Welcome to Ledger Start — your first step toward securing, managing, and confidently growing your digital assets. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know from unboxing to advanced tips. Whether you’re brand new to hardware wallets or transitioning from another solution, we’ve got you covered.
Digital assets like Bitcoin, Ethereum, and thousands of altcoins offer tremendous opportunity—but with that comes responsibility. The risk of hacks, phishing, and lost private keys is real.
Security-first design : Ledger devices store private keys in a secure element chip, keeping them isolated from your computer or smartphone’s operating system.
Transparency and audits : Ledger’s software and firmware undergo third-party audits to maintain confidence.
Ecosystem and compatibility : Ledger supports thousands of cryptocurrencies and integrates with many wallets, DeFi platforms, and apps.
Longevity & updates : Ledger regularly issues firmware and software updates to support new coins and protect against threats.
Now, let’s get started.
Before you begin setup, make sure you have:
Ledger hardware device (e.g. Ledger Nano S, Ledger Nano X, or future model).
USB cable or Bluetooth (depending on your device).
Computer or smartphone with internet access.
Ledger Live software (desktop or mobile).
Pen & paper (for writing down your recovery phrase).
Secure, private space — do not record your recovery phrase digitally.
As soon as you receive your Ledger device:
Check that the packaging seal is intact. Ledger uses tamper-evident packaging.
Inside, you should find the device, a USB cable, recovery phrase cards, stickers, and instructions.
Make sure the box appears clean and untouched. If anything looks suspicious (scratches, misaligned seals), contact Ledger support immediately.
Ledger Live is your companion application for managing crypto assets, installing apps, and monitoring balances.
Navigate only to ledger.com and download Ledger Live from the official site.
Choose the version for your operating system (Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, or iOS).
Install the app and ensure it’s from the official Ledger source — never trust third‑party repositories or links from unverified sources.
Launch Ledger Live and agree to any prompt for permissions or updates.
When you power up your Ledger device for the first time:
Choose “Set up as new device.”
Select a PIN code (usually 4 to 8 digits). This PIN protects access to your device—even if someone physically steals it.
Confirm the PIN.
The device will prompt you to write down a recovery phrase of 24 words.
This moment is critical—this phrase is your only backup:
Use the supplied recovery cards (never write on your phone, computer, or cloud).
Write carefully, legibly, word by word.
Each word must be exact—spelling matters.
Do not take photos or screenshots.
Never store this phrase digitally.
After writing, store copies in separate, secure locations (e.g. safe, safety deposit box) but don’t keep all copies together.
To ensure you recorded it correctly, the device will prompt you to confirm several words in order:
Select the words as prompted.
Complete all confirmation steps.
If any word is incorrect, you’ll be prompted to repeat the process.
Once the device is set up:
Open Ledger Live and connect your device via USB (or Bluetooth, if supported).
Go to the “Accounts” section and click “Add account.”
Choose which blockchain(s) you want (e.g. Bitcoin, Ethereum, etc.).
Ledger Live will fetch and display your account addresses and balances.
Confirm the address shown in the app against the address displayed on your Ledger device—only proceed once they match exactly.
Ledger supports many blockchains, but you’ll need to install individual apps to interact with them:
Go to the “Manager” tab inside Ledger Live.
Browse available apps (each app uses space, so consider your device storage).
Install the apps you need (e.g. Bitcoin, Ethereum, Polygon, Solana, etc.).
Once installed, you’ll be able to access accounts, sign transactions, and send/receive for those assets.
To receive funds:
Open the corresponding account in Ledger Live.
Click “Receive.”
Ledger Live generates an address. Your Ledger device will display the same address.
Confirm the address on your device.
Copy the address (e.g. via QR code or copy‑paste).
Send funds from your external wallet or exchange to that address.
Wait for blockchain confirmations (network-dependent).
Always verify addresses carefully — never trust a pasted or modified address if it doesn't match what your hardware displays.
To send funds:
Go to the relevant account in Ledger Live.
Click “Send.”
Paste or scan the recipient address.
Enter the amount.
Review fees, network, and address.
Confirm on your Ledger device (the device shows the details, which you must manually verify).
Once confirmed, the transaction is signed and broadcast.
Your private keys never leave the device. The host computer only facilitates the transaction broadcast.
Security is a journey, not a one‑time task. Here are best practices:
Keep firmware up to date : Ledger will occasionally issue firmware updates. Confirm updates inside Ledger Live.
Only download Ledger Live from the official site : ledger.com → Download section.
Beware phishing : Ledger will never ask you to input your recovery phrase. Never enter it into any app or website.
Check URLs : Always confirm you’re on official domains.
Use a strong PIN and change it if you believe it’s compromised.
Split your backups : If you store multiple recovery phrase copies, store them separately.
Operate offline when possible : Use your hardware wallet in as air-gapped a fashion as you can.
Once you’re comfortable, you can explore:
DeFi and dApps : Many platforms support connection with Ledger (e.g. via MetaMask, WalletConnect).
NFTs and collectibles : Ledger supports token standards like ERC‑721; manage them via compatible interfaces.
Multi-account strategies : Use separate accounts or devices for different assets or risk levels.
Passphrases / 25th word feature : Ledger supports adding an optional passphrase to your 24‑word root phrase for added security. Be careful—losing the passphrase means losing access.
Gas fee management : Learn to configure transaction fees depending on network congestion.
Recovery in case of damage or loss : As long as you have your 24 words (and passphrase if used), you can restore access on a new Ledger or compatible wallet.
Watch-only / third-party integrations : You can import your public address into third-party wallets to monitor balances without needing your private keys there.
Below are some common issues and how to handle them:
Use a different USB cable/port.
Ensure the device is unlocked (PIN entered).
Restart Ledger Live.
Update to the latest firmware and Ledger Live version.
The device should instruct you to repeat the confirmation step.
If you consistently fail, reset and start anew (if no funds are yet stored).
If you still have the device and haven’t wiped it, back up the phrase again by going to your device’s settings (if supported).
If the phrase is unrecoverable and funds exist, you may lose access permanently—this is why backups are essential.
Don’t panic. Retry the update via Ledger Live.
Ensure stable connection and no interruptions.
If issues persist, contact Ledger Support via official channels.
Yes. The private keys stay on your device. You can install Ledger Live on as many computers as needed and connect your device.
Ledger routinely adds support for new assets. Use the Manager in Ledger Live to explore and install new apps as they appear.
Hardware wallet : A physical device that stores private keys offline.
Private key : A cryptographic secret that authorizes transactions. Must never be shared.
Public address / public key : The address you share to receive funds.
Recovery phrase (seed phrase) : A human-readable list of words encoding your private key—used to restore your wallet.
Firmware : The internal software on the Ledger device.
Ledger Live : The official companion application for account management, updates, and operations.
App (on Ledger device) : Modules you install to support different blockchains.
Passphrase : Optional extra word to increase security.
Confirmation : When a blockchain transaction is verified by network validators.
Congratulations! You’re now ready to securely manage your digital assets using Ledger. As you progress:
Start small — send a small test transaction before moving significant funds.
Continue educating yourself — blockchain, security, and DeFi evolve fast.
Stay alert — phishing, scams, and fraud are widespread—always validate sources.
Backup your phrase — ensure it’s safe, redundant, and kept offline.
If you ever feel uncertain, refer back to this guide or Ledger’s official support documentation. Safe journeys ahead, and welcome to the Ledger ecosystem.