Fast, clear setup guidance for Ledger hardware wallets and Ledger Live — essential steps, security checkpoints, and official resources.
Getting started with Ledger is designed to be straightforward: unbox your device, initialize it, install Ledger Live, secure your recovery phrase, and add accounts for the blockchains you want to manage. This short guide walks you through the core steps and security best practices so you can manage crypto safely.
When you receive your Ledger device, verify packaging and tamper-evidence according to the official instructions. Power on the device and follow the on-device prompts to select language and create a new wallet (or recover an existing one if you already have a recovery phrase).
Choose a PIN you can remember but that isn’t easily guessable; the device will lock after incorrect attempts, protecting your keys.
Ledger Live is the companion app for desktop and mobile — use it to install blockchain apps on your device, add accounts, view balances and send/receive crypto. Download Ledger Live only from the official Ledger site and follow the installation prompts.
Download Ledger LiveAfter you connect your Ledger to Ledger Live, use the “Manager” to install apps (e.g., Bitcoin, Ethereum). Then add accounts in Ledger Live for each asset you want to manage. Each account corresponds to an address derived from your device’s private keys, which never leave the device.
Install only the apps you need — devices have limited app storage, and removing an app does not delete your assets (they remain recoverable via your recovery phrase).
Use Ledger Live to generate receive addresses and to send transactions. For buying or swapping crypto, use integrated third-party providers available inside Ledger Live — double-check transaction addresses on your device's screen before confirming.
Always verify the destination address and transaction details on the physical device screen. If the address shown on your computer doesn’t match the device, do not proceed.
If you run into issues, Ledger Support articles cover device setup, OS updates, and Ledger Live topics. For device-specific steps (Nano S Plus, Nano X, Ledger Stax), consult the device setup articles and the official getting-started hub.