Ledger hardware wallets are among the most popular devices for holding private keys offline. They combine a small, tamper-resistant hardware element with a well-supported software ecosystem. The goal of this guide is not to replace Ledger's official documentation, but to provide a practical, readable companion that walks you from unboxing to receiving assets while explaining the security why behind each step.
Ledger.com/start.Newcomers to hardware wallets and intermediate users who want a colorful, practical walkthrough. If you already have a Ledger and are performing advanced operations, use this as a high-level refresher.
Below are 10 convenient anchor links all pointing to the official Ledger start page — useful if you share this guide in an office, a training slide deck, or printouts. All links lead to https://ledger.com/start.
Tip: Bookmark ledger.com/start and always check that the URL is correct before entering sensitive information or connecting a device.
New Ledger packages usually include the hardware device (Ledger Nano S Plus, Nano X, or other model), a USB cable (or Bluetooth-capable model), recovery seed cards, and quick-start guides. Always receive hardware from an authorized retailer or Ledger directly.
If the device arrives pre-configured, with an existing PIN or recovery phrase inside the box, return it and contact the vendor. Devices should be factory reset and show the Ledger welcome screens when first powered on.
Ledger Live is the official desktop & mobile app for managing your Ledger hardware. The safest way to get Ledger Live is to visit the official starting page: https://ledger.com/start.
ledger.com/start manually (avoid search engine ads).On first run, Ledger Live will show onboarding steps and will guide you to either set up a new device or restore from an existing recovery phrase. Choose "Set up a new device" if you are initializing for the first time.
Some Ledger devices support Bluetooth (e.g., Nano X). If using Bluetooth, avoid pairing in public or insecure environments. USB is typically more straightforward and secure for desktop setups.
When prompted, create a PIN that you can remember but is not trivial. Use a 4–8 digit PIN; avoid obvious patterns like 1234 or birth years. The device will require this PIN each time you connect and confirm transactions.
The PIN protects the device if it is lost or stolen. Without the PIN, the device's private keys are still protected by the Secure Element, but a strong PIN adds an important additional barrier.
When Ledger shows your 24-word recovery phrase (sometimes 12 or 24 depending on model/config), write it down on the provided recovery card and store it offline — physically separate from the device.
Ledger or any legitimate service will never ask you to enter your 24-word phrase on a website or send it by message. If someone asks, it's a scam. Do not respond.
Ledger devices use apps (small, blockchain-specific software) to manage different blockchains. Ledger Live has an Manager section where you can install apps directly to the device.
Once an app is installed, go to Accounts > Add account > choose the blockchain > follow prompts. Ledger Live will derive public addresses from your device without exposing private keys.
Many blockchains use multiple derived addresses. Ledger Live will manage this for you; when receiving, copy the exact address shown and confirm it on your device screen before sharing it with a sender.
Malware on a computer can alter the clipboard or an on-screen address. Verifying the address on the physical device ensures the address is indeed derived from your hardware's keys.
For new senders or very large amounts, perform a small test transfer first. This minimizes risk while confirming everything functions correctly.
In Ledger Live, click Send, choose the account, paste the recipient address (verify on the device), choose amount and fees, and proceed. The device will prompt you to confirm details and show the address and amounts.
Always verify the destination address and fees on the device. If something looks off (wrong amount, strange address, excessive fee), cancel and investigate.
Ledger Live supports ERC-20 tokens, some NFT management, and advanced fee controls. When interacting with third-party wallets (e.g., MetaMask), use the official Ledger integration flow and confirm each transaction on-device.
If you suspect your recovery phrase was exposed, move funds ASAP to a new wallet initialized with a new recovery phrase — using a new device if necessary. If in doubt, consult Ledger's official support and consider professional assistance for large holdings.
Check cable & port, try another USB port, try a different computer, ensure device is unlocked. For Bluetooth devices, confirm pairing and that no other software is interfering.
Ensure you have the latest Ledger Live, the device firmware is up to date, and sufficient storage on the device for apps. Try restarting Ledger Live and the device.
If you still have the recovery phrase content (written somewhere but lost/damaged physically), transfer funds to a new wallet created from a new recovery phrase. If the phrase is irretrievably lost and not backed up, there's no way to recover funds.
Create separate accounts for day-to-day small spends and long-term cold storage. Keep only small operational balances on hot devices or software wallets.
Ledger supports adding an extra passphrase (BIP39 passphrase) to create hidden accounts. This is powerful but risky: if you forget the passphrase, funds are unrecoverable. Only use if you understand the trade-offs.
For organizational use, consider multi-signature setups (e.g., using hardware signers with a multisig policy) instead of single-device custody. This reduces single-point-of-failure risk for office/enterprise holdings.
No. You can use Ledger with third-party wallets (e.g., MetaMask, Electrum). Ledger Live provides a convenient, officially supported interface, but the core security feature is the hardware device itself.
Yes. If you have your recovery phrase, you can restore to another Ledger device (or compatible wallet) by choosing the restore option during setup and entering the 24-word phrase.
Your assets rely on the cryptographic standards (BIP32/BIP39/BIP44) and the private keys you control. Even if a manufacturer discontinues support, you can restore your recovery phrase to other compatible wallets using the same standard.
ledger.com/start.
A hardware wallet like Ledger provides an excellent balance of usability and security. The essential themes to remember: keep your recovery phrase offline, verify addresses on-device, and only use official software sources such as ledger.com/start. With these practices you’ll get the convenience of self-custody while minimizing avoidable risks.
Ready to begin? Click the official start page and follow the guided onboarding at the link below.
Get started at Ledger.com/start