Introduction — why follow the official start guide
Starting a Ledger hardware wallet the right way is critical. A Ledger device stores private keys in a secure element and pairs with the Ledger Live app, which is the official companion for managing accounts and transactions. Following the official steps prevents mistakes like importing unknown seed phrases, sharing your recovery phrase, or using a tampered install of Ledger Live.
Before you begin
- Unbox only an untampered Ledger device purchased from the official shop or an authorized reseller.
- Have a pen and the provided recovery sheet handy — never store the 24-word phrase digitally.
- Use a secure computer or mobile device to install Ledger Live from the official Ledger website.
Step-by-step: Power, connect, and initialize
- Power on — plug in the device (USB or Bluetooth-enabled models) and follow on-screen instructions to start.
- Choose language & PIN — pick a PIN you can remember but won’t be obvious. Enter it privately.
- Create or restore — choose set up as new device to generate a fresh 24-word recovery phrase, or restore if migrating from a previous device.
- Write your recovery phrase — write each of the 24 words on the supplied sheet in order. Store the sheet in a safe, offline place. Do not photograph or type it anywhere.
- Confirm — the device will ask you to confirm randomly selected words to ensure you recorded them correctly.
Install Ledger Live
Ledger Live is the official desktop & mobile app for managing crypto on your Ledger device. Download Ledger Live only from Ledger's official site and verify the signature/hash if needed before installing. After installation, open Ledger Live and follow the Get started
flow: select your device, choose Set up as new device or Restore from recovery phrase, and follow prompts.
Apps and accounts
Once Ledger Live is connected, use its Manager tab to install apps for supported blockchains (Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, etc.). Accounts for each blockchain are added inside Ledger Live; the device signs transactions and never exposes your private keys.
Safety and recovery best practices
- Never share your recovery phrase with anyone; Ledger staff will never ask for it.
- Keep multiple, geographically separated backups of the recovery sheet if your risk model requires it (e.g., safe deposit box + home safe).
- Use Recovery Check / official verification mechanisms to ensure your backup is correct.
Troubleshooting common issues
If Ledger Live does not detect your device, check cable/port, try a different USB port or a different computer, and ensure the device firmware is up to date in Ledger Live's Manager. If you lose your device, you can recover your accounts on a new Ledger by choosing Restore from recovery phrase and entering your 24 words on the new device.
When to contact official support
Contact official Ledger Support for device firmware problems, purchase verification questions, or suspected tampering. Never provide your recovery phrase in a support ticket.
Wrap-up
Follow the official Ledger start guide and Ledger Live instructions for the smoothest and safest onboarding. The combination of hardware security (the device) + software verification (Ledger Live, signed binaries) is what keeps custody of crypto secure.