Welcome — set up your Ledger and protect your crypto
Ledger devices give you a simple, private and bulletproof way to store the private keys that control your digital assets. This page walks you through everything from unboxing to first backup, and helps you verify your device’s authenticity so you’re never on the internet alone.
Why choose a hardware wallet?
Unlike exchanges or software wallets, a hardware wallet keeps the keys that sign transactions in a dedicated secure element — a tamper-resistant chip — away from your computer or phone. That means even if your computer is compromised, attackers cannot exfiltrate your seed or sign transactions without physical access to your device.
Air-gapped security
Your private keys never leave the device.
Recovery seed
A human-readable 24-word backup to recover your accounts.
This quick-start covers the essential steps: authenticate your device, initialize and set a PIN, write down your recovery phrase and connect to Ledger Live. If you already have a seed from another wallet, you can import it securely on your device instead.
1
Unbox and inspect. Check the tamper-evident packaging and the device serial number. If anything looks suspicious stop and contact support.
2
Power on & authenticate. Follow the on-device instructions and verify the manufacturer message shown during boot.
3
Create a PIN. Choose a PIN you’ll remember — avoid simple sequences. This PIN is required to unlock the device.
4
Write your recovery phrase. Your 24-word seed is the only backup — write it down on the provided recovery sheet and store it offline.
5
Install Ledger Live. Download Ledger Live on your desktop or mobile to manage apps and accounts; verify the app’s checksum from the official site.
Security checklist
Never share your 24 words with anyone or type them into a website.
Buy devices only from official channels or authorized resellers.
Verify device authenticity when prompted during first boot.
Use a unique PIN and enable any available additional protections (passphrase).
Store backups in multiple secure, offline locations.
FAQ
Q: What if my device is lost or stolen? A: Your funds remain recoverable using your 24-word recovery phrase on a compatible hardware wallet. If you suspect the phrase was exposed, move funds to a new wallet immediately.
Q: Can Ledger recover my lost seed? A: No. Ledger cannot and will never ask for your recovery phrase. Ledger support can guide but cannot restore funds without your seed.