Ledger Start — Secure your crypto and move forward with confidence
A practical, step-by-step start guide for people who want security without complexity: set up your Ledger device, protect recovery keys, add apps, and send your first transaction — all with clear prompts and built-in safety checks.
Why begin with Ledger?
Ledger devices keep the private keys that control your crypto offline. That means the signing of transactions happens inside a tamper-resistant environment you control — not on an exchange, not on a random phone app. For anyone who cares about ownership, this step changes how risk is managed: you own the keys, you own the outcome.
What you’ll need before setup
- Your new Ledger device and the included cable.
- A recent computer or mobile device with USB or USB-C, or use Ledger Live on mobile via Bluetooth where supported.
- A quiet place to write down the recovery phrase on the provided card — never store it as a plain file or photo.
Quick start — four real steps
- Power and initialize: Turn on the device, create a PIN directly on the device, and follow on-screen prompts. Choose a PIN you won’t forget but don’t store it digitally.
- Write your recovery phrase: The device generates a 24-word recovery phrase. Write every word in order on the recovery card. Verify the words using the device’s prompt. This phrase is the ultimate backup — treat it like gold.
- Install Ledger Live: Download Ledger Live on your desktop or mobile. The app verifies your device and helps install the specific crypto apps you want (Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, etc.).
- Add accounts and test: Add an account in Ledger Live and receive a small test amount. Confirm the address shown on your device matches the address in the app before accepting funds.
Practical safety habits
Always verify addresses on the device screen before confirming. Never share your 24-word recovery phrase. If you suspect your recovery is exposed, move funds to a new wallet immediately and make a fresh backup. Consider using a discreet location (home safe or safety deposit box) for long-term storage of the written recovery phrase.
Next-level setup (optional)
If you plan to hold large balances, split savings across multiple recovery seeds, or use passphrase protection (advanced feature) to create hidden accounts. Both strategies add layers of resilience — but only activate them after you have practiced basic recovery in a safe, offline environment.
Ready to go?
When you’re comfortable with the first steps, use Ledger Live to explore staking, buy/sell partners, and connect to Web3 apps safely through the device’s secure approvals. Each interaction still requires your explicit confirmation on the device — that physical check is the core security model.
Start setup