A clear, friendly guide to set up your Ledger hardware wallet, install Ledger Live, and protect your crypto — step-by-step, with best practices and safety tips.
Before you begin, gather the essentials: your Ledger hardware device (Ledger Nano S Plus, Nano X, or another Ledger model), a USB-C or USB-A cable if required, a computer or mobile phone with internet access, and a quiet place to write down your recovery phrase.
We'll walk through initializing the device, saving your recovery phrase, installing apps, and sending your first transaction.
Connect your device to your computer or phone and follow the on-screen prompts. When powered on, choose:
During setup you'll define a PIN. Choose a PIN that you can remember but that isn't trivial. Never tell your PIN to anyone.
Important visual cue: your Ledger device will show a series of words (the recovery phrase). This is the only way to restore your funds if the device is lost or damaged.
This step is critical. Ledger will present a 24-word recovery phrase — write it down exactly in order on the provided recovery sheet or on paper. Do not take pictures or save the phrase in any digital file.
Never share these words with anyone.
Store two physical copies in separate, secure locations (for instance, a home safe and a safe deposit box). Consider a metal backup plate if you want long-term fire/water resistance.
Download Ledger Live from the official Ledger website and follow the instructions to install. Ledger Live is the desktop and mobile app that lets you manage accounts, install app packages, and send/receive crypto.
Open Ledger Live → Add device → Follow pairing instructions on your device.
Within Ledger Live's Manager tab, install the apps for the cryptocurrencies you plan to use (Bitcoin, Ethereum, etc.). Each app uses secure firmware on the device to sign transactions.
Tip: install only the apps you need to minimize device storage usage.
In Ledger Live, add accounts for your coins. To verify everything works, request a small test deposit from an exchange or another wallet (for example, 0.001 BTC or a small ETH amount).
Confirm the receiving address on your Ledger device — verifying the address on the device screen is the only trusted address check.
• Keep your recovery phrase offline and private.
• Never enter your recovery phrase into a website or share it with anyone claiming to be support.
• Use a unique PIN and enable additional device passphrases if you need hidden wallets.
• Keep firmware and Ledger Live up to date — Ledger will publish authentic updates through Ledger Live only.
A passphrase adds another secret word to your 24-word recovery phrase, creating a hidden wallet. Use this only if you understand the risk: losing the passphrase means permanent loss of access.
If you use multiple Ledgers, ensure each has its own recovery phrase unless intentionally sharing the same phrase for redundancy (not generally recommended).
Always follow official Ledger guidance when updating firmware. Ledger Live will walk you through firmware updates safely — confirm updates on your device screen before accepting.
No. Ledger cannot recover your funds — the recovery phrase is your sole backup; keep it safe.
Ledger Live is optional but recommended for managing accounts and installing apps. Some power users use third-party wallets with their Ledger device for advanced features.
If stolen, your funds remain safe as long as your PIN and recovery phrase remain secret. If necessary, move funds using a replacement device after restoring with your recovery phrase.
Setting up a Ledger device takes a small amount of time but gives long-term security for your crypto. Follow the steps carefully, protect your recovery phrase, and verify all addresses on your device. When in doubt, consult official Ledger help resources.
Safe travels on your crypto journey — secure your keys, and you control your assets.