Getting started with your Ledger device

Welcome — this guide walks you through everything you need to unbox, set up, and start using your Ledger hardware wallet securely. It’s written in plain English with step-by-step instructions, best practices, and answers to common questions. Whether you’re brand new to hardware wallets or migrating funds, follow each section carefully to protect your crypto.

Before you begin (what you’ll need)

Your new Ledger hardware device (Ledger Nano S, Nano S Plus, Nano X, etc.).
A computer or mobile phone with a USB port (and, for Nano X, Bluetooth if you prefer mobile pairing).
An official Ledger cable (included) or an appropriate USB cable — do not use untrusted adapters.
A private, quiet place where you won’t be interrupted while you record recovery information.
Pen and the supplied recovery sheet (do not use cloud notes, photos, or digital files to store your recovery phrase).

Important: Always confirm you have the official Ledger packaging and tamper-evident seals before setting up. Only download the official Ledger Live application from ledger.com/start or from the official app stores.

Unboxing & first impressions

When you open the box you should find:

The Ledger device in its protective sleeve.
A USB cable.
One or more recovery sheets (paper) and instructions.
Quick start leaflet and warranty information.

Inspect the items. If seals look broken or anything seems suspicious, stop and contact the vendor or the official Ledger support channels. Don’t use a device that appears tampered with.

Step 1 — Install Ledger Live (the official app)

Ledger Live is the official companion app for managing your device, installing apps, and performing transactions. Install it on the computer or mobile device you plan to use.

Open a browser and go to ledger.com/start to download the latest Ledger Live. (Avoid third-party links.)
Choose your operating system (Windows, macOS, Linux) or the mobile version (iOS / Android) from the official source.
Install Ledger Live and run the application. It will perform a quick update check and guide you through first-time steps.

Tip: Ledger Live periodically updates. When updates are available, install them — they often include important security fixes and new coin support.

Step 2 — Initialize your Ledger device

Follow the prompts on your Ledger device screen during the initial setup. Typical steps include:

Power on the device by connecting it to your computer or phone via the provided cable (or power on and pair via Bluetooth for Nano X mobile setup).
Choose “Set up as new device” when prompted, unless you are restoring from an existing recovery phrase.
Create a secure PIN code on the device — this is required to unlock the device on every use. Choose a PIN you can remember but that is not easily guessable.
The device will generate a recovery phrase (typically 24 words). Write those words exactly on the provided recovery sheet in the shown order. Do not photograph, copy digitally, or store this phrase online.

Security warning: The recovery phrase is the single most important piece of information for your crypto. Anyone who obtains it can access your funds. Never share your recovery phrase. Ledger or any legitimate service will never ask for it.

After writing the phrase down the device will ask you to confirm the words in order — this verifies you recorded them correctly.

Step 3 — Pairing your device with Ledger Live

Open Ledger Live and follow the app’s “Get started” flow.
Select your device model and confirm the connection on the device when requested.
Ledger Live will ask whether you are setting up a new device or restoring an existing one. Confirm the correct choice.
Set a password for Ledger Live if you want additional protection for the app itself — this is different from your device PIN.

Once paired, you can install coin-specific apps on the device through Ledger Live and add accounts to manage different cryptocurrencies.

Step 4 — Install apps & add accounts

Ledger devices use small, coin-specific apps that run on the device. Ledger Live manages app installation:

In Ledger Live, go to the Manager tab. Allow the device to connect and confirm on the device when requested.
Search for the coin or token you want to manage (e.g., Bitcoin, Ethereum). Click Install next to the coin’s app.
After installation, go to Accounts → Add account, choose the coin and follow the instructions to add an account.

Each account corresponds to one cryptocurrency (or blockchain). You can add multiple accounts for the same coin (for different addresses) if needed.

Step 5 — Receive, send, and confirm transactions

Receiving:

In Ledger Live select Accounts → Receive.
Open the matching app on your device (e.g., Bitcoin app) when prompted and confirm the address shown on your Ledger device matches the address shown in Ledger Live.
Only use addresses that you verified on the device screen — that ensures the address wasn’t injected by malware.

