A friendly, step-by-step guide to help new Ledger users set up their hardware wallet, use Ledger Live, secure crypto holdings, and confidently explore on‑chain possibilities.
Quick start: Unbox your Ledger device, create or restore a wallet, install Ledger Live, back up your recovery phrase, and you're ready to manage crypto securely.
Ledger's Getting Started Hub is designed for clarity. It consolidates official setup steps, safety checks, downloads, and support into a single place so newcomers avoid scams and common mistakes.
Start by unboxing your Ledger device and checking the tamper-evident packaging. Only use the seed generation process that happens on the device screen — never trust recovery phrases generated by apps or websites.
Download Ledger Live from the official site to manage apps and accounts. Ledger Live is the recommended interface for installing apps, checking balances, and initiating transactions.
Follow device prompts to create a new wallet or restore from a previous recovery phrase. Choose a PIN you can remember and never share it. The recovery phrase (24 words on most Ledger devices) is the single most important backup.
Through Ledger Live, install the individual apps you need for Bitcoin, Ethereum, or other supported blockchains. This modular approach keeps the device lightweight and secure.
Always verify addresses on the device screen before sending funds. Ledger Live shows addresses, but the device is your final authority — if the address on your computer differs from the one on your device, cancel immediately.
Write your recovery phrase on the included card or a metal backup plate. Store it offline in a secure location—never photograph or upload it to cloud storage. Consider using multiple geographically separated backups if you hold substantial assets.
Ledger periodically releases firmware and app updates to improve security and support. Use the official Ledger Live update flow; avoid third-party firmware or unverifiable sources.
Scammers may mimic Ledger pages. Always confirm URLs, and prefer direct links from ledger.com. When in doubt, use the Getting Started Hub as your central entry point.
Below are direct links to official Ledger resources. Each link is styled for quick visual scanning — pick the resource that matches your need.
Tip: Bookmark the Getting Started Hub and Ledger Support pages. They remove guesswork when you need to verify steps or downloads.
Add accounts for each blockchain you use. Ledger Live displays balances and transaction history while keeping private keys offline on your device.
Ledger Live supports staking certain assets and integrates with third-party apps for swaps. Always check the terms and supported assets between Ledger Live and the external service.
Purchase only from Ledger's official store or verified resellers to avoid tampered or counterfeit devices.
No legitimate support agent or service will ask for your 24-word phrase. Treat it like the keys to a safe—private and offline.
Prefer Ledger's own documentation and Ledger Academy over random web tutorials that might be out of date or malicious.
Advanced users can enable an optional passphrase for additional security. Understand the trade-offs and the responsibility—losing a passphrase can mean losing funds.
Ledger works with many decentralized apps through Ledger Live or browser integrations; always confirm contract addresses and permissions before signing transactions.
ledger.com.