Ledger.com/Start® | Starting Up Your Device

Introduction

Welcome — if you’ve just received a Ledger device (Ledger Nano S Plus, Ledger Nano X, or another Ledger model), you’re taking an important step to control your crypto private keys offline. This guide is written to be approachable and thorough. It assumes no prior hardware-wallet experience and includes actionable security tips, FAQs, and direct links to official resources where appropriate.

Why a hardware wallet matters

Hardware wallets store your private keys offline, keeping them isolated from internet-connected devices where malware and phishing attacks thrive. With Ledger, the private key never leaves the device; operations like signing transactions happen locally inside the secure element. The tradeoff is that setup needs care—especially when handling your recovery phrase.

What you’ll need

Ledger hardware device (sealed package).
USB cable or Bluetooth-capable host (for Nano X).
Computer or mobile device with a modern browser.
Quiet, private workspace for recording the recovery phrase.

Unboxing & first inspection

Before powering on, inspect the box and tamper-evident seals. Ledger devices ship with a tamper-proof sticker and packaging. If the packaging looks opened, damaged, or the tamper seal is broken — contact Ledger support immediately and don’t use the device.

Safety-first checklist

Box sealed and intact.
No pre-installed PIN or seed — Ledger never ships configured devices.
Accessory packet includes recovery sheets and USB cable.

Step-by-step setup (illustrated)

Step 1 — Power on your Ledger

Connect the Ledger to your computer or phone using the provided cable. For Bluetooth models, follow on-screen instructions to pair via Ledger Live.

Use the device buttons to navigate. On most Ledger devices: press both buttons to begin.

Step 2 — Choose a PIN

Create a PIN on the device. Choose at least 4 digits; longer is better. Memorize the PIN but never write it down with your recovery phrase.

PIN tips

Avoid obvious sequences (1234, 0000).
Don’t reuse a bank PIN or common passcode.

Step 3 — Recovery phrase generation

The Ledger will display a recovery phrase (usually 24 words) on its screen. Write these words down in order on the provided recovery sheets. This is the single most important action — anyone with this phrase can access your funds.

Never enter your recovery phrase into a website, your phone, or any app. The only time you’ll ever input it is on a legitimate hardware wallet during a recovery process.

Step 4 — Confirm the recovery phrase

Ledger will ask you to confirm a few words to ensure you wrote them correctly. Confirm exactly in the order shown; using incorrect words or order will prevent recovery.

Step 5 — Install Ledger Live

Ledger Live is the companion app that helps you manage accounts and firmware. Download it from the official Ledger site (link in header). Install and open Ledger Live, then follow the app’s prompts to connect your device.

Step 6 — Add accounts

Within Ledger Live, you can add accounts for Bitcoin, Ethereum, and many other blockchains. The device will be used to verify and sign transactions while Ledger Live provides a friendly interface for balances, transactions, and portfolio overview.

Step 7 — Firmware & app updates

Ledger releases firmware updates to improve security and add features. Only update firmware using Ledger Live and verify the update notifications are shown on the device screen before approving.

Step 8 — Test with a small transfer

Before moving large sums, send a small test transaction to confirm everything is working. Check that the receiving address displayed in Ledger Live matches the one shown on your device.

Step 9 — Backup & storage

Store the recovery sheet in at least two geographically separated, secure locations (e.g., a safe and a safety deposit box). Avoid storing the phrase digitally (photos, notes, cloud storage).

Step 10 — Regular maintenance

Check Ledger Live periodically for app updates, and review your physical storage plan for recovery sheets. Consider advanced options like a metal backup for fire-resistant storage.

Security deep-dive

Seed security: paper vs. metal backups

Paper recovery sheets are convenient but vulnerable to water, fire, and decay. Metal backups (e.g., a stainless-steel plate that accepts word indexes or engraved words) provide better physical durability. Use tamper-evident storage and consider redundancy.

Phishing and social engineering

Scammers may impersonate Ledger support, ask for your recovery phrase, or send fake links. Ledger will never ask for your recovery phrase. If someone requests it via email, chat, or phone, it’s a scam.

How to verify official Ledger communication

Emails come from @ledger.com domains.
Ledger’s official channels are listed on the Ledger website.
Use bookmarks to access Ledger Live downloads rather than clicking links in messages.

Advanced: Passphrase (optional)

Ledger devices support an optional passphrase (sometimes called 25th word). It creates a hidden wallet that requires both the recovery phrase and the passphrase. This is powerful for deniability and segmentation, but increases complexity. Only use it if you understand the trade-offs and how to securely store the passphrase.

Troubleshooting & common issues

Device not detected by Ledger Live

Try a different USB port or cable, restart the computer, and ensure you granted permissions if prompted. On mobile, confirm Bluetooth is enabled and the device is paired.

Forgot PIN

If you forget your PIN, you will need to reset the device and restore from your recovery phrase. This is why the recovery phrase is critical—without it, funds are irretrievable.

Lost recovery phrase

If your recovery phrase is lost and you still have access to the device, immediately transfer funds to a new wallet whose recovery phrase you control. If both device and phrase are lost, funds cannot be recovered.

Best practices checklist

Buy devices only from the official Ledger store or verified resellers.
Never reveal your recovery phrase.
Use a strong PIN and never write it down with your seed.
Update firmware only through Ledger Live.
Keep multiple secure backups of your recovery phrase (paper + metal recommended).
Consider a multi-signature solution for very large holdings.

Links & resources (10 essential links)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can Ledger be hacked?

Ledger devices are built to be resilient—private keys are isolated within a secure element and signing happens offline. However, user mistakes (leaking the recovery phrase, falling for phishing) can lead to compromise. Combine device security with safe user practices.

Is Ledger Live necessary?

Ledger Live is the recommended companion app for managing accounts and firmware. Power users can use compatible third-party wallets, but they must always pair them with the hardware device for signing.

How many words is the recovery phrase?

Ledger typically uses a 24-word BIP39 recovery phrase. Some advanced setups may use a 12-word or different configurations depending on the seed origin; always follow instructions shown by your device.

Advanced topics

Multi-signature strategies

For institutional or high-value personal holdings, consider multi-signature (multisig) wallets that require multiple independent keys to authorize transactions. A hardware wallet can serve as one or more signers in a multisig setup.

Using passphrases and hidden wallets

Passphrases create hidden wallets tied to the seed. They can help partition funds and provide plausible deniability but require disciplined backup of the passphrase itself. If you lose the passphrase, the hidden wallet is lost even if you have the original 24 words.

Closing thoughts

Setting up your Ledger device carefully at the start saves you from costly mistakes later. Take time to understand the recovery phrase process, secure your backups, and practice safe habits to keep your crypto secure. Ledger provides robust hardware and software tools, but security ultimately depends on informed user behavior.