Official, security-first guide to set up your Ledger hardware wallet — installs, backups, firmware, and best practices to keep your crypto safe.
Welcome to the official Ledger start guide. Follow these essential steps to securely set up your Ledger device, protect your recovery phrase, and start managing your crypto assets with confidence.
⚠️ Never share your recovery phrase with anyone. Ledger will never ask for it.
Before you begin, choose a quiet space with your device, a pen, and the provided recovery card. Avoid digital storage of your recovery phrase at all costs.
When your Ledger arrives, inspect the packaging for any signs of tampering. Ledger provides authenticity guidance - if anything looks suspicious, contact official support immediately.
Only download Ledger Live and companion apps from the official domain. Ledger provides installers for Windows, macOS, Linux, and mobile apps via official app stores.
🔒 Security Tip: Advanced users can verify checksums and signatures for added assurance.
Ledger Live is your central hub for managing your device. Install it from the official source, launch the app, and follow the "Get started" flow to set up your new device or restore an existing one.
The app will guide you through firmware installation - all Ledger firmware is cryptographically signed and verified during updates.
⚠️ Important: Ledger Live will never ask you to type your recovery phrase on your computer.
When creating a new wallet, your device will generate a recovery phrase (typically 24 words). Write these words down exactly as shown using the included recovery card or a certified metal backup.
Never photograph, screenshot, or store your recovery phrase digitally. Consider the optional passphrase feature for advanced security, but remember that losing it can make funds unrecoverable.
💡 Tip: Store multiple secure copies in different locations to avoid single points of failure.
Ledger regularly publishes firmware updates that enhance security and add features. Ledger Live will notify you when updates are available and guide you through the installation process.
Only accept firmware updates through official Ledger Live prompts. If you encounter issues during installation, contact support rather than seeking workarounds from untrusted sources.
📰 Stay Informed: Check Ledger's release notes and security advisories regularly.
After setup, you can add accounts for supported blockchains in Ledger Live. Always test new integrations or dApps with small amounts first to verify address correctness and expected behavior.
Ledger Live includes vetted partner integrations for swaps, staking, and DeFi. Prefer these official partners when interacting outside Ledger Live.
🌐 Web3 Tip: For browser dApps, use official integrations and always confirm transactions on your device screen.
Always download from the official Ledger website: ledger.com/ledger-live/download. Verify checksums for extra assurance.
Write it on the provided recovery card or use a certified metal backup. Store it offline in a secure location. Never store digitally.
If you have your recovery phrase, you can restore your funds to a new device. Without both device and phrase, funds may be irrecoverable.
Yes. Use Ledger Live integrations or vetted partner wallets, and always confirm signatures on your device. Test with small amounts first.
Ledger Academy offers comprehensive educational resources on crypto security, blockchain technology, and best practices.
Install updates when prompted by Ledger Live. These often contain important security enhancements and new features.
These official resources will help you during setup and beyond. Always verify domain authenticity before downloading or entering sensitive information.