Secure your cryptocurrency with the world's most trusted hardware wallet. Follow our step-by-step guide to set up your device and protect your digital assets.
Complete these steps to secure your crypto
Follow these detailed steps to securely set up your Ledger hardware wallet and protect your cryptocurrency investments. Each step includes important security considerations and best practices.
Estimated time: 5 minutes
Your Ledger hardware wallet comes with everything you need to get started. Inside the box, you'll find your Ledger device, a USB cable, recovery sheets, and a quick start guide. Before proceeding, ensure your device is genuine by checking the security seal and verifying the packaging hasn't been tampered with.
The Ledger Nano S Plus and Ledger Nano X are the most popular models, each offering bank-level security for your cryptocurrency holdings. The device uses a secure element chip, the same technology used in credit cards and passports, to protect your private keys from physical and digital attacks.
When you first handle your device, you'll notice its compact design and sturdy build quality. The screen will remain blank until you connect it to power and begin the setup process. This is normal behavior and indicates that your device is in its factory state.
Ledger hardware wallets provide uncompromising security for your cryptocurrency investments. Our devices use cutting-edge technology to protect your digital assets from every possible threat.
Military-grade security with the same technology used in credit cards and passports. Your private keys are stored in an isolated, tamper-resistant environment that's immune to physical and digital attacks.
Your cryptocurrency remains completely offline, protected from hackers, malware, and online threats. Private keys never leave your device, ensuring maximum security for your digital assets.
Every transaction is displayed on your device screen for manual verification. You can see exactly what you're signing before confirming, preventing malicious software from stealing your funds.
Multi-layer authentication with customizable PIN codes. After three incorrect attempts, your device automatically resets, protecting your cryptocurrency from unauthorized access attempts.
Industry-standard BIP39 recovery phrase ensures you can always restore your wallet. Your 24-word backup works with any compatible hardware or software wallet, providing ultimate flexibility.
Manage over 5,500 cryptocurrencies and tokens from a single device. Support for Bitcoin, Ethereum, and thousands of altcoins with regular updates adding new blockchain networks.
Join over 5 million users who trust Ledger to secure their cryptocurrency
Get answers to the most common questions about Ledger hardware wallets, setup process, and cryptocurrency security.
A Ledger hardware wallet is a physical device that stores your cryptocurrency private keys offline, providing the highest level of security for your digital assets. Unlike software wallets that store keys on internet-connected devices, hardware wallets keep your keys in a secure element chip that's completely isolated from online threats.
You need a hardware wallet because it protects you from the most common cryptocurrency theft methods: malware, phishing attacks, exchange hacks, and computer viruses. Even if your computer is compromised, your cryptocurrency remains safe because the private keys never leave the hardware device. This "cold storage" approach has proven to be the most secure method for long-term cryptocurrency storage.
Ledger devices also provide transaction verification through their built-in screens, allowing you to visually confirm every transaction before signing it. This prevents malicious software from stealing your funds by changing transaction details without your knowledge.
Setting up your Ledger device involves six main steps that take approximately 30 minutes to complete:
1. Unbox and verify: Check the security seal and ensure your device is genuine 2. Download Ledger Live: Install the official companion app from ledger.com 3. Set PIN code: Choose a 4-8 digit PIN that only you know 4. Write recovery phrase: Carefully record your 24-word backup phrase 5. Install crypto apps: Add apps for cryptocurrencies you want to manage 6. Create accounts: Generate addresses for receiving cryptocurrency
The most critical step is writing down your 24-word recovery phrase. This phrase can restore your entire wallet if your device is lost or damaged, but anyone with access to it can steal your cryptocurrency. Store it securely offline, preferably in multiple locations.
Never skip the verification steps or rush through the setup process. Taking time to properly configure your device ensures maximum security for your digital assets.
If you lose your Ledger device or it becomes damaged, your cryptocurrency is not lost. Your funds are secured by your 24-word recovery phrase, which can restore your entire wallet on any compatible device.
Here's what to do if your device is lost or damaged:
1. Don't panic: Your crypto is safe as long as you have your recovery phrase 2. Get a new device: Purchase a new Ledger device or use any BIP39-compatible wallet 3. Restore your wallet: Enter your 24-word recovery phrase during setup 4. Reinstall apps: Download the cryptocurrency apps you were using 5. Access your funds: Your accounts and balances will be fully restored
This is why your recovery phrase is more important than the physical device itself. The device is just a tool to access your cryptocurrency; the recovery phrase is what actually controls your funds.
If you suspect someone else might have access to your recovery phrase, immediately transfer your cryptocurrency to a new wallet with a fresh recovery phrase.
Ledger devices support over 5,500 cryptocurrencies and tokens, making them one of the most comprehensive hardware wallet solutions available. This includes all major cryptocurrencies and thousands of smaller altcoins.
New cryptocurrencies are regularly added through Ledger Live updates. If a specific cryptocurrency isn't directly supported, you can often manage it through compatible third-party wallet software that works with Ledger devices.
Each cryptocurrency requires its own app to be installed on your device, but you can manage multiple cryptocurrencies simultaneously by installing multiple apps.
Your 24-word recovery phrase is the master key to your cryptocurrency and requires the highest level of security. This phrase is generated using industry-standard cryptographic methods and represents billions of possible combinations, making it virtually impossible to guess.
Remember: Ledger will never ask for your recovery phrase, and legitimate support will never request it. Anyone asking for your recovery phrase is attempting to steal your cryptocurrency.
Yes, Ledger devices are compatible with numerous third-party wallet applications beyond Ledger Live. This compatibility gives you flexibility in how you manage your cryptocurrency while maintaining the security benefits of hardware storage.
Your Ledger device acts as a secure signing device regardless of which wallet software you use. The private keys remain safely stored on your hardware device, while the wallet software provides the interface for managing your accounts.
When using third-party wallets, always verify transaction details on your Ledger device screen before confirming. This ensures that what you see in the wallet software matches what you're actually signing, protecting you from malicious software or compromised interfaces.
Our support team is here to help you with any questions about your Ledger device.