Ledger — Start Here: Securely Own Your Crypto
This page walks you through the essential steps to set up a Ledger hardware wallet, protect your recovery phrase, connect to apps, and adopt straightforward best practices for long-term security.
Why use a hardware wallet?
When you hold cryptocurrencies, ownership is a private key — a string of data that proves you control the funds on the blockchain. Keeping private keys online (in exchanges, hot wallets, or cloud services) exposes them to theft. A hardware wallet stores your private keys offline so transactions can be signed securely even when your computer or phone is infected.
What you’ll need
- Ledger hardware device (e.g., Ledger Nano S Plus or Ledger Nano X).
- A compatible computer or mobile device with USB (or Bluetooth for supported devices).
- Internet access to download Ledger Live (the official Ledger companion app) and firmware updates.
- A quiet, private place to write down your recovery phrase on the supplied card — never store it digitally.
Quick setup guide — 7 simple steps
Open the sealed box and check the packaging — Ledger ships in tamper-proof packaging. Confirm you received the official recovery sheets and the device. If anything looks suspicious, contact support instead of proceeding.
Connect your Ledger to your computer or phone. Follow the on-device prompts to set a PIN. Choose a PIN you can remember but that isn’t easily guessable. The PIN prevents immediate access if the device is lost or stolen.
The device will generate a recovery phrase (usually 24 words). Write these words in order on the supplied recovery card. Do it offline and never photograph, email, or type them into any device or cloud note. Your recovery phrase is the only backup of your funds.
Download the official Ledger Live application from ledger.com. Ledger Live lets you add accounts, install app packages on your device, and check balances. Always verify the URL and keep Ledger Live up to date.
In Ledger Live, add the blockchains you use (Bitcoin, Ethereum, etc.). The device itself runs lightweight apps for each blockchain; install only what you need to minimize surface area.
To receive funds, generate a receiving address on your Ledger device and confirm it on-screen before sharing it. Confirming addresses on-device prevents malware on your computer from changing addresses.
Keep firmware current, avoid unofficial recovery tools, and never share your recovery phrase. Consider using passphrase features for an extra layer of defense if you are comfortable with advanced management.
Best practices for long-term security
Use a dedicated, clean computer for large transfers; minimize the apps installed on your Ledger; keep multiple, geographically separated backups of your recovery phrase written on paper (or metal backups designed for seed phrases). Never enter your recovery phrase into a website or share it with anyone claiming to be support.
If you need to transfer large amounts, consider doing a small test transaction first. Maintain detailed records of which recovery phrases correspond to which devices, and use wallet architecture strategies such as multisignature (multisig) for institutional-level security.
Troubleshooting — common questions
My device is lost or stolen — what do I do? If you have your recovery phrase, acquire a replacement device and restore your wallet using the phrase. If you didn’t record the phrase, funds may be unrecoverable.
Can I recover if I forget my PIN? You can reset the device and restore using your recovery phrase; a reset deletes data on the device but your funds remain recoverable with the phrase.
Are there risks with Bluetooth models? Bluetooth-enabled devices provide convenience for mobile use. Ledger’s Bluetooth implementation is designed to protect the private keys — still, the safest option is a wired connection when possible.
Learn more & resources
Ledger provides official guides, video tutorials, and firmware release notes. If you prefer hands-on help, follow step-by-step walkthroughs or reach out to official support channels listed on ledger.com. Be wary of impersonators — Ledger’s support never asks for your recovery phrase.
Download Ledger Live