Ledger.com/start — Official Getting Started Guide

Introduction

Ledger™ hardware wallets are designed to keep your cryptocurrency private keys isolated from the internet — the keys never leave the device. This guide walks you through each step to get your Ledger device ready for secure custody: physical inspection, Ledger Live installation, firmware & authenticity checks, seed generation, PIN and passphrase setup, safe backup strategies, and everyday operational security.

Before you begin — buy official and understand threats

Always purchase Ledger devices from ledger.com or authorized resellers. Avoid second-hand units. Think about your personal threat model: are you most threatened by online attackers, casual physical theft, targeted coercion, or legal/estate risks? Your threat model determines how many layers of security you should implement (passphrase, multisig, geographically separated backups, legal directives).

Unboxing & physical inspection

1 — Inspect the box: Check seals and packaging. Ledger boxes use packaging elements designed to be tamper-evident. If the box looks opened, altered or suspicious, contact support before using the device.

2 — Contents: You should find the Ledger device (e.g., Ledger Nano S Plus or Ledger Nano X), a USB cable, recovery sheets, a keychain or strap, quick-start guide, and stickers. Layout may vary by model.

3 — Power on and check screen: Connect the device and power it on. The device should display a Ledger logo and an onboarding message. If the device displays unexpected prompts to install apps before connecting, pause and contact official support.

Prepare your computer or mobile device

Use a personal computer or mobile device with the latest OS updates. Install antivirus/anti-malware software if appropriate. For the most secure setup, avoid public or shared computers and networks when initializing wallets and writing down recovery phrases.

Install Ledger Live

Ledger Live is the official application to manage your Ledger device, install apps (Blockchain apps that run in the secure element), add accounts, and send/receive crypto. Download Ledger Live only from ledger.com/start. Choose the desktop or mobile version that matches your workflow. Install and open the app, and create a local password to protect the Ledger Live application if prompted.

Initialization — step-by-step

Step 1 — Connect device to Ledger Live: Open Ledger Live and choose the option to initialize a new device. The app will guide you through recognizing the device model and pairing it with the computer or phone.

Step 2 — Firmware & authenticity: Ledger Live will check the device firmware and prompt for an update if necessary. Always update firmware through Ledger Live. The device displays critical confirmations you must approve on the physical device to guard against tampered firmware or middleboxes.

Step 3 — Choose setup type: Select Set up as new device if this is your first Ledger. The device will then generate a recovery phrase (24 words by default for Ledger devices). This phrase is used to restore wallets on compatible devices if your Ledger is lost or damaged.

Step 4 — Write down your recovery phrase: Write each of the 24 words, in order, on the supplied recovery sheet. Use a pen and write legibly. Confirm the words on the device when instructed. Ledger will never ask you for your recovery phrase electronically — never enter it into a computer.

Step 5 — Set a PIN: Choose a strong PIN using the device buttons (or touchscreen on some models). The PIN prevents local access to the device; keep it secret and do not store it with your recovery phrase.

Step 6 — (Optional) Add a passphrase: Ledger supports an optional passphrase (sometimes called the 25th word). It creates an extra hidden wallet. This is powerful but risky — if you forget the passphrase, funds in that wallet are unrecoverable. Only enable a passphrase if you have a clear plan for storing it securely and testing recovery.

Security reminder: The recovery phrase is the ultimate backup. Never photograph it, store it digitally, or share it with anyone. Keep physical copies in secure locations only.

Installing apps and adding accounts

Ledger devices use small apps for each cryptocurrency (e.g., Bitcoin, Ethereum). In Ledger Live, open the Manager, install the necessary apps on your device, and then use the Accounts tab to add accounts. When sending or receiving, Ledger Live shows a preview but always confirm addresses and amounts on the device screen itself.

Backup strategies and secure storage

Ledger recommends safeguarding your recovery phrase physically. Options (ordered by security):

Steel backups: Metal plates or devices designed to survive fire, flood, and time.
Multiple paper copies: Keep copies in separate secure locations, such as a home safe and a bank deposit box.
Secret sharing: Use cryptographic splitting methods if you need redundancy without sharing the full seed in one place. Note: Ledger does not provide native Shamir support on all models; evaluate tools carefully.

Avoid cloud storage of your recovery phrase and never enter it on a computer or phone. Treat the seed as bearer paper — whoever has it, controls the funds.

Passphrase: advantages and caveats

A passphrase enhances privacy and deniability by creating additional wallets from the same seed. However, it adds complexity and risk — losing the passphrase means losing access to those funds. If you choose to use a passphrase, store it using a sturdy, offline method and verify your ability to restore from the seed + passphrase on a secondary device before moving large sums.

Operational security (OPSEC) — daily habits

Always verify transaction details directly on the Ledger device screen before approving.
Keep your computer and mobile OS updated and use reputable anti-malware tools where appropriate.
Limit sharing knowledge about your holdings and their storage locations.
Separate spending wallets from long-term storage; use smaller daily wallets for routine spending and a cold storage device for long-term holdings.

Advanced setups — multisig and institutional custody

For larger amounts, consider multisig setups which distribute signing authority across multiple devices or parties. Ledger devices are commonly used in multisig configurations with third-party wallets (e.g., Electrum, Sparrow). For institutional custody, follow professional security policies, audited multisig setups, and legal frameworks for key management and recovery.

Troubleshooting & common issues

Device not recognized: Try a different USB cable or port, ensure Ledger Live is up-to-date, and if using mobile, confirm OTG compatibility.

Firmware update problems: Do firmware updates via Ledger Live only. If an update fails, follow recovery instructions in Ledger Live or consult support.

Forgot PIN: A factory reset is required; you can then restore from your recovery phrase. Do not reset until you are certain you have the seed written down and secure.

Would not restore? Check spelling and order of words. If using a passphrase, ensure it is entered exactly. For persistent issues, contact Ledger support with device details (but never share your recovery phrase).

Testing and validation

After setup, perform small incoming and outgoing test transactions. Verify that Ledger Live and the device show matching addresses and that signed transactions are correct. Additionally, test a full restore using your recovery phrase on a secondary device (not the primary) to ensure backups are reliable.

Checklist — ready to use

Device purchased from official source and inspected
Ledger Live downloaded from ledger.com/start
Firmware updated and verified via Ledger Live
Recovery phrase written down on supplied sheet and copied to steel backup(s)
PIN set and kept separate from recovery phrase
Optional passphrase planned and stored securely if used
Small test transactions completed successfully

FAQs

Q: Can I restore my Ledger seed on other wallets?
A: Many wallets support BIP-39 seeds, but differences in derivation paths and passphrase support can affect compatibility. Verify compatibility before switching.

Q: Is a 24-word seed necessary?
A: Ledger typically uses 24-word seeds for its devices; they provide stronger entropy than 12 words. Keep the full seed secure.

Q: Should I pay for third-party recovery services?
A: Be cautious. Never share your recovery phrase with anyone. Prefer official support resources and local, verifiable professional services for estate planning.

Legal, tax & estate planning

Cryptocurrency holdings may be subject to taxes and inheritance laws. Keep records, consider how to pass access to heirs (sealed instructions, legal trusts, or professional custody solutions), and consult qualified legal/tax professionals to design a secure, compliant plan.

Support and resources

For firmware issues, suspected compromises, or device-specific guidance, use Ledger's official support resources at ledger.com/support. Avoid third-party repair or unofficial firmware sources. Keep official support links and recovery instructions in a secure, private place for future reference.