The official guide to safely initializing and securing your Ledger hardware wallet
Your Ledger device is your key to personal financial sovereignty. Whether you're storing Bitcoin, Ethereum, NFTs, or stablecoins, the first step is critical. Starting at Ledger.com/start ensures your setup is secure, official, and resistant to tampering.
Pro tip: Always navigate directly to Ledger.com/start. Never trust third-party links from ads, emails, or messages.
Before connecting anything, gather the essentials:
Do not proceed if your device packaging appears tampered with or opened.
Open your browser and go to https://www.ledger.com/start. This is the official Ledger onboarding portal. You’ll be directed to download Ledger Live — the software required to manage your device and assets.
Bookmark the page. Ledger will never send you unsolicited setup instructions or downloads.
Ledger Live is the companion application for your hardware wallet. Download the latest version for Windows, macOS, or Linux. Do not use software from any other source.
Use the USB cable to connect your Ledger device. For Nano X, you can also use Bluetooth on mobile (Android/iOS). Ledger Live will detect the device and begin the initialization process.
For most users, choosing “Set up as new device” is recommended unless you already have a Ledger seed phrase.
Your device will generate a unique 24-word recovery phrase. This phrase is your backup. Write it down carefully — word for word — on the provided recovery sheet.
DO NOT take a photo, type, email, or digitally store your recovery phrase.
This phrase is the only way to recover your assets. If lost or stolen, Ledger cannot help you recover it.
Your device will now ask you to confirm some or all of the 24 words, in order. This ensures you’ve written them correctly and in the correct sequence.
Take your time. Rushing this step can result in irreversible loss of funds.
Next, you'll be asked to choose a 4–8 digit PIN. This protects your device from unauthorized access. Avoid common PINs (e.g., 1234, 0000).
If someone gets your device but doesn’t know the PIN, they cannot access your funds — unless they also have your recovery phrase.
After completing setup, Ledger Live will take you to the dashboard. Here, you can install apps for different cryptocurrencies and manage your accounts.
Click “Receive,” select a crypto (e.g., Bitcoin), and copy the address shown. Your Ledger device will display the address as well.
Always verify the receiving address on the device screen — not just on your computer.
Before transferring large amounts, send a small test transaction (e.g., $5–$10). This ensures that everything is working correctly and that your setup is safe.
Wait for the transaction to confirm, then proceed with larger amounts only when confident.
You can enable an optional 25th word (passphrase) for advanced protection. This adds a new layer of security but can be risky if forgotten.