Official Site® | Ledger.com/Start®
Getting started with Ledger® — a clear, practical guide for new users who want to secure crypto with a hardware wallet and Ledger Live.
Why use a Ledger hardware wallet?
Short answer
Ledger hardware wallets keep your private keys offline (cold storage). That means even if your computer or phone is compromised, attackers cannot remotely steal your keys. Ledger combines a secure chip, an audited OS, and Ledger Live (the companion app) to manage, send and receive 5,000+ assets safely.
Before you begin — preparation
What you’ll need
- A Ledger device (examples: Nano S Plus, Nano X, Stax).
- A computer or smartphone with a USB-C cable (or Bluetooth for Nano X).
- A private, offline place to write your 24-word recovery phrase — never store it digitally.
Tip: Only download Ledger Live from the official site to avoid fake apps and phishing. See official links below.
Step-by-step setup (quick overview)
1. Visit Ledger.com/start
Open ledger.com/start which gives the official, device-specific setup flow and the Ledger Live download link.
2. Download Ledger Live
Download the Ledger Live app for your OS from the official download page and install it. (Windows / macOS / Linux / Mobile).
3. Initialize the device
Create a new wallet on the device, set a PIN, and write down the 24-word recovery phrase exactly as shown. This phrase is the only backup of your funds.
4. Install apps & add accounts
Use Ledger Live’s “Manager” to install the apps for the coins you want to use, then add accounts to view balances and transact.
Safety best practices
Do
- Only download Ledger Live from ledger.com/ledger-live-download.
- Store your 24-word recovery phrase offline and never share it.
- Keep your device firmware up-to-date via Ledger Live.
Don’t
- Enter your recovery phrase into any app or website.
- Buy devices from third-party marketplaces that could be tampered with.
Official resources & quick links
Start here — trusted Ledger pages you may need while setting up and managing your device: