Official Site® | Ledger.com/Start* — Getting started* with handling

A concise, clear walkthrough to set up your Ledger hardware wallet and Ledger Live safely.

This presentation covers the essentials you need to get started with Ledger hardware and the Ledger Live ecosystem. It is structured for clarity — each section uses hierarchical headings (h1 → h5) so you can quickly scan or present the slides. The focus is practical: unbox, initialize, secure your recovery phrase, install Ledger Live, connect your accounts, and best security practices.

1. What you'll need before you start

Core items

Make sure you have the Ledger device (Ledger Nano S Plus or Ledger Nano X), a compatible computer or mobile phone, and the USB or Bluetooth accessories included in the box. A stable internet connection is required to download Ledger Live and sync accounts.

Checklist

Tip

Only download Ledger Live from the official Ledger domain. Do not follow links in unsolicited emails or social messages.

2. Unboxing and initial power-on

Inspect the package

Check the box seal and packaging for tamper indicators. Ledger packages include clear instructions and a sealed security sticker — if anything appears tampered, contact Ledger support immediately.

Powering on

Connect your device, follow the on-screen prompts to choose a PIN, and make sure you read each device confirmation step. The device will never ask you to share your PIN or recovery phrase online.

UX note

Ledger's screen and buttons are the source of truth — always confirm sensitive actions on the device, not the computer.

3. Recovery phrase — creation and safekeeping

Generate your recovery phrase

During setup the device will generate a 24-word recovery phrase (some models may use 12 or 24 words depending on configuration). Write these words down on the supplied recovery sheet immediately and store them offline in a secure location.

Security best practice

Warning

Anyone with your recovery phrase can access your crypto. Ledger or any legitimate service will never ask for it.

4. Installing and using Ledger Live

Download and install

Go to Ledger.com/Start to download Ledger Live for desktop or mobile. Install the application and follow the setup wizard which will guide you to pair your device, add accounts, and install apps for specific blockchains.

Adding accounts

Within Ledger Live, choose the cryptocurrency (Bitcoin, Ethereum, etc.), then follow steps to add an account. The device will confirm addresses on-screen for each critical transaction.

Syncing

Ledger Live synchronizes with blockchain data sources — allow it to finish sync for correct balances and transaction history.

5. Everyday operations & security reminders

Sending and receiving

Always verify the receiving address shown on your Ledger device screen. When sending, confirm amounts and destination on-device before approving the transaction.

Firmware and app updates

Keep your device firmware and Ledger Live up to date. Install updates only via Ledger Live and confirm updates on-device.

Phishing resilience

Beware of fake sites, browser extensions, and social engineering. Use official links and rely on device confirmations only.

Official links & resources

Use only the official Ledger resources below when you need downloads, support, or documentation.