Getting Started with Ledger: Official Setup Guide

Introduction: Why Use a Ledger Hardware Wallet

Ledger hardware wallets (like the Ledger Nano X, Nano S Plus, or Stax) are physical devices designed to securely store your cryptocurrency private keys completely offline. By isolating keys on a secure element (a dedicated chip), Ledger devices protect your assets from online threats such as malware or phishing. However, their effectiveness depends critically on correct initial setup. That’s why Ledger.com/start is your official, trusted onboard portal for downloading the right software, initializing your device, and following security best practices. faq-en-ledger.teachable.com+2Teachable+2

What You’ll Need Before You Start

Before you begin, make sure you have all the essentials. According to Ledger’s official instructions: get-started-ledgercom.teachable.com+2Begin Ledger Ed+2

  1. A genuine Ledger device — e.g., Nano X, Nano S Plus, or Stax.
  2. USB cable, usually included in the box (or Bluetooth support in the case of Nano X).
  3. A desktop or mobile device (laptop, phone) with an internet connection.
  4. A quiet, private place to do the setup — especially when writing down your recovery phrase.
  5. A pen and the recovery sheet, or other trusted medium — to note down the 24‑word recovery phrase. Teachable+1

Also, make sure you bought your Ledger from a trusted source (Ledger.com or authorized retailers). Tampered or counterfeit devices are a real risk.

Step 1: Unbox and Verify Your Device

  1. Open the box carefully and inspect the packaging. The seal should be intact and “tamper-evident.” Begin Ledger Ed+1
  2. Inside, you should see:
  1. If anything seems suspicious — broken seal, missing parts, or signs of prior use — do not proceed. Contact Ledger support immediately.

Step 2: Go to the Official Start Page

  1. On your computer or phone, open a web browser and go to ledger.com/start
  2. . faq-en-ledger.teachable.com+2Teachable+2
  3. Verify the URL carefully. Make sure:
  • It begins with https://
  • The domain is ledger.com
  • There is a secure lock icon in the address bar
     This helps you avoid phishing sites that mimic Ledger. faq-en-ledger.teachable.com
  1. On this page, select your device model (Nano X, Nano S Plus, Stax, etc.). The instructions may vary slightly by device. faq-en-ledger.teachable.com

Step 3: Download Ledger Live

  1. From Ledger.com/start, find the download link for Ledger Live, the companion app that allows you to manage your crypto. get-started-ledgercom.teachable.com+1
  2. Choose the correct version for your platform:
  1. Download only from the official site — do not download Ledger Live from third-party sources. This avoids malicious or fake versions. faq-en-ledger.teachable.com+1
  2. Install Ledger Live on your device following standard application installation steps.

Step 4: Initialize Your Ledger Device

  1. Connect your Ledger wallet to your computer or mobile device:
  1. Power on the device; it should welcome you with a screen.
  2. On the device, choose “Set up as new device” (unless you are restoring from an existing recovery phrase). get-started-ledgercom.teachable.com
  3. Set a PIN code:
  • You will be asked to choose a 4–8 digit PIN directly on the device. guide-faq-ledger.teachable.com
  • Confirm the PIN by re-entering it.
  • Important: This PIN protects access to the device; if someone has your device, they can’t use it without this PIN. Begin Ledger Ed

Step 5: Create and Secure Your Recovery Phrase

  1. After PIN setup, the device will generate a 24‑word recovery phrase. This is perhaps the most critical step. guide-faq-ledger.teachable.com
  2. Write down the 24 words exactly as shown, in order, on the recovery sheet provided in the box. Do not store these words digitally or take photos or screenshots. Ledger Education
  3. Securely store the written recovery phrase in a safe, offline place — ideally somewhere fireproof, waterproof, and inaccessible to others. Ledger strongly advises against sharing this phrase with anyone. Ledger Education
  4. Next, the device will ask you to confirm the recovery phrase by selecting some words in the correct order. This ensures that you have copied them correctly. guide-faq-ledger.teachable.com

Step 6: Pair with Ledger Live

  1. After confirming the recovery phrase, open Ledger Live on your computer or phone.
  2. In Ledger Live, choose “Get Started” → Select Your Device (e.g., Nano X, S Plus). get-started-ledgercom.teachable.com
  3. Follow the on-screen instructions to pair your device with Ledger Live.
  4. Ledger Live will run a genuine device check (“secure boot” or integrity check) to verify that your hardware wallet is genuine. get-started-ledgercom.teachable.com+1
  5. Optionally, Ledger Live may ask to set a password for the app — this is separate from the device PIN and helps protect access to the Ledger Live software itself. DigiBit

Step 7: Install Cryptocurrency Apps on Your Device

  1. Once your device is paired and verified, go to the Manager section in Ledger Live. get-started-ledgercom.teachable.com
  2. Here, you will find a list of supported cryptocurrency apps (for example: Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, etc.). get-started-ledgercom.teachable.com
  3. Install the apps you need by clicking “Install” next to each crypto. This puts only the necessary blockchain apps on your hardware wallet, so it can manage those assets securely.

