Ledger.com/Start® — Getting started with your Ledger™ hardware wallet

What you’ll need

• A Ledger™ hardware device (Ledger Nano S Plus, Ledger Nano X, or another supported model).
• A computer or mobile device with an up-to-date browser or Bluetooth (for Nano X mobile pairing).
• A USB cable or adapter (supplied with most devices).
• An internet connection to download Ledger Live from the official site.

Step 1 — Unboxing and verifying your device

Before connecting your Ledger, inspect the packaging. Ledger packages include a tamper-evident seal and an instruction leaflet. If anything looks damaged or tampered with, contact Ledger support and do not use the device.

1. Unbox and confirm the model listed on the box matches the device.
2. Check for tampering: broken seals, damaged packaging, or missing items.
3. Locate the included USB cable and recovery seed card.

Step 2 — Install Ledger Live

Ledger Live is the official companion application for managing accounts, sending and receiving crypto, and installing apps on your Ledger device.

1. Go to https://ledger.com/start and choose your device model.
2. Download Ledger Live for your operating system (Windows, macOS, Linux) or get the mobile app from the Apple App Store / Google Play Store.
3. Install the application and open it. Follow on-screen prompts to continue setup.

Security reminder: Verify the installer’s signature if prompted, and keep your operating system up-to-date.

Step 3 — Initialize your Ledger device

When you first power your Ledger, you can choose to create a new device or restore from an existing recovery phrase.

1. Power the device by connecting it to your computer or mobile device.
2. Follow the on-device instructions to choose a PIN code. Choose a PIN you can remember but that is not easily guessable.
3. Write down the 24-word recovery phrase exactly as shown — in the correct order — on the recovery card supplied. Do not store it digitally.
4. Confirm the recovery phrase on the device when prompted to ensure accuracy.

Critical: Your recovery phrase is the only backup of your crypto. If lost, you will lose access to your funds. Never share it.

Step 4 — Add accounts in Ledger Live

With your Ledger device initialized, connect it to Ledger Live to add cryptocurrency accounts.

1. Open Ledger Live and choose “Get Started” then “Set up a device”.
2. Follow the on-screen flow and select "Add account" under the "Accounts" tab.
3. Pick the cryptocurrency (Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, etc.) and follow the instructions to install the corresponding app on your device. The Ledger device will request approval for app installation; use the buttons on the device to accept.
4. Ledger Live will then synchronize the account addresses from your device — you can now receive and view balances.

Step 5 — Receive and send crypto

Receiving crypto is the safest way to test a new setup. Always verify addresses on your Ledger device screen before sending funds.

1. In Ledger Live, go to the account and click Receive. Choose the address and click "Continue".
2. On the Ledger device, confirm the displayed address matches the one shown in Ledger Live. If they match, approve to reveal the full address.
3. Use that address in your exchange or wallet to send a small test amount first.
4. To send, select Send, enter the amount, confirm transaction details in Ledger Live, and approve the transaction on your device.

Best practice: Always send a small test amount first to confirm addresses and fees.

Security best practices

• Never share your 24-word recovery phrase. Ledger or any legitimate service will never ask for it.
• Keep the recovery phrase offline, in a secure physical location (consider a fireproof safe).
• Use a passphrase (optional advanced feature) only if you understand how derivation paths and passphrases affect wallet recovery.
• Regularly update Ledger Live and the device firmware when official updates are available in Ledger Live.
• Avoid storing recovery words digitally (photos, cloud drives, text files).

Troubleshooting

If Ledger Live doesn’t detect your device:

1. Try a different USB cable or port. Some cables are power-only and won’t transmit data.
2. Ensure the device is unlocked (enter your PIN) before connecting.
3. On mobile, check Bluetooth is enabled (for Nano X) and that pairing is allowed in the app.
4. Restart Ledger Live and your computer or mobile device. Reinstall Ledger Live if issues persist.

If you lost your recovery phrase and the device PIN, recovery is not possible. This is by design — only someone with the recovery phrase (or corresponding passphrase) can restore funds.

Frequently asked questions

Can Ledger be hacked?

Ledger devices use secure elements and cryptographic isolation to protect private keys. Most attacks target users (phishing, social engineering). Follow security best practices to minimize risk.

What happens if my Ledger is lost or damaged?

If you have your recovery phrase, you can restore your wallets on a new Ledger device or any compatible recovery tool that supports BIP39/BIP44 derivation. If you don’t have the recovery phrase, funds are irretrievable.

Can I use Ledger with third-party wallets?

Yes. Ledger works with many third-party wallets and dApps while keeping private keys on the device. Always verify compatibility and be cautious when granting permissions to dApps.