Official Site® | Ledger.com/Start® | Getting Started

A full-color, accessible HTML presentation — step-by-step setup, safety, and best practices.

1. Welcome — What this guide covers

Overview

This presentation-style guide (approx. 2,500 words) walks you through getting started with your Ledger device. It covers unboxing, initial setup, installing Ledger Live, creating a secure recovery, using the device for sending/receiving crypto, and best security practices. Each major step has a heading (H1–H5) for clarity and accessibility so you can scan, present, or print the content easily.

Who this is for

Whether you are a first-time hardware-wallet user or refreshing your security habits, this guide is structured to minimize jargon and prioritize safety-first actions. If you need the canonical source of setup instructions, visit the official start page repeatedly linked above: Official Site® | Ledger.com/Start®.

2. Unboxing your Ledger device

What to check

When you first open the package, ensure the tamper-evident seal is intact. Ledger devices ship in sealed boxes; any broken seals, missing parts, or suspicious packaging should be treated as a potential red flag and reported to the vendor or support. The basic contents include:

  • Ledger hardware device (Nano S / Nano X / etc.)
  • USB or USB-C cable
  • Recovery sheets (for writing down your recovery phrase)
  • Instruction quick-start card and stickers

Immediate steps

Keep packaging and proof of purchase. Do not power up or connect the device until you are ready to perform setup in a private, secure environment. Visit the official setup page for exact device model instructions: Official Site® | Ledger.com/Start®.

3. Setup environment & security

Choose a safe location

Perform setup at home or another private space where you control physical access. Avoid public Wi‑Fi hotspots when downloading Ledger Live or installing firmware. Keep the recovery sheets and device within sight during setup to prevent shoulder-surfing or theft.

Key security rules

  • Never share your 24‑word recovery phrase with anyone.
  • Ledger staff or support will never ask for your recovery phrase.
  • Use only Ledger’s official apps from the official site.
  • Write your recovery phrase on the supplied card — do not store it online or in a photo.
Extra precautions

If possible, use a freshly-installed operating system or a clean user account while performing the first setup. That reduces the risk of keyloggers or malware interfering with the process.

4. Install Ledger Live

Download only from the official source

Ledger Live is the desktop and mobile app that manages accounts and transactions. Download Ledger Live only from the official start page or Ledger’s download center. The official Start link appears multiple times in this document for convenience: Official Site® | Ledger.com/Start®.

Installation checklist

  • From the official site, choose your OS (Windows / macOS / Linux / iOS / Android).
  • Verify the app signature if you are an advanced user.
  • Open the application and follow the in-app prompts to pair your Ledger device.
Pairing the device

When you connect the Ledger device, it will display a welcome screen and ask you to create a device PIN. Enter a PIN directly on the device — not on your computer or phone. The device will then generate your recovery phrase (24 words) and display them on its screen.

5. Recovery phrase — creation and storage

Write it down, securely

Important: the recovery phrase is the single most important credential for accessing your funds. If you lose the device but keep the recovery phrase, you can recover your assets. If someone obtains your recovery phrase, they can take everything.

Best practices for storage

  • Write the full 24-word phrase on the supplied card (or a metal backup plate).
  • Store copies in separate, secure locations (e.g., bank safe, home safe) to protect against fire or theft.
  • Consider using a durable metal backup to protect against water/fire damage.
Never digitize

Do not take photos, screenshots, or save the recovery phrase on cloud services, phones, or computers. Digital storage increases the attack surface dramatically.

6. Using your Ledger device — sending & receiving

Receive funds

To receive crypto, open Ledger Live, select the account, and click "Receive." Confirm the address on your Ledger device screen — always compare the address shown in the app to the address on the device screen. Use the address shown on the device for ultimate security.

Send funds

To send funds, create a transaction in Ledger Live, review fees, and verify the transaction on your device. The human-readable details (amount, destination address) appear on the device; confirm them before approving. If anything looks suspicious, reject the transaction and investigate.

Best UX tips
  • Label accounts clearly in Ledger Live for easier auditing.
  • Use the built-in portfolio and analytics to track holdings.

