Ledger Start — Quickstart & Setup Guide

Welcome! This page walks you step‑by‑step through getting your Ledger hardware wallet set up safely and confidently so you can manage your crypto assets offline.

Overview — what you’ll accomplish

In this guide you’ll learn how to:

Estimated time: 10–25 minutes depending on how carefully you follow the security steps.

Before you begin — checklist

1. Unboxing & physical verification

When your Ledger arrives, inspect the packaging and device for any signs of tampering. Ledger ships devices in sealed packaging — if the seal is broken or the packaging looks suspicious, contact Ledger Support immediately and do not use the device.

  1. Open the box gently and check the device model (e.g., Ledger Nano S Plus or Ledger Nano X).
  2. Confirm the included items: the hardware wallet, a USB cable (or USB‑C), recovery sheets, and quick start materials.
  3. Never accept a device that has prefilled recovery sheets or handwritten notes inside the box.

Safety tip: A Ledger device should never arrive with a recovery phrase already written down. If it does, the device may be compromised.

2. Download Ledger Live (official app)

Ledger Live is the official companion application used to manage your crypto accounts, install apps to your device, and send/receive assets. Always download Ledger Live from the official Ledger website: ledger.com/start.

  1. Visit ledger.com/start and select your device model.
  2. Download the Ledger Live Desktop or Mobile app for your platform.
  3. Install the app and open it. If your system prompts for permissions during install, allow the necessary permissions to let Ledger Live access the device when connected.

Do not download Ledger Live from third‑party sites or app stores other than the official ones. Scammers sometimes host fake apps.

3. Connect and initialize your Ledger device

Follow these steps to initialize your device for the first time:

  1. Connect your Ledger to your computer or phone using the supplied cable.
  2. When the device turns on, follow the on‑screen prompts. Choose Create a new device (unless you are restoring an existing wallet using a recovery phrase).
  3. Set a PIN code on the device. Make it at least 4 digits long; a longer PIN is more secure. Do not use common sequences like 1234 or easily guessable dates.

The PIN is stored only on the device and never transmitted. If you forget your PIN, you must restore your wallet with your recovery phrase.

4. Recovery phrase — the single most important step

After setting your PIN, the device will generate a recovery phrase (typically 24 words). This phrase is the only backup of your private keys. Anyone with these words can access your funds — protect them like you would protect a bank vault key.

  1. Write the words on the provided recovery sheet exactly in the order shown. Do not type them into any device connected to the Internet.
  2. Verify the words when prompted by the device; this ensures you recorded them correctly.
  3. Store the recovery sheet in a safe, secure location — consider a fireproof safe or a secure deposit box.

Never store your recovery phrase digitally (photos, notes, cloud storage, email). Do not share it with anyone, including people claiming to be Ledger Support. Ledger will never ask for your recovery phrase.

5. Install apps and add accounts in Ledger Live

Ledger devices support multiple cryptocurrencies through installable apps on the device. Use Ledger Live to install those apps and to add accounts.

  1. Open Ledger Live and go to the Manager tab (connect and unlock your device when prompted).
  2. Find the cryptocurrency apps you want (Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, etc.) and click Install. The apps are small and only temporarily take space on your device while installed.
  3. After installing, go to Accounts → Add account, choose the crypto asset and follow the prompts to add the account.

You can add many accounts to a single device. Ledger Live synchronizes the public addresses and balances — your private keys never leave the hardware wallet.

6. Receive and send crypto — first transaction

To receive funds:

  1. Open Ledger Live and select the account you want to receive to.
  2. Click Receive, confirm the address on your device matches the address shown in Ledger Live, then share that address with the sender.

To send funds:

  1. Choose Send in Ledger Live, enter the recipient address and amount.
  2. Review the details, and physically confirm the transaction on your Ledger device by checking the address and amount on the device screen before approving.

Always verify addresses on the device screen — software can be compromised, but the device screen is the single source of truth for confirmations.

7. Security best practices

8. Troubleshooting — common issues

Device not recognized: Try a different USB cable/port and make sure the device is unlocked. On mobile, use a supported OTG adapter or Bluetooth if your device supports it.

Forgot PIN: If you forget your PIN you must reset the device and restore accounts with your recovery phrase. This will erase the device; funds are safe as long as you have the recovery phrase.

Recovery phrase lost: If you lose the recovery phrase and the device is lost or damaged, there is no way to recover funds. Ledger cannot restore your wallet without the recovery phrase.

9. Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Can Ledger Live be used on multiple computers?

Yes — you can install Ledger Live on multiple machines. Accounts are derived from your device’s recovery phrase, so Ledger Live on different machines will display the same accounts when connected to the device.

Is my crypto stored on Ledger servers?

No. Your private keys are stored on your Ledger hardware device only. Ledger Live communicates public data (addresses and balances) but does not hold or control your crypto.

What happens if my Ledger is stolen?

If your device is stolen but you set a PIN, the thief cannot use the device without the PIN — however, if they have your recovery phrase, they can restore the wallet elsewhere. Treat your recovery phrase as the highest risk vector.

10. Next steps & resources

Once you’re comfortable with the setup and basic flows, consider these next steps:

If you need help, use Ledger’s official support channels — never trust unsolicited support requests via social media or email asking for your recovery phrase.