Ledger Wallet Setup Guide

A friendly, colorful walk-through to get your Ledger hardware wallet set up securely — step by step.

Before you start — what you'll need

Make sure you are in a private place, free from cameras and prying eyes. Read every step fully before performing it.

  • A genuine Ledger device (Nano S Plus, Nano X, or similar).
  • Original USB cable or Bluetooth-capable device for Ledger Nano X.
  • A computer or phone with Ledger Live installed (we'll walk through this).
  • A quiet pen and the recovery sheet that came in the box — or a secure metal backup if you prefer.

Important: The recovery phrase (24 words) is the single most critical backup of your crypto. Never share it with anyone and never enter it into a website or app.

Unbox, power on, and verify the device

Carefully unbox the Ledger device and verify packaging integrity. Power the device by connecting it to your computer or phone. The device will display a welcome screen and a small animated logo.

  1. Press the buttons (or button) indicated by your model to power on.
  2. If prompted to allow Ledger Manager, accept only in Ledger Live (we'll show how to install it).
  3. When powered on, confirm the device displays a secure setup message. If anything looks off, stop and contact official Ledger support using a verified channel.

Set a PIN on the device

Follow on-device prompts to create a PIN. This secures access to the device and prevents unauthorized use.

  • Choose a PIN of 4–8 digits (longer is generally safer).
  • Never store the PIN with your recovery phrase.
  • If you forget your PIN, you'll need the recovery phrase to restore on a new device.
Example: 6 3 9 4 — choose something not trivial like 1 2 3 4

Write down the recovery phrase (24 words)

This step is the most important. The device will display 24 words, one or a few at a time. Use the recovery card that came with the device (or a secure metal backup).

  1. Write each word carefully in order — do not abbreviate.
  2. Double-check spelling; a single mistake can prevent recovery.
  3. Store the written recovery phrase in a secure, offline location — consider multiple geographically separated copies in fireproof safes.

Install Ledger Live (desktop or mobile)

Ledger Live is the companion app for managing accounts and installing apps on your Ledger device. Always download Ledger Live from the official source.

  1. Visit the official Ledger website and download Ledger Live for Windows/macOS/Linux or iOS/Android.
  2. Install and open Ledger Live, then follow the on-screen setup wizard.
  3. When Ledger Live asks, connect your device and confirm the connection on the hardware device.

Ledger Live is where you add accounts (Bitcoin, Ethereum, etc.) and install the appropriate apps onto your device.

Install coin apps and add accounts

From Ledger Live's Manager, install the specific app(s) you need (for example, Bitcoin, Ethereum). Each app uses a small amount of storage on the device.

  1. Open Ledger Live → Manager → Install the apps you want.
  2. After installation, go to Accounts → Add account → Choose your cryptocurrency and follow prompts.
  3. When sending or receiving, always confirm addresses on the hardware device display before approving in Ledger Live.
You can use Ledger with many third-party wallets (e.g., MetaMask for Ethereum). Always pair through the hardware wallet and confirm on-device prompts.

Safety checklist & best practices

  • Keep your recovery phrase offline and physically secure.
  • Use a PIN and enable additional device passcodes if available.
  • Verify firmware and app updates only through Ledger Live.
  • Never type your recovery phrase into a computer or phone.
  • Be cautious of phishing emails and fake Ledger sites — bookmark the official site.

If you lose access to your device, you can restore your wallet on a new compatible hardware device using the 24-word recovery phrase.

Troubleshooting quick hits

  • Device not recognized: try a different USB cable or USB port, and ensure Ledger Live has permission to access the device.
  • Forgot PIN: you will need your recovery phrase to restore to a new device.
  • Firmware update stuck: follow Ledger Live prompts carefully; do not disconnect until the process completes.
  • Suspicious messages: ignore any instructions that ask for your 24 words or private keys.

FAQ — short answers

Can Ledger recover my funds if I lose my recovery phrase? No — the recovery phrase is the only backup. Without it, funds cannot be recovered.

Is Ledger Live required? Ledger Live is recommended for easy account management, but the device can be used with compatible third-party wallets.

What if someone offers to help me set up? Only accept help from trusted people and never reveal the 24-word recovery phrase — not even to family.