Ledger.com/Start® | Starting Up Your Device® - Ledger®®

Welcome to Your Financial Freedom

Welcome, and congratulations on taking the most important step toward securing your digital assets. You have just unboxed your new Ledger hardware wallet, a device that represents the gold standard in crypto security. By choosing Ledger, you are choosing true ownership and peace of mind. This guide is designed to walk you through every step of the setup process, from powering on your device for the first time to making your first secure transaction.

Setting up your device is a critical process, and we encourage you to take your time. This isn't a race. The steps you take today are the foundation of your long-term security. This guide will provide detailed, clear, and easy-to-follow instructions. We will cover the installation of the Ledger Live application, the generation of your unique PIN, and the most crucial part of all: backing up your 24-word recovery phrase. Please read every instruction carefully. Your journey to uncompromising self-custody starts now.

Before You Begin: Your Setup Checklist

A smooth setup requires a little preparation. Please gather the following items and set aside about 30 minutes of dedicated, uninterrupted time in a private and safe location.

  • Your Ledger Device: Ensure your Ledger Nano (X, S Plus, etc.) is in hand, along with the included USB cable.
  • Computer or Smartphone: You will need a modern computer (Windows 10/11, macOS, or Linux) or a compatible smartphone (iOS or Android) to install the Ledger Live application.
  • Recovery Sheets: Your Ledger device box includes blank "Recovery Sheet" cards. Have at least one of these ready.
  • A Reliable Pen: Use a pen with permanent, non-smudging ink (like a ballpoint pen) to write on your recovery sheet. Avoid pencils or erasable ink.
  • Crucial Security Reminder: Ledger or any of its representatives will NEVER ask you for your 24-word recovery phrase. Anyone who does is a scammer. Your recovery phrase must NEVER be typed, photographed, or entered into any website or application, except for the physical device itself during a recovery.

Your Step-by-Step Setup Guide

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Step 1: Download and Install Ledger Live

The Ledger Live application is your all-in-one portal to manage your crypto, check your balance, and initiate transactions. It is essential that you download it only from the official source. Go directly to ledger.com/ledger-live. Avoid search engine links or app store search results that could be malicious. Scammers often create fake apps. Once downloaded, install the application on your computer or smartphone and open it. The app will guide you through the initial setup, starting with selecting your device.

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Step 2: Power On and Initialize Your Device

Connect your Ledger device to your computer using the provided USB cable. The device will power on and display a "Welcome" message. Use the two buttons on the device to navigate the on-screen instructions. You will be asked if you want to set up a new device or restore from a recovery phrase. Select "Set up as new device". The device will then walk you through the next steps, which begin with choosing your PIN.

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Step 3: Choose Your PIN Code

Your PIN code is your first line of defense. It protects your device from unauthorized physical access. You will enter this PIN every time you power on your device or connect to Ledger Live.

  • Your device will ask you to choose a PIN (4 to 8 digits). We strongly recommend using all 8 digits for maximum security.
  • Use the buttons to select each digit, and press both buttons simultaneously to confirm the digit or move to the next.
  • Do not use a simple PIN like "12345678" or your date of birth.
  • After setting your PIN, the device will ask you to re-enter it for confirmation. Make sure you remember it.
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Step 4 (Most Critical): Write Down Your 24-Word Recovery Phrase

This is, without question, the most important moment of your setup. Your device will now generate a unique, 24-word "Recovery Phrase" (also known as a seed phrase). This phrase is the master key to all your cryptocurrency accounts. If you lose your device, this phrase is the *only* way to restore access to your funds.

READ THIS CAREFULLY:

  • Your device will display each of the 24 words one by one.
  • Take your blank Recovery Sheet and carefully write down each word in the correct, numbered order. Double-check the spelling.
  • NEVER EVER take a photo of your recovery phrase.
  • NEVER EVER type it into a computer, smartphone, password manager, or text file.
  • NEVER EVER store it on a cloud service (iCloud, Google Drive, Dropbox).
  • NEVER EVER share it with anyone, not even "Ledger Support".

Any digital copy of your phrase is a target for hackers. A physical, offline copy is the only secure method.

After you have written down all 24 words, your device will ask you to confirm them. It may ask you to re-enter all 24 words or select specific words (e.g., "What is word #7?"). This is to ensure you have written them down correctly. Once you pass this confirmation, your device is initialized and secure.

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Step 5: Complete the Genuine Check in Ledger Live

Now, return to the Ledger Live application. Follow the on-screen prompts to connect your device. Ledger Live will perform a "Genuine Check". This is a cryptographic process that verifies your Ledger device is an authentic, official product and has not been tampered with. You will need to confirm a prompt on your device's screen. Once this check is complete, you are fully connected to the Ledger ecosystem.

