Welcome — what this page covers
Ledger.com/Start® is the official starting point for new and returning Ledger users. This guide walks you through every step you need to securely set up a Ledger hardware wallet, install Ledger Live™, initialize and protect your recovery phrase, add blockchain accounts, and use the app to send, receive, stake, and track your assets. Follow these instructions to stay secure and avoid common mistakes that lead to lost funds.
1. Unboxing & device authenticity
When your Ledger device arrives, inspect its packaging carefully. Official Ledger devices come in tamper-evident packaging and include a device, a USB cable, recovery sheets, and printed instructions. If the packaging looks opened, tampered, or the device appears preconfigured, do not proceed — contact Ledger Support via the official site.
- Buy only from Ledger.com or authorized sellers.
- Do not accept used or pre-initialized devices.
- Record the device serial number and retention details for your records.
2. Install Ledger Live™ (official app)
Ledger Live™ is the official companion app for Ledger hardware wallets. It’s available for Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android. Always download Ledger Live from Ledger.com/ledger-live — never from unknown links.
Ledger Live lets you:
- Install blockchain apps on your device.
- Create and manage accounts for Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana and thousands of tokens.
- Send and receive crypto with device-verified transaction signing.
- Stake supported assets, buy/sell via partners, and view NFTs.
3. Setting up your Ledger device
After installing Ledger Live, launch the app and follow the guided "Set up a new device" flow. The core steps are:
- Power on the device and choose to set it up as new.
- Create a PIN code using the device buttons — this protects the device from unauthorized physical use.
- Write down the 24-word recovery phrase displayed on the device, in order, on the supplied recovery sheets.
- Confirm a few words to verify you recorded the phrase correctly.
- Finish the setup and allow Ledger Live to verify the device and optionally update firmware.
4. Recovery phrase — your most important backup
The recovery phrase (seed) is the master key to your crypto. If your device is lost, damaged, or stolen, anyone with the recovery phrase can access your funds. Protect it like cash or a legal document.
Best practices:- Write the recovery words only on the supplied recovery card or a trusted offline medium.
- Do not photograph, copy, or store the phrase digitally (no phone photos, no cloud storage).
- Consider a durable metal backup for fire/water resistance.
- Store backups in more than one secure location (e.g., safe, safety deposit box) but be mindful of the single-point-of-failure risk and legal access rules in your jurisdiction.
5. Add accounts & install blockchain apps
Each blockchain requires a device app to be installed. Use Ledger Live’s Manager to install apps like Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, etc. Installing an app does not expose private keys; it enables the device to sign transactions for that chain.
- Open Ledger Live and go to Manager.
- Connect and unlock your Ledger device (enter PIN).
- Install desired blockchain apps and add accounts via the Accounts tab.
Once an account is added you’ll be able to generate receive addresses and monitor balances from Ledger Live.
6. Sending and receiving crypto
When sending funds, Ledger Live constructs the transaction and your Ledger device must physically approve and sign it. Always verify transaction details on the device screen before confirming.
- Verify receive addresses on your Ledger device before sharing them — this prevents address-replacement malware.
- For large transactions, first send a small test amount to confirm the flow.
- Pay attention to chain-specific memo or tag fields (XRP, BNB, etc.) — missing them can result in lost funds.
7. Security tips — habits that protect
Ledger devices provide strong technical protections, but user behavior completes the security model. Adopt these habits:
- Only use official Ledger Live and firmware updates. Verify URLs and signatures if available.
- Keep your PIN secret and unique. Do not reuse device PINs across other services.
- Always confirm transaction details on your device screen — the device is the single source of truth.
- Beware of phishing: bookmark Ledger.com and never download tools from unsolicited links or emails.
- Consider enabling passphrase features only if you understand the additional responsibility (lost passphrase = lost funds in that hidden wallet).
8. Frequently asked questions
- Q: Can I recover my funds if I lose my device?
- A: Yes — with your recovery phrase you can restore your wallets on a new Ledger device or any compatible recovery tool.
- Q: Is Ledger Live free?
- A: Yes. Ledger Live is free to download and use. Integrated third-party services (buy/sell/swap) may charge fees.
- Q: What if I forget my PIN?
- A: If you forget the PIN, you must reset the device (which erases local data). Restore your accounts using the recovery phrase. Without the recovery phrase, funds cannot be recovered.
- Q: Should I ever enter my recovery phrase into software?
- A: No — never enter your recovery phrase into websites, apps, or share it. The phrase must stay offline and private.
9. Final checklist before going live
- Verified device packaging and authenticity on arrival.
- Downloaded Ledger Live from the official site and installed it.
- Initialized device, created a PIN, and carefully recorded the 24-word recovery phrase offline.
- Installed necessary blockchain apps and added accounts in Ledger Live.
- Tested send/receive with a small transaction and verified security practices.
Following these steps will put you in a strong position to manage your crypto assets securely. If you need help, use the official support channels on Ledger.com.