Ledger Start — Begin Securely Configuring Your Ledger Wallet
Begin Securely Configuring Your Ledger Wallet
Setting up your Ledger device correctly is the most important step you’ll take to protect your crypto assets. Ledger Start walks you through the essential steps: verifying your device, generating and storing your recovery phrase, creating a PIN, and connecting safely to Ledger Live. A careful setup prevents theft, phishing, and accidental loss of funds.
Begin by unboxing your Ledger device and checking the packaging for the official seal and holograms. Always purchase hardware wallets from authorized sellers to avoid tampered devices. Power on the device and follow the on-screen prompts — genuine Ledger devices display a unique startup animation and a device model identifier. If anything looks suspicious, stop and contact Ledger support.
Ledger Live is the official application for managing your wallet. Download Ledger Live from the official Ledger website and install it on your desktop or mobile device. Open Ledger Live, choose “Get started,” and follow the guided onboarding. Ledger Live handles firmware updates, app installations, and account management in a secure environment.
On the device, select “Set up as new device” and choose a secure PIN code. Pick a PIN you can remember but that is not easily guessable; avoid repeating sequences or personal dates. Your PIN is required each time the device powers on or performs sensitive actions. Never enter your PIN on a computer or share it with anyone.
After choosing a PIN, the device generates a recovery phrase (usually 24 words). This phrase is the single most critical backup of your wallet. Write down every word in the exact order on the provided recovery card and store it securely offline — never take photos of it or store it digitally. If you lose your device, the recovery phrase is the only way to restore access to your funds.
The Ledger device will ask you to confirm a subset of the recovery words to ensure you copied them correctly. Take this step slowly and double-check spelling and order. Do not proceed until you are confident the written phrase matches the words displayed. Once confirmed, your device and key backup are ready.
Connect your device to Ledger Live and check for firmware updates. Keeping firmware up to date ensures you have the latest security improvements. Next, install apps for the blockchains you plan to use (Bitcoin, Ethereum, etc.). Ledger stores private keys on-device; blockchain apps let Ledger Live communicate securely with each network.
In Ledger Live, add accounts for each cryptocurrency you hold. Each account generates receiving addresses that you can use to receive funds. Always verify the address on your hardware device screen before sharing it or sending funds — onscreen verification ensures the address hasn’t been altered by malware on your computer.
Keep your recovery phrase offline in a secure location like a safe or safety deposit box. Consider using metal backups for extreme durability. Enable additional protections such as passphrase support if you require plausible deniability or multi-account separation. Never enter recovery words into any software or website. Be cautious of phishing emails and fake Ledger pages — always type the official Ledger URL directly into your browser.
If you misplace your device but still have your recovery phrase, you can restore your wallet on a new Ledger device or any compatible hardware wallet. If the device behaves unexpectedly during setup, disconnect, reboot, and retry. For persistent issues, consult Ledger’s official support resources and community documentation rather than third-party guides.
Periodically check Ledger Live for updates and review account activity. Avoid using public or untrusted computers for sensitive operations. Regularly audit the physical security of your recovery phrase and consider using additional hardware security modules for high-value holdings.