Step 8: Add Crypto Accounts in Ledger Live

  1. After installing apps, switch to the Accounts (or Portfolio) section in Ledger Live. get-started-ledgercom.teachable.com
  2. Click “Add Account”, then choose the cryptocurrency for which you installed the app. get-started-ledgercom.teachable.com
  3. Ledger Live will read your public addresses (via the device), and sync the account so you can view balances and transactions.
  4. You can add multiple accounts, even for the same asset (for example, separate Ethereum accounts). get-started-ledgercom.teachable.com

Step 9: Managing Your Crypto: Send, Receive, Stake, and More

Once your accounts are set up:

  • Send or receive cryptocurrency by selecting the appropriate account, and using the “Send / Receive” functions in Ledger Live. Every time you perform a transaction, you must approve the transaction on your hardware device — this ensures that even if your computer is compromised, you have the final sign-off. Teachable
  • Portfolio tracking: You can check your overall holdings and value inside Ledger Live. Ledger Education
  • Staking (if supported): For certain cryptocurrencies (like Ethereum, Polkadot, Tezos), Ledger Live integrates staking features. Teachable
  • Crypto buying / exchanging: Ledger Live may allow you to buy or sell crypto via third-party partners (like MoonPay, Coinify, etc.) depending on your region. get-started-ledgercom.teachable.com

Step 10: Restoring Your Wallet (If Needed)

If you ever lose or break your Ledger device, you can restore your wallet on a new Ledger (or some compatible wallet) using your 24-word recovery phrase:

  1. Connect the new Ledger device.
  2. During setup, choose “Restore device” instead of “Set up as new.” get-started-ledgercom.teachable.com
  3. Enter your 24 recovery words when prompted — directly on the device, never via a computer or phone. get-started-ledgercom.teachable.com
  4. Once restored, open Ledger Live, re-pair the device, and reinstall the crypto apps as before. After that, add your accounts again, and Ledger Live will resync the balances. get-started-ledgercom.teachable.com

Security Best Practices

Following the official Ledger setup is just the first step — maintaining strong security practices is equally critical. Here are key recommendations:

  1. Always start at Ledger.com/start when setting up or updating your Ledger. This avoids phishing or malicious websites. Ledger Help+1
  2. Never share your 24-word recovery phrase. Ledger support will never ask for it. Ledger Education
  3. Do not store your recovery phrase digitally — no screenshots, no cloud storage, no plaintext files.
  4. Update your firmware and Ledger Live app regularly. Ledger publishes firmware updates to patch vulnerabilities; always do them via Ledger Live. get-started-ledgercom.teachable.com
  5. Beware phishing and fake apps: Only download Ledger Live from the official Ledger website. faq-en-ledger.teachable.com
  6. Use a strong PIN, and do not choose an obvious or easily guessable one. guide-faq-ledger.teachable.com
  7. For additional security, consider using the passphrase feature, which acts like a “25th word” to create a hidden wallet (vault). get-started-ledgercom.teachable.com
  8. Store backups in secure, physical locations — multiple copies if needed.
  9. Verify every transaction on the device screen before approving; do not trust your computer alone.

Troubleshooting & Support

  • If you encounter any issues during setup, Ledger.com/start offers a support portal, help articles, and video tutorials. Ledger Education
  • Ledger’s support team will never ask for your recovery phrase or PIN in support tickets. Be wary of anyone who does. Ledger Education
  • In case of connectivity issues (device not detected by Ledger Live), check your USB cable, try a different port, or restart your computer / phone.

Summary & Why This Matters

Setting up your Ledger hardware wallet correctly is absolutely crucial — because any mistake can compromise the security of your crypto. By following the official Ledger.com/start workflow, you:

  • Ensure you’re using genuine software (Ledger Live)
  • Initialize your device securely
  • Generate and secure your 24-word recovery phrase safely
  • Link your device to Ledger Live for managing your crypto
  • Maintain full control over private keys (they never leave your Ledger device) Teachable

When done correctly, your Ledger gives you strong protection: offline storage, hardware verification for all transactions, and an effective backup method in case of loss. This is how you build a solid foundation for managing your digital assets with confidence.