Welcome — this friendly guide walks you through the essential first steps to set up your Ledger device, secure your recovery phrase, and connect to Ledger Live. Keep this page handy while you follow along.
Carefully remove your Ledger from its packaging. Make sure the seal is intact and the device looks undamaged. Ledger devices ship with a USB cable and a recovery sheet — do not use any accessories from unknown sources.
Tip — If anything appears tampered with, stop and contact official support through Ledger.com.
Power your device and follow the on-screen instructions to choose a secure PIN code. Your PIN protects access to the device; choose something memorable but not trivial.
Example: 4–8 digits (avoid repeating or sequential numbers)
Security note — Never share your PIN with anyone.
The device will display a 24-word recovery phrase. Write every word in order on the provided recovery sheet. This is the only backup of your wallet — losing it means losing access to your funds.
Do not store the recovery phrase digitally, photograph it, or enter it into websites. Keep it offline and in a safe place.
Download Ledger Live from the official Ledger website, install the app on your computer or mobile device, and follow the setup wizard to create a portfolio.
Note — Only download Ledger Live from Ledger.com to avoid phishing.
Inside Ledger Live, install the crypto apps you need (Bitcoin, Ethereum, etc.) and add accounts. Each account corresponds to a public address you can receive funds on.
Heads up — Install only the apps you use and remove unused ones to keep the device tidy.
When receiving crypto, always verify the receiving address on your Ledger device screen, not only in Ledger Live. Addresses must match exactly before you send funds.
Pro tip — Confirm the address every time, even from familiar wallets.
Regularly update Ledger Live and your device firmware. Updates include security improvements and new features — apply them only from official sources.
Reminder — Do updates in a secure environment; avoid public Wi‑Fi when possible.
Consider metal backups and fireproof storage. Sharing the phrase or storing it online can lead to theft; treat it like the bearer instrument to your assets.
Extra — Consider splitting the phrase into multiple secure locations for redundancy.
Ledger will never ask for your recovery phrase or PIN. Beware of phishing emails, fake websites, and unsolicited support calls. If in doubt, visit Ledger.com directly.
If contacted — Do not provide any sensitive information and report suspicious activity to official support.
With your device initialized, PIN set, and recovery phrase secured, you can manage assets with Ledger Live and sign transactions safely using your device.
Final note — Regularly review account activity and maintain good operational security.