official page below only:

https://ledger.com/ledger-live

Install and connect

Ledger Live will never request your recovery phrase — only your device and on-device confirmations are required.

Step 4 — Add & manage accounts

Installing apps on the device

Each cryptocurrency requires an app on your Ledger device. Use Ledger Live’s Manager to install the apps you need. After installing, create accounts in Ledger Live for each currency.

Receiving funds

  1. Open the relevant account in Ledger Live.
  2. Click “Receive” and confirm the address shown on your device matches the one in Ledger Live.
  3. Share that address to receive funds.

Sending funds

To send, initiate the transaction in Ledger Live, confirm details, and always verify the amount and recipient address on the device screen before approving.

Security best practices

Protect your PIN

Use a PIN that is not easily guessable. If you enter the wrong PIN multiple times, the device will wipe itself — this is by design to protect your keys.

Secure your recovery phrase

Beware of phishing

Official Ledger links always use ledger.com. Do not trust random pop-ups, emails, or social media messages asking for your recovery phrase. If in doubt check ledger.com/support.

Advanced tips

Using multiple accounts & device management

You can add several accounts for the same currency (different derivation paths) or manage multiple Ledger devices from one Ledger Live instance.

Use with decentralized apps (dApps)

Connect your Ledger to dApp wallets that support hardware signatures (for example, when using Ethereum dApps). Always verify transaction details on-device.

Developer & integration resources

Developers can explore Ledger’s developer documentation to integrate Ledger-supported signing into apps and services: ledger.com/developers

Troubleshooting & support

Common issues

Official support channels

For accurate help, always use Ledger’s official support and documentation:

Recovery & what to do if things go wrong

Lost device

If your Ledger is lost or stolen, use your recovery phrase on a new Ledger (or compatible wallet) to restore access. Because only the seed controls funds, possession of the device alone is not sufficient to move funds without the PIN or recovery phrase.

Compromised recovery phrase

If you suspect your recovery phrase has been exposed, move funds to a new wallet immediately using a new seed. You must act quickly — recovery phrases are the single point of control for funds.

Learn more

Visit the recovery guide: ledger.com/start/recovery

Glossary

Key terms at a glance

Extra resources & official links (10 official ledger links)

Below are the 10 official Ledger links referenced through this guide. Bookmark them for quick access:

  1. https://ledger.com/start
  2. https://ledger.com/ledger-live
  3. https://ledger.com/support
  4. https://ledger.com/academy
  5. https://ledger.com
  6. ledger.com/support/phishing
  7. ledger.com/developers
  8. ledger.com/support/contact
  9. ledger.com/faq
  10. ledger.com/start/recovery

Use these official pages for downloads, documentation, and verified support. Avoid URLs from unknown domains when troubleshooting or downloading software.

Final checklist — before you start transacting

Start now

Ready to begin? Click the official start page and follow the step-by-step setup guide provided by Ledger:

Get started: ledger.com/start