You just bought (or are thinking about) a Ledger hardware wallet. This page walks you through everything: what a Ledger does, why hardware security matters, step-by-step setup, safety best practices, and tips for day-to-day use — all written plainly so you can start confidently and securely.
Make sure the box seal is intact. Ledger ships devices in tamper-evident packaging. If anything looks altered, contact the place you bought it from before proceeding.
Plug in your Ledger and follow the on-device prompts to choose a secure PIN. Choose a PIN you can remember but that others won't guess. If you forget the PIN, the device will erase and you'll need your recovery phrase to restore.
The device will display 12 or 24 words one after another. Write them down exactly in the order shown. This is the single most important backup — treat it like gold. Do not photograph it, store it digitally, or share it with anyone.
To ensure you recorded the words correctly, the device will ask you to confirm a few words. This step verifies your copy of the phrase matches the device.
On your computer or phone, install the official Ledger Live app. Open it, and choose “Initialize a new device” (or "Restore device" if you already have a recovery phrase from another device). Ledger Live guides you through installing apps for coins you plan to manage.
Use Ledger Live to add accounts for Bitcoin, Ethereum, and other supported coins. When you receive funds, Ledger Live shows a receive address. Verify the receive address on the device screen before sending assets; the device signs and verifies addresses to prevent malware tampering.
Store the written recovery phrase in a secure place (multiple copies in different secure locations can be wise). Consider steel seed storage for fire/water protection. If you plan to distribute responsibility, research and use secure multi-party custody or trusted estate planning techniques.
Software wallets running on phones or computers are convenient, but they are more exposed to malware, phishing, and OS vulnerabilities. Hardware wallets keep your private keys in a dedicated secure element. Even if your computer is compromised, the private key never leaves the device — transactions are signed inside the Ledger and only the signed transaction is transmitted.
This isolation dramatically reduces your attack surface and gives you confident, verifiable control over your assets.
If you lose your Ledger, your funds are still protected by your recovery phrase and PIN. Use another compatible device and choose “Restore device” during setup to recover using your recovery phrase.
No. Public addresses are meant to be shared to receive funds. Private keys and recovery phrases control spending — keep those secret.
Official firmware updates improve security. Only update through Ledger Live or the official instructions. Do not accept firmware prompts from unknown sources.
Yes. Ledger supports many coins and tokens. Install the specific apps for each coin in Ledger Live and add corresponding accounts to manage them.
Follow the setup guide above, keep your recovery phrase private, and use Ledger Live for updates and account management. If you want a printable quick-start, click the button below to download a condensed PDF checklist.