Complete beginner's guide to setting up and securing your cryptocurrency with the world's most trusted hardware wallet solution.
Follow these simple steps to initialize your Ledger device and start protecting your cryptocurrency
Carefully unbox your Ledger device. You should find the hardware wallet, USB cable, recovery phrase sheets, and getting started guide. Connect your device to your computer using the provided USB cable.
Visit the official Ledger website and download Ledger Live, the companion app for your device. Available for Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS, and Android. Always verify you're on the legitimate ledger.com domain.
Power on your Ledger device. Select "Set up as new device" on the screen. You'll be prompted to choose a PIN code. Select a PIN between 4-8 digits that you'll remember but others can't guess.
Navigation Tips:
Your device will display 24 words one at a time. Write each word in order on the recovery sheet provided. This is your backup - without it, you cannot recover your funds if you lose your device.
CRITICAL SECURITY WARNINGS:
Your device will ask you to confirm your recovery phrase by displaying words and asking you to verify them. This ensures you wrote them down correctly. Use the buttons to select the correct words.
Open Ledger Live and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the setup. The app will verify your device is genuine, help you install apps for different cryptocurrencies, and guide you through creating your first account.
Follow these critical security steps to keep your cryptocurrency safe
Write down your 24-word recovery phrase on the provided recovery sheet
Never take a photo or digital copy of your recovery phrase
Store your recovery phrase in a secure, offline location
Never share your recovery phrase with anyone, including Ledger support
Verify the device is genuine using Ledger's authenticity check
Only download Ledger Live from the official Ledger.com website
Enable a strong PIN code (8 digits recommended)
Consider using a passphrase (25th word) for additional security
Keep your device secure with the latest firmware updates
Launch Ledger Live on your computer and connect your Ledger device using the USB cable.
Navigate to "Manager" in the left sidebar. If a firmware update is available, you'll see a blue notification banner.
Click "Install update" and follow the on-screen instructions. Enter your PIN when prompted on the device.
The update process takes 5-10 minutes. Don't disconnect your device during this time. A progress bar will show the status.
After the update, you may need to reinstall your cryptocurrency apps through the Manager. Your accounts and funds remain safe.
Important Note
Always ensure your recovery phrase is safely stored before updating firmware. While updates are safe, having your backup is essential.
Understanding your Ledger device's physical interface
Left Button
Navigate left or decrease value
Right Button
Navigate right or increase value
Both Buttons
Confirm selection or enter/exit
Ledger Nano Device Layout
Main Menu
Access installed apps and settings
App Icons
Scroll through cryptocurrency apps
Settings
Adjust device preferences and security
Common Actions:
Common questions about Ledger hardware wallets
Everything you need to safely use your Ledger hardware wallet
Official getting started guide from Ledger
Comprehensive help articles and troubleshooting
Download the official companion app
Learn about crypto security and best practices
View all supported cryptocurrencies
Stay informed about phishing attempts
Ledger will never ask for your 24-word recovery phrase. Be cautious of phishing emails, fake websites, and unsolicited messages.
Always verify you're on the official ledger.com domain and only download Ledger Live from official sources.