Official Site® | Ledger.com/Start®
Get started with Ledger — protect your crypto
This official guide walks you through unboxing, initializing, and securely operating your Ledger hardware wallet. Follow these steps to keep your private keys offline, protect your recovery phrase, and safely manage accounts with Ledger Live.
Quick start — the essentials
Purchase only from ledger.com or authorized resellers to avoid tampered units. Verify packaging and tamper-evident seals before use.
Download Ledger Live (desktop or mobile) from the official site. Ledger Live manages apps, accounts, firmware, and transaction flows for your device.
Follow on-device prompts to generate your recovery phrase. Write the words in order on the provided recovery sheet — never store them digitally.
Use Ledger Live to install blockchain-specific apps (Bitcoin, Ethereum, etc.) to enable account management and signing for each chain.
Add accounts in Ledger Live to view balances, send and receive assets, and perform coin-specific operations. Verify addresses on-device before receiving funds.
Unboxing & preparation
Confirm the box contents: Ledger device, USB cable, recovery sheet, and quick start materials. Check for tamper-evident seals and verify serial numbers during initial connection in Ledger Live. If something seems wrong, contact support and do not use the device for holding funds.
Connecting your device
Plug your Ledger into a USB port or connect via mobile (model permitting). Open Ledger Live and choose "Initialize as new device". The app will guide you through firmware checks and the initialization workflow.
Seed phrase & PIN
During initialization the device will display a recovery phrase. This is the only backup of your funds — write it down precisely and store it offline. Set a strong PIN on the device to protect it from unauthorized physical access. If you lose the PIN, a device reset and seed restore are required.
On-device verification
Always verify receiving addresses and transaction details on the device screen. Ledger displays the address and amount for you to confirm — this prevents a compromised host from altering transaction data.
Ledger Live: accounts & transactions
Ledger Live installs and manages blockchain apps on your device. Install only the apps you need to conserve device space. To send funds, construct the transaction in Ledger Live and approve it on-device; the device will show critical details for human verification.
Receiving funds securely
Generate a receiving address in Ledger Live and confirm it on your device. Only use the address displayed and verified on the device screen to avoid address substitution attacks.
Advanced features
Passphrase protection
An optional passphrase acts as an additional layer to derive hidden wallets from your seed. Use passphrases carefully — losing them results in permanent loss of the funds tied to that passphrase.
Multisig & enterprise workflows
Ledger devices integrate with multisig wallet setups and enterprise treasury management tools to reduce single points of failure and support audited signing policies.
Firmware & updates
Keep your device firmware and Ledger Live client up to date. Ledger provides signed firmware releases; always follow the official update process in Ledger Live. Avoid third-party firmware or modified software.
Best practices for custody
- Buy only from ledger.com or authorized resellers.
- Keep your recovery phrase offline and store copies in separate secure locations.
- Test small transactions before moving large sums.
- Consider multisig or Shamir approaches for high-value holdings.
- Educate team members or family on recovery procedures to avoid single points of failure.
FAQ
What if I lose my recovery phrase?
If you lose your recovery phrase and the device, funds cannot be recovered. Maintain secure, redundant backups and consider advanced recovery methods for critical holdings.
Is Bluetooth safe?
Some Ledger devices support Bluetooth for mobile convenience. Use it only when necessary and prefer wired connections for the highest security posture.
Can I use Ledger on any computer?
Yes. Ledger works with most modern operating systems. The device ensures signing happens on-device; however, avoid using compromised hosts when possible.