In today’s digital world, securing your cryptocurrency is more important than ever. With the increasing number of hacks and phishing attempts, using a hardware wallet like Ledger is a smart move to protect your digital assets. Ledger wallets, such as the Nano S Plus, Nano X, and Ledger Stax, offer a secure, offline environment for storing private keys. Setting up your device properly is essential, and this guide walks you through every step of that process.
When you receive your Ledger hardware wallet, check the contents of the box. You should have:
Make sure the box hasn’t been tampered with. Ledger devices come with a secure chip, and the initial setup ensures no pre-installed firmware, reducing tampering risks.
To begin, install Ledger Live, the official companion app for your Ledger device. Ledger Live is available for Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android. It allows you to set up your device, install cryptocurrency apps, manage your accounts, and track your portfolio—all in one place.
Once you’ve installed Ledger Live on your computer or phone, open it and click on “Get Started.”
Ledger Live will ask you which device you’re setting up. Select the correct model. You’ll then have two options:
For new users, choose to set up a new device.
Once setup begins, your Ledger device will ask you to choose a 4 to 8-digit PIN code. This PIN unlocks the device and protects it from unauthorized access. Every time you connect your Ledger, you’ll need this PIN.
Use the buttons on your Ledger device to scroll through numbers and confirm your PIN. Be sure to pick something memorable to you but hard to guess for others.
After setting the PIN, your Ledger device will display a 24-word recovery phrase, one word at a time. This phrase is the only way to recover your crypto if your Ledger is lost, stolen, or damaged.
Without this phrase, you cannot recover your funds if the device is reset.
After writing down all 24 words, your Ledger device will ask you to confirm the phrase by selecting each word in the correct order. This ensures you've copied it accurately and understand its importance.
Once confirmed, the device will finish its initialization and be ready for use.
Back in the Ledger Live app, you’ll now install apps for the cryptocurrencies you plan to use—such as Bitcoin, Ethereum, or Litecoin.
Each app enables you to receive, send, and manage a specific crypto asset.
Now that your Ledger is ready and apps are installed, you can start managing your crypto:
To receive funds, go to the “Receive” tab, select an account, and copy the address shown. Always double-check that the address on the Ledger screen matches the one in Ledger Live before sending any funds.
Setting up your Ledger device properly ensures your crypto assets are protected against online threats and human error. With your private keys stored securely offline, your Ledger wallet puts you in full control. Just remember—your recovery phrase is your lifeline. Store it wisely, use your Ledger responsibly, and enjoy the peace of mind that comes with knowing your crypto is safe.
Would you like this formatted as a printable document or blog post?