A practical self-custody guide
Ledger.com/Start® | Getting Started| Ledger®®
Set up your Ledger hardware wallet with care, install the right companion app, and learn the essential security steps before managing digital assets. This independent getting-started overview explains the usual setup journey and points you toward official resources when you need product-specific help.
Ledger devices are designed to keep private keys protected on a dedicated device while you review and approve transactions. Your recovery phrase is the backup to that access. Setup is straightforward when you slow down, follow the on-device instructions, and keep that phrase private.
Prepare first
Before you begin
Unbox the device yourself and inspect the packaging. A new wallet should not arrive with a prewritten recovery phrase, and nobody should ask you to share one. Charge or connect the device as directed in its product guide, then use a trusted computer or phone and a private network. Bookmark Ledger’s official website by typing the address yourself rather than following an unexpected message or sponsored search result.
Give yourself uninterrupted time. Choose a secure place to write down the recovery words supplied during setup, and keep them offline. Never photograph, email, cloud-store, or type the phrase into a website, support chat, or “verification” form.
Get the companion app
Install Ledger Live from an official source
For desktop, visit Ledger’s official website and choose the Ledger Live Desktop download that matches your operating system. On mobile, use the official app-store listing linked from Ledger’s website. Check the publisher and address before installing; lookalike downloads can imitate familiar names.
The Ledger Live app guides device initialization, firmware checks, account management, and supported asset features. Follow the prompts shown in the app and confirm sensitive actions on the hardware wallet itself. Keep the app and device firmware up to date using official release paths.
Initialize securely
Complete your Ledger wallet setup
Open the companion app and connect your device. Select the option to set up a new device, then follow its on-screen steps to create a PIN. The device will display a recovery phrase in sequence. Write every word in order on the recovery sheet, check it carefully, and complete the device’s verification. The phrase is the master backup to your wallet: anyone who obtains it may be able to access assets, so Ledger support will never need you to disclose it.
When setup is finished, use Ledger Live to add only accounts and assets supported by your device and region. Read every transaction on the wallet screen—including the destination and amount—before approving. A computer display can be manipulated; the device is where you should verify the details.
Use trusted access
Ledger Live login and account access
Open Ledger Live only from the app you installed through an official channel and connect your device when prompted. A PIN protects access to the physical wallet; it is not the same as your recovery phrase. Do not enter your recovery words to “log in,” synchronize, unlock, or validate a wallet on a website. Close suspicious pop-ups and verify unexpected requests directly through official support pages.
Searches for Ledger.com start, Ledger Live Login, Ledger Live App Download, or Ledger Wallet Extension can surface imitation pages. Verify web addresses letter by letter. If you are unsure whether an extension or third-party integration is genuine and supported, do not connect your wallet or approve a transaction until you confirm it through Ledger’s official help center.
A simple security checklist
Keep control of your recovery phrase
- Keep recovery words private, offline, and physically secure.
- Never share the phrase with anyone, including someone claiming to be support.
- Verify addresses and transaction details on your hardware wallet screen.
- Download Ledger Live Desktop or mobile only from links reached through Ledger’s official website.
There is no legitimate “support” step that requires you to send your recovery phrase. If it has been exposed, treat the wallet as compromised and consult official Ledger guidance immediately from a trusted device.
Quick answers
Frequently asked questions
Where should I start my Ledger wallet setup?
Type Ledger’s official website address into your browser and follow its current getting-started and product instructions. Avoid links in unsolicited messages or unverified advertisements.
Where can I download Ledger Live?
Use the download links from Ledger’s official website for Ledger Live Desktop, or follow its link to the official mobile app-store listing. Confirm the publisher before installing.
Is Ledger Live Login a website login?
Access Ledger Live through the installed application and connect your device as directed. Never enter recovery words into a website or share them as a login credential.
What should I do with my recovery phrase?
Write it down offline during setup, verify the order on the device, and store it somewhere private and secure. Never photograph, upload, or disclose it.
Should I install a Ledger Wallet Extension?
Do not assume a browser extension is official based on its name. Confirm support and download instructions through Ledger’s official website before connecting a wallet.
Can I recover access if my device is lost?
A replacement device may be restored using your recovery phrase, following official instructions. Only enter the phrase directly on a genuine recovery device—not into a computer, website, or support conversation.
For model-specific steps, compatibility, and the latest download links, consult Ledger’s official support resources. This page is an independent educational guide and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Ledger.