Sending:

In Ledger Live choose Accounts → Send, enter the destination address and amount.
Connect and unlock your Ledger device, open the correct coin app, and review the transaction details on the device display before approving.
Confirm the transaction on the Ledger device — the final confirmation on the device physically signs the transaction with your private keys stored inside the device.

Always verify the destination address carefully. Copy-paste can be manipulated by malware; visual confirmation on the device screen is the most secure way to confirm destination details.

Best practices & security checklist

Follow these rules to keep your crypto secure:

Never share your recovery phrase. No legitimate company, support agent, or exchange will ever ask for it.
Store the recovery sheet in a safe, physical location (safe deposit box, home safe). Consider durable backup options (e.g., metal seed storage) if you hold significant funds.
Use a strong device PIN and do not reuse easily guessed numbers (birthdays, repeated digits).
Keep your device firmware and Ledger Live software up to date.
Avoid installing third-party apps from untrusted sources onto the device.
For large amounts, consider splitting holdings across multiple devices or using a multi-signature setup.
Be wary of phishing sites and always verify the domain when downloading or entering personal information. Bookmark official pages you use frequently.

Consider a “practice” transaction the first time you receive funds: send a small test amount to confirm everything works before moving larger sums.

Troubleshooting — common issues

My device is not recognized by Ledger Live: Check the cable and USB port, try a different port, and ensure the device screen is on. Restart Ledger Live and your computer. Avoid USB hubs if possible.
I lost my PIN: If you forget your PIN, you can reset the device to factory and restore using your recovery phrase. This will remove all data on the device; restoring requires the full recovery phrase. If you lost both the device and the recovery phrase, funds cannot be recovered.
I think my recovery phrase was exposed: Assume it is compromised. Move funds immediately to a new wallet with a newly generated device and new recovery phrase. If funds are large, consider professional assistance from reputable custodial or recovery specialists (do not share your recovery phrase with them; only use recommended safe workflows).
I received a support request asking for my recovery phrase: This is a scam. Never provide your phrase. Contact official support channels only via ledger.com/support.

Advanced topics (optional)

Using multiple devices / passphrase (25th word)

Ledger supports an optional passphrase feature that adds an extra word (a 25th secret) to your recovery phrase. This creates a hidden wallet accessible only when the passphrase is entered. While powerful, it’s advanced:

A passphrase is not stored by Ledger — if you forget it, funds in the hidden wallet are lost.
Use this feature only if you fully understand how passphrases work and can manage backups securely.

Using coin-specific features

Some cryptocurrencies have additional staking, smart-contract, or DeFi interactions. Ledger provides integration for many chains, but always double-check:

Which Ledger Live features are supported vs. which require third-party integrations.
How to approve contract interactions on your device safely.

FAQ — quick answers

Is my private key stored on the device?: Yes — private keys remain inside the secure element of the Ledger device and never leave it.
Can Ledger recover my funds if I lose my recovery phrase?: No. The recovery phrase is the only backup. If it’s lost and you cannot access the device, funds cannot be recovered.
Can I use Ledger with multiple computers or phones?: Yes. The device can be connected to different computers or the mobile Ledger Live app (using cable or Bluetooth depending on model). The security model remains the same because the keys stay on the device.
Is using Ledger sufficient to protect against all threats?: Ledger protects your private keys from many digital threats, but you must also follow best practices (safe storage of recovery phrase, secure host devices, avoid phishing) to minimize risk.

Checklist — ready to go

Before you move significant funds, tick off this checklist:

Device unboxed and inspected.
Ledger Live installed from an official source.
Device initialized and PIN set.
Recovery phrase written down and verified on the supplied sheet.
Ledger Live paired and at least one coin app installed.
Test transaction sent and received successfully.
Backups stored in a safe, offline location.

Glossary — short terms

Hardware wallet: A physical device that stores cryptographic keys offline.
Recovery phrase / Seed: A sequence of words (usually 24) that can restore your wallet and funds if the device is lost or damaged.
Ledger Live: The official desktop and mobile application used to manage Ledger devices and accounts.
Secure Element: A tamper-resistant chip inside the device that protects private keys.