Ledger.com/Start®® | Getting Started®® | Ledger®®

Before you begin

A Ledger hardware wallet keeps your private keys protected by a dedicated device while you review and approve transactions. Before starting Ledger wallet Setup, inspect the packaging and device, then use the instructions included with your genuine purchase. A new device should guide you through creating a new wallet; never use a recovery phrase supplied by a seller, a website, or another person.

Go directly to Ledger’s official website by typing its address yourself. Check the spelling and domain carefully, especially when following search results, advertisements, emails, or messages. This Ledger.com start guide is intended to explain the process—not to replace instructions shown on your device or official support documentation.

Set up your Ledger wallet

Power on the device and follow its on-screen prompts to create a new wallet. Choose a PIN that is difficult to guess and keep it private. The device will generate a recovery phrase, usually 24 words. Write each word down in the correct order and store the paper or approved backup somewhere secure and offline. Anyone who obtains this phrase may be able to control the associated assets.

Enter the recovery phrase only on the Ledger device when its verified recovery process requires it. Do not photograph it, save it in cloud storage, paste it into a computer, or disclose it to a support agent. No legitimate support representative needs your phrase. If a device arrives preconfigured or asks you to enter a phrase on a computer, stop and consult official support before proceeding.

Install and open Ledger Live

For Ledger Live App Download, visit Ledger’s official website and select the version for your computer or mobile device. Verify the publisher and download source before installing. Ledger Live Desktop provides a desktop interface for managing supported accounts and checking device authenticity. Connect or pair your hardware wallet as prompted, unlock it with your PIN, and install only the apps you need through the verified interface.

People searching for Ledger Live Login should know that opening the app is not the same as signing into a custodial exchange account. Follow the app’s current on-screen connection and account instructions; do not enter your recovery phrase into a login page. A Ledger Wallet Extension may be mentioned in third-party guides, but browser wallet options and compatibility can change. Confirm any extension directly through official Ledger documentation and your browser’s verified store before connecting it.

Review every action

When adding an account or receiving assets, verify the selected network and address on the device screen as well as in the app. Before approving a transaction, read the amount, destination, and fees on the hardware wallet itself. A computer display can be misleading if it has been compromised; the trusted device screen is where you should confirm transaction details.

Keep device software and apps current using official instructions, but pause if a message pressures you to act urgently. Never approve an unfamiliar transaction, scan an unsolicited recovery QR code, or install remote-access software at a stranger’s request. If something looks unusual, disconnect and independently navigate to official support. Taking a moment to verify is part of good self-custody practice.

Frequently asked questions