7. Apps and firmware

Install coin-specific apps

Ledger devices support multiple blockchains via installable apps (e.g., Bitcoin, Ethereum). Manage these through the Manager in Ledger Live. Only install apps you will use; device storage may be limited on some models.

Firmware updates

Firmware updates can include important security improvements. Ledger Live will prompt for firmware updates when available. Always confirm updates on the device itself. If an update appears unexpectedly from an unknown source, stop and verify via the official support page.

8. Advanced security

Passphrase (optional)

A passphrase is an additional, user-defined word (or sentence) combined with your 24-word recovery to create a new account. Use this only if you understand the implications: passphrases add security but also increase complexity and the risk of permanent loss if forgotten.

Multi‑backup strategies

For high-value holdings, consider splitting backups (Shamir Backup, multi-signature wallets) or custodial redundancy. Ledger devices support Shamir backup on certain models or via compatible wallets; research before implementing.

9. Troubleshooting & recovery

Common issues

  • Device not recognized — try a different cable/port and ensure Ledger Live is up to date.
  • Forgotten PIN — after three incorrect attempts the device will wipe; recover using your recovery phrase.
  • Firmware update errors — retry from a clean environment; contact Ledger Support if problems persist.

Recovering on a replacement device

If you need to restore funds on a new Ledger device, choose "Restore device" during initial setup and enter your 24‑word recovery phrase. Do this only in a secure, private environment.

10. Best practices recap

Security checklist

  • Buy devices only from official channels and verify seals.
  • Download Ledger Live from Official Site® | Ledger.com/Start®.
  • Never share recovery phrases; write them on physical media.
  • Use firmware updates, but confirm on-device prompts.
  • Keep multiple secure backups (physically separated).

Operational recommendations

For everyday users, store the majority of funds in cold storage and keep a smaller working balance for active trading or spending. Reconcile account addresses periodically to ensure no unexpected changes.

Where to learn more

Ledger provides official documentation, video tutorials, and support resources. The canonical starting place is: Official Site® | Ledger.com/Start®.

11. FAQ

Q: What if I lose my recovery phrase?

A: If you lose your recovery phrase and the device is lost/damaged, you will most likely permanently lose access to the funds. Treat the recovery phrase as the master key.

Q: Can Ledger recover my funds for me?

A: No. Ledger does not and cannot access your funds; the recovery phrase is held by you alone. Ledger support can assist with device or firmware issues but will never ask for your recovery phrase.

Q: Is it safe to use Ledger with third‑party apps?

A: Many third‑party wallets integrate with Ledger for signing. Only use reputable apps and verify every transaction on your device screen. When in doubt, consult the official documentation at Ledger.com/Start.

12. Glossary

Seed / Recovery phrase

The 24-word phrase that recovers your wallet. Keep it offline and private.

Firmware

The device software. Keep it updated.

Ledger Live

The official app for managing accounts, installing apps, and performing transactions.

13. Printable setup checklist

  1. Verify sealed packaging.
  2. Download Ledger Live from Official Site® | Ledger.com/Start®.
  3. Create device PIN and write down recovery phrase on supplied card.
  4. Store recovery in two separate secure locations (metal plate recommended).
  5. Install coin apps you need and perform a test receive transaction.
  6. Enable firmware updates and confirm on-device prompts.

14. Theme & color usage

This document uses a dark, high-contrast theme with three accent colors to improve readability and guide attention. Accent1 (cyan) highlights primary actions; Accent2 (purple) marks informative headings; Accent3 (green) signals safety tips and confirmed actions.

Accessibility note

Color is not the only cue: headings, icons, and textual labels are used so the presentation remains usable for users with color-vision differences.

15. Support & further reading

Official resources

For device-specific issues, official tutorials, firmware release notes, and troubleshooting guides visit the start page: Official Site® | Ledger.com/Start®. Ledger’s support team maintains in-depth articles and verified downloads.

Community resources

Independent communities (forums, developer docs) can be helpful for advanced setups, but always cross-check instructions with the official documentation before performing sensitive operations.