Start with Ledger — set up your hardware wallet & Ledger Live

A step-by-step guide to get you up and running: install Ledger Live, set up your device, back up your recovery phrase, and secure your crypto — fast and confidently.

Why start with Ledger?

A hardware wallet keeps your private keys offline where they belong. Ledger devices combine a secure element chip and a hardened OS so that your seed phrase and private keys never leave the device. That means transactions are signed on-device, protecting you from remote hacks and most phishing attacks.

Quick overview — what you'll do

  1. Download and open Ledger Live on your computer or phone.
  2. Connect your Ledger device and follow the on-screen setup.
  3. Create a PIN and write down the 24-word recovery phrase on the supplied card — keep it offline.
  4. Install apps for the cryptocurrencies you use via Ledger Live’s Manager.
  5. Send, receive, stake, or swap — using your Ledger as the secure signer for every action.

Step-by-step setup (concise)

  1. Download Ledger Live: choose your OS from the official site and install the app.
  2. Connect & select device: Plug your Ledger, choose your model, and follow prompts.
  3. Create a PIN: Choose a PIN you’ll remember but that isn’t obvious to others.
  4. Write your recovery phrase: the 24 words are your last-resort backup — never store them digitally or share them.
  5. Install apps: in Ledger Live, open Manager and install the coin apps you need.

Practical security tips

Treat your recovery phrase like a physical key: if it’s copied, your funds can be drained. Do not:

  • Take photos of your recovery phrase.
  • Type it into a website, chat, or cloud note.
  • Share it with anyone claiming to be support — Ledger support will never ask for it.

What you can do next

After setup, Ledger Live lets you manage accounts, buy and sell through integrated partners, swap tokens, and stake selected assets — all while your private keys remain secured on-device. Pair Ledger with trusted third-party wallets or dApps when you need advanced DeFi actions, and always confirm every address on your Ledger screen before approving.

Need help?

If anything looks suspicious during setup (unexpected prompts, forced firmware downloads from outside Ledger Live, or prompts to reveal your recovery phrase), stop and consult official Ledger support resources before continuing.

Start setup with Ledger Live