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Step 6: Install Apps and Add Accounts

Your setup is complete! Your device is now a secure vault. To manage specific cryptocurrencies (like Bitcoin or Ethereum), you must first install their corresponding "app" onto your device.

  • In Ledger Live, go to the "Manager" tab.
  • Find the app for the crypto you want to manage (e.g., "Bitcoin") and click "Install". You will need to confirm this on your device.
  • After the app is installed, go to the "Accounts" tab and click "Add account". Select the crypto, and Ledger Live will sync with your device to create your new, secure account.
  • You are now ready to receive funds to this account.

What's Next? Secure Your Backup!

Your device is set up, but your security journey has one final, crucial task. Take your physical Recovery Sheet (or sheets, if you made a backup) and store it in a secure, private, and safe location. Think of a place that is resistant to fire, flood, and theft. A high-quality home safe, a bank's safe deposit box (though be aware of access limitations), or a discreet, well-hidden location are common choices.

Explore the Ledger Live application. Learn how to send and receive transactions (we recommend starting with a very small test transaction). Discover the "Discover" tab for access to DeFi apps and services, all secured through your Ledger device. Remember: every outgoing transaction will always require you to physically confirm it on your device's screen. This is the power of Ledger security.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What happens if I lose my Ledger device or it gets stolen?

This is a common concern, and the answer highlights the security of hardware wallets. If you lose your device, your crypto is perfectly safe, *as long as you have your 24-word recovery phrase*. The thief cannot access your funds without your 8-digit PIN. After 3 incorrect PIN entries, the device will automatically wipe itself clean, resetting to factory settings. This protects your data. To regain access to your funds, you simply need to purchase a new Ledger (or any other compatible hardware wallet), select the "Restore from recovery phrase" option during setup, and carefully enter your 24 words. Your new device will be an exact clone of your old one, and all your accounts and funds will be restored.

2. What if I forget my PIN code?

Do not panic. If you forget your PIN, you can try to guess it. However, after three consecutive wrong guesses, the device will trigger its security protocol and factory reset itself. This is a deliberate feature to protect your assets from a brute-force attack. Your device will be wiped clean. At this point, your *only* option is to perform a full restoration using your 24-word recovery phrase. You will set up the device as if it were new, but choose "Restore from recovery phrase" and input your 24 words when prompted. You will then be able to set a new PIN code and all your accounts will be restored. This reiterates why the 24-word phrase is infinitely more important than the device or the PIN.

3. Why do I need to write down 24 words? Can I just take a picture or save it in my password manager?

ABSOLUTELY NOT. We cannot stress this enough. Your 24-word recovery phrase is the literal key to your funds. Anyone who possesses it has total and irreversible control of your crypto.

Storing this phrase digitally in *any* form (a photo in your camera roll, a text file on your computer, an entry in a password manager, an email to yourself) exposes it to the entire digital world of hackers, malware, and data breaches. Your computer can be hacked, your phone can be compromised, and your cloud accounts can be breached. A physical, "cold" (offline) copy is the only way to ensure it is not vulnerable to remote digital theft. The entire purpose of a hardware wallet is to keep this key offline. Do not compromise this security by putting it back online.

4. Is the Ledger Live app safe? Can't it be hacked?

The Ledger Live app is designed with a "zero trust" security model in mind. While the app itself is secure (especially when downloaded from the official source), you should think of it as an *untrusted* interface—like a web browser. The real security magic happens inside your physical Ledger device.

Even if your computer or the Ledger Live app *were* compromised with malware, a hacker still could not steal your funds. This is because your private keys (derived from your 24 words) never leave your Ledger device. To send a transaction, you must physically connect your device and press its buttons to confirm the transaction details (amount and address) on its trusted, tamper-proof screen. A hacker can't "press the buttons" from remotely. This "two-factor" physical confirmation is what makes the system so robust.

5. Can I use my Ledger device with my smartphone?

Yes! This is one of the best features of the Ledger ecosystem.

  • Ledger Nano X: This device is designed for mobility and connects wirelessly to your iOS or Android smartphone via a secure Bluetooth connection. You can manage your entire portfolio, send, and receive assets on the go using the Ledger Live mobile app.
  • Ledger Nano S Plus: This device can be used with Android smartphones (with Android 8.1 or later) using an "OTG" (On-The-Go) cable. You will need to purchase this cable separately if one was not included. (It is not compatible with iPhones).

In all cases, even when using a smartphone, all transactions must be physically verified and confirmed on your Ledger device's screen, ensuring your security is never compromised.