1. Unbox and Inspect
Confirm the Ledger packaging is sealed and the tamper-evident stickers are intact. If anything looks altered, stop and contact official Ledger support directly.
Ledger® Onboarding™ — Official Setup Hub
Welcome to the Ledger® Onboarding™ official setup hub — your one-stop page to initialize, secure, and start using your Ledger hardware wallet. This guide walks you through each step clearly so you can protect your digital assets with confidence. To begin the quick-launch process, follow the instructions and resources below or visit ledger.com/start.
Why onboarding correctly matters
A proper setup protects your cryptocurrency holdings by ensuring that your recovery phrase is generated and stored securely, your device firmware is genuine, and that only you control access. Ledger devices are specifically engineered to keep private keys offline; the steps you take during onboarding are the critical first line of defense.
Quick step-by-step setup
2. Power On & Initialize
Power up your device and choose “Set up as new device” if you haven’t set a recovery phrase yet. Keep devices connected only to trusted computers. For detailed steps and walkthrough videos, go to ledger.com/start.
3. Write Down Your Recovery Phrase
Your device will display a 24-word recovery phrase one word at a time. Write these words down in order — never store them digitally. This phrase is the ultimate backup to recover funds if your device is lost or damaged.
4. Set a Secure PIN
Choose a PIN you can remember, but not easily guessable. The PIN protects your device if it’s physically stolen. Do not share your PIN with anyone.
5. Install Ledger Live & Update Firmware
Download Ledger Live from the official site, install only genuine releases, and use it to update your device firmware and install apps for the cryptocurrencies you hold.
6. Receive & Verify
Always verify receiving addresses on the Ledger device screen itself before sending funds. This prevents man-in-the-middle or clipboard attacks from misdirecting transactions.
Security best practices
- Never enter your recovery phrase into a computer, phone, or online form.
- Never share your recovery phrase or PIN with anyone — Ledger support will never ask for them.
- Store your recovery phrase in a safe, fireproof location. Consider metal backups for long-term durability.
- Be cautious with third-party apps and browser extensions — only use trusted integrations and verify signatures where possible.
- Keep firmware updated through the official Ledger Live app to receive security improvements.
Troubleshooting & resources
If you encounter errors during setup, check cable connections, try a different USB port, or use another computer. For guided help, recovery tools, and official support articles, visit the onboarding page at ledger.com/start — it contains step-by-step videos and downloadable setup checklists.
Common issues:
- Device not detected: Try a different cable or USB port and ensure Ledger Live is up to date.
- Firmware update fails: Reboot the device and the computer, then retry with Ledger Live.
- Lost recovery phrase: If you have lost your recovery phrase and still have access to your device, create a new wallet and transfer funds safely — then write down the new phrase immediately.
Final notes
Setting up your Ledger device correctly is a simple process that pays dividends in security and peace of mind. Whether you’re storing Bitcoin, Ethereum, or other tokens, these initial steps ensure your keys remain in your control. If you prefer a visual walkthrough, the official hub at ledger.com/start hosts videos, downloadable guides, and contact info for official assistance.
Go to Ledger Onboarding