Get Started with Ledger — ledger.com/start

Secure your crypto with a hardware wallet — quick setup guide & best practices

1. Why choose a Ledger hardware wallet?

Hardware wallets keep your private keys offline in a secure element while allowing you to interact safely with apps like Ledger Live. If you value long-term security and ownership of your crypto, a hardware wallet from Ledger is a commonly recommended option.

Quick benefits

Tip

Always buy only from the official Ledger store to avoid tampered devices.

2. What you’ll need before you start

Checklist

Safety first

Never share your recovery phrase. Ledger will never ask for it. Treat it like the master key to your funds.

3. Step-by-step setup (high level)

Step 1 — Visit the official start page

Open https://www.ledger.com/start for the guided walkthrough tailored to your model. The official start page includes model-specific instructions and videos.

Step 2 — Download Ledger Live

Install Ledger Live on your desktop or mobile from the official Ledger site. Ledger Live is the companion app you’ll use to manage accounts, install apps on the device, and send/receive assets.

Step 3 — Initialize your device

Follow the on-device prompts to create a new wallet or restore an existing wallet using your recovery phrase. Record the recovery phrase on the provided card and store it offline.

Step 4 — Add accounts in Ledger Live

Use Ledger Live to add cryptocurrency accounts, install app support for chosen blockchains, and verify addresses on your device before sending funds.

4. Best practices & security

Protect your recovery phrase

Store it physically (not digitally). Consider a steel backup if you need resilience against fire, water, and time.

Beware of fake apps & phishing

Only download Ledger Live and official resources from ledger.com. Scammers sometimes mimic Ledger to trick users into entering their seed phrase — never do this.

Regular checks

Keep firmware and Ledger Live up to date and verify transaction details on the device screen before approving.

5. Troubleshooting & help

If you run into issues consult Ledger Support and the official knowledge base for step-by-step articles and videos. For complex issues, contact support via the official support portal only.