A straightforward, safety-first walkthrough

Start with confidence.
Stay in control.

A clear, independent guide to setting up a Ledger hardware wallet, understanding your recovery phrase, and taking your first steps in self-custody.

Security begins with verifying every step yourself.
YOUR KEYS, YOUR RESPONSIBILITYVERIFY BEFORE YOU TRUSTKEEP YOUR RECOVERY PHRASE PRIVATE
01 / Getting started

A safer setup,
one step at a time.

Treat your recovery phrase like the master key to your digital assets. The setup process should happen privately, with no shortcuts and no one else involved.

01

Use official instructions

Start at ledger.com/start or follow the documentation included with your device. Confirm you are on the genuine Ledger domain before downloading software.

02

Set up your device yourself

Follow the on-screen prompts directly on your hardware wallet. Create your PIN privately. A legitimate setup should never require you to type your recovery phrase into a website or share it with support.

03

Write down your recovery phrase

Record the words in the order shown on the device and store them offline in a private, secure place. Do not photograph, email, message, or save the phrase in cloud storage.

04

Verify before moving assets

Review addresses on the device screen itself. Consider a small test transaction before a larger transfer, and make sure you understand network fees and the asset network you are using.

02 / Keep it secure

Your recovery phrase
is not a password reset.

Anyone who gets your recovery phrase may be able to access assets associated with it. Ledger support will not need your phrase to troubleshoot a device. If a person, message, app, or webpage asks for it, stop and verify through an official channel.

Read Ledger Academy

Never enter it online.
Only interact with recovery words when prompted directly on your trusted hardware device.

Ignore urgent messages.
Unsolicited requests to “validate” or “synchronize” your wallet are common scam tactics.

Check the address on-device.
Malware can change what appears on a computer screen. Confirm transaction details on your device.

03 / Official resources

Go straight to
the source.

For current instructions, product details, and support, consult Ledger’s official resources. This independent page is general education, not technical support or financial advice.

Unofficial website disclosure

This page is independently produced and is not the official Ledger website. “Ledger” is referenced only to identify the product discussed. We do not sell or support Ledger devices, collect recovery phrases, or provide investment, legal, or tax advice. Always verify information at ledger.com.