A straightforward guide to setting up your Ledger signer, securing your recovery phrase, and making your first move with confidence.
Get startedYour keys. Your responsibility. Take it one step at a time.
Getting started with a hardware wallet means taking direct responsibility for your digital assets. Your Ledger signer keeps private keys isolated from internet-connected devices and requires you to confirm important actions on its screen. Ledger Live is the companion app that helps you manage accounts and prepare transactions.
There is no rush. Set up your device in a calm, private place, with enough time to read each prompt. This guide walks through the essentials. Menus and features may differ slightly by device model, app version, asset, or jurisdiction; follow the current instructions displayed by your device and Ledger Live.
Move at your own pace. The safest setup is the one you understand and verify for yourself.
Ledger Live is the companion app for your Ledger signer. Download it only from ledger.com/ledger-live or your device’s official app store. Check the publisher and URL before installing; imitation apps can look convincing. Ledger Live helps you set up your device, add accounts, view balances, and manage supported crypto assets from one place.
Connect your Ledger device to your computer or pair it with your phone, depending on your model. Follow the guided setup in Ledger Live. Choose “Set up as a new device” if this is your first signer. Your device will ask you to create a PIN. Choose a code that is difficult to guess and keep it private. The PIN protects access to the physical device; it is not your recovery phrase.
Your device will display a recovery phrase, usually 24 words. Write every word in the correct order on the recovery sheet supplied with your device, then check each word carefully. This phrase is the offline backup to your wallet. Anyone who gets it can control the assets associated with it, so never photograph it, type it into a computer, store it in cloud storage, or share it with anyone—not even someone claiming to be Ledger Support.
Your Ledger device will ask you to confirm selected words from the phrase. This step checks that your backup is accurate and readable. Take your time: a single incorrect word or an out-of-order phrase can prevent recovery later. Store your written backup somewhere private, secure, and protected from damage. Consider a second secure location for a separate backup, while avoiding unnecessary copies that could be discovered.
In Ledger Live, use My Ledger to install the blockchain apps you need on your device. Then add an account for each network or asset you want to use. The device stores your private keys; Ledger Live displays and prepares transactions for you to review. Your crypto assets remain on their respective blockchains, not inside the device or app. App availability and supported assets can vary by device, network, and region.
To receive, choose an account, select Receive, and verify the address shown in Ledger Live against the address displayed on your Ledger device. The device screen is the trusted source: check the full address and network before sharing it. For a first transfer, consider sending a small test amount. To send, enter the destination and amount, review the network and fees, then approve or reject the details on your device. Never approve a transaction you did not initiate.
Security depends on your habits as much as your hardware. Keep these fundamentals in mind every time you interact with your wallet.
Visit Ledger AcademyLedger will never ask you for your recovery phrase. No legitimate support agent, website, or app needs it. Anyone requesting it is trying to take control of your assets.
Always verify addresses, amounts, and transaction details on the Ledger screen itself. What you see on your computer or phone can be manipulated.
Scams often create pressure through warnings, prizes, or urgent deadlines. Pause, verify the source through official channels, and reject unexpected requests.
New to digital assets? A few important basics can make your first experience much easier.
Visit Ledger SupportYour assets are associated with your recovery phrase, not the physical device. If you have your phrase safely backed up, you can restore access on a compatible replacement device. Keep the phrase private and never enter it into a website or computer.
No. Crypto assets exist on their respective blockchains. Your device secures the private keys that authorize transactions, while Ledger Live provides an interface to view and manage supported accounts.
Malicious software can replace an address shown on a computer or phone. Comparing the address on your signer’s screen gives you a trusted way to confirm where a transaction will go.
Use support.ledger.com or the Help section in Ledger Live. Navigate there directly rather than following unsolicited links in messages, search ads, or social media replies.
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