Short guide to securely set up your Ledger hardware wallet, step-by-step, with safety reminders and troubleshooting tips.
This document explains how to initialize a Ledger device using Ledger.com/start, securely create and store your recovery phrase, install apps, and safely transact. Follow each step carefully: hardware wallets protect your private keys offline, but missteps (lost recovery phrase, fake devices, malware) can lead to permanent loss.
Gather these items and prepare a clean environment:
Make sure your Ledger package is sealed, tamper-free, and purchased from an authorized vendor. Ledger devices come with unique packaging features; if anything looks altered, contact Ledger support and do not use the device.
Open your browser and go to Ledger.com/start. This page provides the official onboarding flow and the Ledger Live app download. Always type the address manually or use a trusted bookmark to avoid phishing.
Download Ledger Live from the official site and install it. Ledger Live manages apps and shows account balances, but your private keys remain on the device. When prompted, confirm the fingerprint and checksum on the site if shown.
The device will display a 24-word recovery phrase (some models use 12/24). Write these words exactly, in order, on the provided recovery sheet. DO NOT take a photo, do not store the phrase in cloud storage, and do not type it on a computer.
Use Ledger Live to install blockchain-specific apps (Bitcoin, Ethereum, etc.) onto your device. Then add accounts within Ledger Live; addresses generated when you receive funds should be verified on the device screen before accepting incoming transactions.
Always verify transaction details on the device screen (destination address, amount, fees). Malware on a computer can alter what you see in the app — the device display is the single source of truth.
Try a different USB cable and port. If it still fails, contact Ledger support with device serial and purchase details.
If you lose the recovery phrase and still have the device, immediately create a new wallet, transfer funds to the new wallet, and securely store the new phrase. If both device and phrase are gone, funds cannot be recovered.
If you receive emails, chat messages, or pop-ups requesting your recovery phrase, PIN, or to install random packages, treat them as phishing. Ledger support will never request your recovery phrase or PIN.
A passphrase adds an additional secret to your recovery phrase, creating hidden wallets. This is powerful but risky — if you forget the passphrase the funds are lost. Treat it like a password and store it securely.
Use geographically separated backups (home safe + bank safe deposit) to protect against local disasters. For very large holdings, consider professional custodial or multisig solutions in addition to hardware wallets.
Hardware wallets like Ledger offer industry-leading safety for self-custody when used correctly. The most common failures are human: lost recovery phrases, falling for phishing, or buying tampered devices. Follow the steps above and keep security-first habits.