Get Started With Your Ledger Hardware Wallet
Get Started With Your Ledger Hardware Wallet
Welcome to Ledger Start — your first step toward securely managing your crypto assets with a Ledger hardware wallet. Set up your Ledger device, download the official Ledger Wallet™ app, and start managing your digital assets with greater control and confidence.
Whether you're setting up a Ledger device for the first time or restoring access to an existing wallet, this guide walks you through the essential steps to get started securely.
Setting up your Ledger hardware wallet is simple. Follow the steps below to initialize your device and connect it to Ledger Wallet™.
Before starting the setup process, make sure you have your Ledger hardware wallet, the supplied USB cable, and a compatible computer or mobile device.
Only use an authentic Ledger device purchased from Ledger or an authorized reseller. If your package or device appears damaged or tampered with, contact official Ledger Support before continuing.
Download Ledger Wallet™ from the official Ledger website or an official mobile app store.
Ledger Wallet™ is the companion application for managing your Ledger device and digital assets. It allows you to access your accounts, manage supported crypto assets, and interact with blockchain services.
Download Ledger Wallet for Your Device
Windows: Download the official desktop application.
macOS: Install Ledger Wallet on your Mac.
Linux: Use the compatible Linux version.
iOS: Download Ledger Wallet from the official App Store.
Android: Download Ledger Wallet from Google Play.
Always verify that you are downloading Ledger software from an official source. Avoid unofficial websites, third-party downloads, or links sent through unsolicited messages.
Connect your Ledger hardware wallet to your computer or compatible device using the supplied cable.
Open Ledger Wallet™ and follow the on-screen instructions to begin setting up your device.
Your Ledger device will guide you through the initialization process. Follow each instruction carefully and never enter your Secret Recovery Phrase into a website, app, computer, or phone.
During setup, you may be given the option to create a new wallet or restore an existing wallet.
If you are creating a new wallet, your Ledger device will generate a Secret Recovery Phrase. This phrase is extremely important because it provides a backup for your wallet.
If you are restoring an existing wallet, only enter your Secret Recovery Phrase directly on your Ledger device when prompted.
Never Share Your Secret Recovery Phrase
Your Secret Recovery Phrase is private.
Ledger Support will never ask you to provide your recovery phrase. Never share it with another person, type it into a website, or enter it into an untrusted application.
Anyone who obtains your recovery phrase may be able to access your crypto assets.
Choose a PIN for your Ledger device and keep it private.
Your PIN helps protect access to the physical device. Keep your Ledger hardware wallet and recovery information in secure locations and never disclose your PIN or Secret Recovery Phrase.
Once your Ledger device is initialized, use Ledger Wallet™ to install the appropriate blockchain applications for the assets you want to manage.
Depending on your device and supported assets, you can use Ledger Wallet™ to manage cryptocurrencies and interact with supported blockchain networks and services.
A Ledger hardware wallet is designed to provide an additional layer of security for managing digital assets.
With a hardware wallet, your private keys are kept on the Ledger device rather than being exposed through a conventional online wallet environment.
This approach helps reduce exposure to online threats while giving you direct control over your crypto assets.
Always carefully review transaction information displayed on your Ledger device before approving a transaction.
If the information displayed on your device does not match what you intended to do, reject the transaction.
Ledger Wallet™ provides a central interface for managing supported digital assets and interacting with your Ledger device.
Depending on the services and assets available in your region, you can use Ledger Wallet™ to send, receive, buy, sell, swap, stake, and manage crypto through supported providers.
Security starts with your setup. Follow these best practices whenever you initialize or use your Ledger device.
Download Ledger Wallet™ only from official Ledger sources or official mobile application stores.
Never install software from links provided by unknown websites, social media accounts, emails, or unsolicited messages.
Write down your Secret Recovery Phrase during setup and store it somewhere secure and private.
Do not:
Take a screenshot of your recovery phrase.
Store it in email or cloud storage.
Send it through messaging apps.
Enter it into a website.
Share it with Ledger Support or anyone else.
Before approving a transaction, carefully check the information displayed on your Ledger device.
Your device screen should be treated as the final verification point before you authorize a transaction.
Scammers may impersonate Ledger employees or support representatives.
Be especially cautious if someone asks for your:
Secret Recovery Phrase
PIN
Password
Device credentials
Remote access to your computer
Wallet transfer
Never give your Secret Recovery Phrase to anyone.
After completing your Ledger setup, you can use Ledger Wallet™ to access a range of supported crypto features.
Manage supported cryptocurrency accounts and send or receive digital assets while confirming transactions through your Ledger device.
Depending on your location and available third-party providers, Ledger Wallet™ can provide access to crypto purchase and selling services.
Exchange supported crypto assets through available services directly from the Ledger ecosystem.
Explore available staking services for supported assets and networks through compatible providers.
Connect your Ledger device with supported Web3 applications while keeping transaction approval under your control.
Ledger.com/start is the official Ledger starting point for setting up a Ledger hardware wallet and getting the software needed to manage your device.
Always check that you are visiting the official ledger.com domain before downloading Ledger software or entering any information.
You can download Ledger Wallet™ through official Ledger channels for supported desktop and mobile operating systems.
Avoid downloading Ledger software from unofficial websites or links received through unsolicited messages.
To set up a Ledger hardware wallet, download the official Ledger Wallet™ app, connect your Ledger device, follow the instructions shown on your device and application, and securely record your Secret Recovery Phrase.
A Secret Recovery Phrase is a backup that can be used to restore access to a crypto wallet.
It must be kept private and secure. Never share it with another person or enter it into a website or online form.
Cryptocurrency exists on blockchain networks. A Ledger hardware wallet is designed to help you securely manage the private keys used to control your digital assets.
Your Ledger device is used to authorize transactions rather than functioning as a traditional bank account that stores physical currency.
If you have securely retained your correct Secret Recovery Phrase, you may be able to restore access to your wallet using a compatible Ledger device or supported wallet.
Never attempt to recover a wallet by giving your recovery phrase to another person or an online service.
Setting up your Ledger hardware wallet is the first step toward taking greater control of your digital assets.
Download the official Ledger Wallet™ app, initialize your Ledger device, secure your Secret Recovery Phrase, and always verify transactions before approving them.
Visit Ledger.com/start and follow the official setup instructions to begin managing your digital assets with Ledger.