Ledger.com/Start® | Getting started

Official Ledger® start guide — download Ledger Live, set up your Ledger® device, secure your recovery phrase, and begin managing crypto with confidence.

Welcome to the official Ledger® getting started guide. This 1500-word walkthrough is designed for new and returning users who want a clear, secure path from downloading Ledger Live at ledger.com/start to initializing a Ledger® hardware wallet and performing basic transactions safely. Follow these steps to reduce risk and take control of your crypto holdings.

Why Ledger®?

Ledger® hardware wallets are built to keep private keys offline and immune to internet-based threats. Pairing a Ledger® device with Ledger Live gives you a secure interface for managing many cryptocurrencies, staking assets, swapping tokens, and connecting to vetted Web3 applications, while ensuring that signing always happens on-device.

Step 1 — Start at the official page

Always begin at ledger.com/start. This ensures you download authentic Ledger Live installers and access official setup resources and support. Phishing and counterfeit downloads are common — using the official start page minimizes risk.

Step 2 — Download Ledger Live

Ledger Live is available for desktop (Windows, macOS, Linux) and mobile (Android, iOS). From the start page select the version matching your device. The site provides guidance on installers and may show checksum or signature information for verification.

Step 3 — Install and open Ledger Live

  1. Run the downloaded installer and follow the OS prompts to complete installation.
  2. Launch Ledger Live after installation completes.
  3. On first run, choose between Set up a new device or I already have a device depending on your situation.

Step 4 — Unbox and inspect your Ledger® device

When your Ledger® device arrives, inspect the packaging for tamper-evident seals and authenticity markers. Inside the box you should find the hardware wallet, USB cable, a recovery sheet, and quick start instructions. If anything looks tampered with or missing, contact support before proceeding.

Step 5 — Initialize your Ledger® device

  1. Connect the Ledger® device to your computer ( USB ) or use Bluetooth for supported models like Nano X with a mobile device.
  2. On-device, choose to create a new wallet or restore an existing one.
  3. Set a secure device PIN directly on the hardware wallet; this PIN unlocks the device whenever it is connected.
  4. Write down the 24-word recovery phrase exactly as displayed on the device. This phrase is your only backup — store it offline and in a secure location.
  5. Confirm the recovery phrase on the device when prompted to finalize setup.

Important: Ledger will never ask for your 24-word recovery phrase online. If anyone requests it, it’s a scam.

Step 6 — Connect Ledger Live with your device

Open Ledger Live and follow the guided setup. If you initialized the device on-device, choose I already have a device. Ledger Live will perform a genuine check to verify the firmware and device authenticity. Allow the connection and follow any on-screen prompts to add accounts.

Step 7 — Add accounts

In Ledger Live, go to the Accounts tab and add the currencies you want to manage. Each supported blockchain can have one or more accounts; adding an account creates a watching address in Ledger Live and links it to your Ledger® device for signing operations.

Step 8 — Receive funds securely

  1. Select the account you want to receive into and click Receive.
  2. Ledger Live will display a receiving address. Always confirm that the address shown in the app matches the one displayed on your Ledger® device screen before sharing it.
  3. Use the confirmed address for withdrawals from exchanges or transfers from other wallets.

Verifying the address on the physical device prevents address-substitution attacks where malware modifies the receiving address on your computer.

Step 9 — Send funds

To send crypto, prepare the transaction in Ledger Live by entering the recipient address and amount. Ledger Live will build the transaction, and your Ledger® device will display the transaction details for you to verify. Only after you confirm on-device will the transaction be signed and broadcast.

Step 10 — Explore extra features

Security best practices

Troubleshooting common issues

If Ledger Live cannot detect your device or you experience issues, try these steps:

Support and learning resources

Ledger provides an extensive knowledge base and official support linked from the start page. If you encounter issues beyond basic troubleshooting, consult the official help center articles or community forums. Always rely on official Ledger channels for support and avoid unsolicited assistance that requests your recovery phrase.

Final checklist

By following this guide, you’ll have a secure foundation for managing your crypto with Ledger®. Take your time during setup, verify everything on-device, and keep recovery data safe. When in doubt, return to the official start page at Go to Ledger.com/Start.