Get the official app
Download Ledger Wallet from Ledger’s official site or the verified app store listing. Check the publisher and URL before installing.
Find Ledger Wallet ↗YOUR FIRST STEPS, MADE CLEAR
Start with confidence.
Stay in control.
A thoughtful, step-by-step introduction to setting up a Ledger hardware wallet, protecting your recovery phrase, and making your first secure transaction.
Independent educational resource. Always verify instructions at Ledger.com.
01Own your keys. Take your time.
A critical security reminder
Your recovery phrase is yours alone.
Never share it, type it into a website, or store it in a photo or cloud document. Anyone who gets your recovery phrase can control your assets. Ledger support will never ask you for it.
THE SETUP, STEP BY STEP
From unboxing to
ready to manage.
Give yourself a few uninterrupted minutes. Follow the on-device prompts, and pause if anything looks unexpected.
Initialize your device
Connect your device and choose to set up as new. Follow the device’s own screen to choose a PIN and create a new wallet.
Your device screen is the source of truth.Write down your phrase
Record the recovery words in order on the supplied recovery sheet. Keep it private, offline, and somewhere secure.
Never share or digitize these words.Verify and explore
Complete the device’s recovery phrase check, then connect to Ledger Wallet and install only the asset apps you need.
Read and approve actions on-device.The setup is complete when your device confirms it and the app recognizes it.
Open official instructionsTHE ESSENTIALS
Security is a
daily practice.
Hardware wallets help keep private keys isolated, but safe habits are still essential. Use this short checklist whenever you manage digital assets.
Explore Ledger AcademyKeep the recovery phrase offline
Store it somewhere private and protected from damage. Avoid screenshots, password managers, email, and cloud storage.
Verify every transaction on-device
Check the address, network, and amount on your hardware wallet screen before approving. Do not rely only on a computer display.
Use trusted downloads and updates
Navigate to Ledger’s official website directly. Ignore unsolicited links, fake support accounts, and urgent messages.
Never share your PIN or recovery phrase
Legitimate support will not ask for either. Stop if an app, website, caller, or message asks you to enter or reveal them.
A QUICK PRIMER
What your hardware
wallet actually does.
A hardware wallet keeps the private keys used to authorize transactions protected within the device. The companion app helps you view balances and prepare actions; sensitive approvals happen on the device itself.
Your recovery phrase is a human-readable backup of those keys. It is not a password-reset code or customer-support credential. Treat it like the master key to your wallet.
Learn more about recovery phrases01
Keys stay protectedPrivate keys are secured by the device.
02
You approve on-deviceReview details before you confirm.
03
Your phrase stays privateOffline backup, never shared.
CLEAR ANSWERS
Getting started,
answered.
For the latest device-specific instructions and supported assets, check Ledger’s official help center.
Visit Ledger SupportWhat do I need before setting up a Ledger device?
Use your Ledger hardware wallet, a trusted computer or phone, and an internet connection. Download Ledger Wallet only from Ledger’s official website or the verified app store listing for your device. Keep your recovery phrase materials nearby, but never photograph, type, or share the phrase.
Does Ledger or Ledger Wallet need my recovery phrase?
No. Your 24-word recovery phrase is the offline backup to your wallet. Never enter it into a website, app, support chat, or computer. Only enter it directly on your hardware device when restoring a wallet, and only when you deliberately initiated that recovery.
What if I already have a recovery phrase?
Do not enter an existing phrase into a device that you did not initialize yourself or into any computer or phone. If you are restoring your own wallet, follow the official on-device recovery instructions and verify every word carefully in private.
Can I use a hardware wallet with every cryptocurrency?
Supported assets and networks vary. Install the relevant app through Ledger Wallet and check Ledger’s official asset support information before sending funds. Some assets are managed through compatible third-party apps; verify compatibility through official documentation first.
How can I tell whether a setup message is a scam?
Treat requests for your recovery phrase, PIN, or remote access as a scam. Ledger support will not ask you to share your recovery phrase. Avoid sponsored search ads and unsolicited links; type the official address yourself and confirm transaction details on your device screen.
WHEN YOU’RE READY
Take the next step.
Keep your security first.
For device-specific instructions, product details, and current support, go directly to Ledger’s official resources.
Continue at Ledger.com Always verify the address before connecting a wallet or managing assets.