Welcome — why proper setup matters
A hardware wallet protects your private keys by keeping them offline. Ledger devices paired with Ledger Live provide a secure, user-friendly interface to manage assets, install apps, and sign transactions. This page guides you through unboxing checks, firmware updates, initializing or restoring a wallet, creating secure backups, installing Ledger Live, and everyday safety habits to help you keep control of your crypto.
1. Buy from official sources
Always purchase Ledger hardware from the official Ledger Shop or authorized resellers to avoid tampered devices.
2. Unbox & inspect
Check tamper-evident seals, packaging, and serial numbers. If anything looks suspicious, do not proceed — contact official support immediately.
3. Install Ledger Live
Download Ledger Live from the official site at Ledger Live. Ledger Live is the companion app for managing accounts, installing apps on your device, and performing transfers.
4. Initialize device
Follow the on-device prompts to create a new wallet or restore from an existing recovery phrase. Write down your recovery phrase and store it offline.
Detailed onboarding — what to expect
The following sections expand each step with what to watch for, common mistakes, and useful tips. The goal is to make your first interaction with the device safe and repeatable so you can confidently use Ledger for daily and long-term crypto management.
Ledger Live & account setup
Ledger Live connects to your Ledger device to manage multiple accounts, view balances, and perform transactions. After installing Ledger Live, use the built-in manager to add the apps for the blockchains you use. Ledger Live will not access your private keys — signing always happens on the device. Learn more at Ledger Live.
Recovery phrase & backups
During initialization the device generates a recovery phrase (usually 24 words). This phrase is the only way to recover your funds if the device is lost or damaged. Record the phrase by hand on the supplied card or a metal backup and store the copies in secure, separate locations. Do not store your seed digitally or share it with anyone.
Firmware updates & verification
Keep device firmware up to date via the official firmware updater. Firmware updates often include security fixes and new features. Only install firmware from trusted sources: Ledger Firmware documentation explains the process and verification steps.
Security best practices
- Use a secure PIN and change it if you suspect it’s compromised.
- Never enter your recovery phrase on a computer or website.
- Keep firmware and Ledger Live updated and use official download pages.
- Consider advanced backups (metal seed backups) for long-term storage.
Secure signing
All transaction signing is done on the device. Your private keys never leave the hardware wallet.
App manager
Install only the specific blockchain apps you need — apps isolate blockchain-specific functionality on-device.
Cross-platform
Ledger Live supports Windows, macOS, Linux, and mobile versions for account viewing and signing via Bluetooth on supported devices.
Testing your setup
After setup, send a small test transaction to confirm that everything works as expected. Verify the receiving address on the device screen before confirming in Ledger Live. This simple test helps catch connection issues or misconfigurations early.
Common troubleshooting
Restart Ledger Live and reconnect the device. Check cables and USB ports. Ensure the device firmware is compatible with your Ledger Live version.
Missing apps?Use the Manager in Ledger Live to install blockchain apps. Each app uses limited space — uninstalling an app does not delete your accounts (they can be re-added later and accounts are recovered from your seed).