A clear, colorful guide to set up and secure your crypto hardware wallet — ready to present or print.
Ledger hardware wallets are built to keep your private keys offline and safe. They offer a user-friendly setup, recovery mechanisms, and integrate with many apps and coins. This presentation walks you through the essentials — from unboxing to first transaction — and links directly to the official start page for step-by-step resources. Visit the official start page anytime: https://www.ledger.com/start.
This guide covers: unboxing and checking authenticity, installing Ledger Live, creating a new device seed, securely storing your recovery phrase, adding accounts, sending & receiving assets, and safe daily practices. For the official checklist, see: Ledger Start — official.
If you're new to hardware wallets or moving from a software wallet, this step-by-step presentation is tailored to minimize mistakes and maximize security.
Prepare a clean desk, a secure pen for your recovery sheet, and ensure your computer is updated. Avoid public Wi‑Fi when initializing the device. Keep the official start link handy: Ledger Start.
Initialization in a compromised environment (malware, public network) can leak information. Use a private network and confirm firmware on the device during setup.
Ledger packages include tamper-evident seals, Quick Start card, recovery sheets, USB cable, and the device. If anything looks tampered or different, do not proceed — consult: Ledger Start — authenticity.
Compare with images on the official site to confirm authenticity before powering on.
Ledger Live is the official desktop/mobile app to manage your Ledger device. Download Ledger Live only from the official page: https://www.ledger.com/start. Install, follow the prompts, and keep the app updated.
When prompted, choose to set up as a new device (create a new seed) or restore from an existing recovery phrase. Never input your recovery phrase into a computer or phone — record it on the provided sheet and store offline.
Update firmware if Ledger Live suggests it. Choose a strong PIN (4–8 digits) you can remember but that others cannot guess. After setup, confirm the recovery phrase shown on the device matches your written copy.
Write your 24-word seed on the physical recovery sheet and consider metal backup solutions for fire/water protection. Never store the phrase digitally or photograph it. For recommended backups and supplier links, see: Ledger Start.
No legitimate service (including Ledger) will ever ask for your recovery phrase. Treat it like the master key to all your funds.
Install coin-specific apps through Ledger Live (e.g., Bitcoin, Ethereum). After installing, add an account and receive a test amount first to verify addresses match the device screen.
When receiving funds, verify the receiving address shown in Ledger Live matches the address displayed on the device screen.
Initiate a transaction in Ledger Live, connect the device, and confirm details directly on the hardware wallet. Only sign when you verify the amount and destination address on the device itself.
Choose the fee level based on urgency. Ledger Live shows recommended fees, but you can customize for cost savings when not in a hurry.
Regularly update Ledger Live and device firmware, keep your recovery phrase offline, use strong unique PINs, and enable passphrase features only when you understand them. If you need official troubleshooting, use the start page: https://www.ledger.com/start.
Double-check URLs before visiting, bookmark the official Ledger site, and never click suspicious links. The official start page is the safest first stop: Ledger Start (official).
If you lose your device, you can recover funds with your recovery phrase on a new Ledger or compatible wallet. If you suspect compromise, move assets to a new wallet after recovering on a secure device.
Passphrases create hidden wallets under the same recovery phrase. Use them only if you understand trade-offs. For advanced guides, the official start page offers documented steps: official advanced setup.
Ledger supports integrations with web3 apps and DeFi interfaces — always connect through Ledger Live Bridge or approved providers and confirm transactions on your device.