Ledger.com/Start — First Steps to Own Your Crypto
A concise, practical guide that gets you from unboxing to confident custody — without jargon, without shortcuts.
Ledger is built around one belief: your crypto keys should be under your control. This page walks you through the essential first steps — powering on your device, creating a recovery phrase, and connecting to Ledger Live — using clear guidance and safety-first practices you can follow in under 20 minutes. Read each step completely, keep your recovery phrase private, and take a breath: every careful step you take now protects your assets later.
Unbox and verify
Start by confirming the package seal and checking that the device looks like the official Ledger model you ordered. Ledger hardware wallets ship with tamper-evident packaging — if anything looks altered, stop and reach out to Ledger support rather than continuing. Power the device, and follow on-screen prompts; the tiny screen is intentional — it keeps your most sensitive actions physically visible and separate from your phone or computer.
Initialize and create your recovery phrase
When the device asks, choose to set it up as a new device. You will be shown a 24-word recovery phrase — write each word on the supplied recovery card exactly as displayed, in order. Do not photograph, screenshot, or store these words digitally. This phrase is the master key: anyone who has it can access your funds. Consider creating a duplicate copy stored in a separate secure location (for example, a safe). Never share the phrase with anyone, and ignore unsolicited requests for it — Ledger support will never ask for your recovery phrase.
Install Ledger Live and add accounts
Install Ledger Live on your computer or phone from ledger.com (always type the address yourself rather than following unknown links). Ledger Live helps you manage apps that run on your device, lets you add crypto accounts, and displays balances. When adding an account, the device will ask you to approve the action — approvals must be confirmed on the device screen. This two-step approval ensures that signing transactions cannot be done remotely without your physical confirmation.
Practical safety habits
Use a dedicated password manager for any exchange passwords, enable two-factor authentication where available, and treat your recovery phrase like gold: keep it offline, out of sight, and split across secure locations if that suits your risk model. Do periodic checks — confirm that the wallet firmware is current and that you recognize the apps installed on the device. If you ever suspect compromise or loss, move your funds to a new device with a new recovery phrase as soon as possible.
When you're ready: small steps, increasing confidence
Begin by transferring a small test amount to an account you control. Practice sending and receiving until the workflow feels natural. As you gain confidence, add larger amounts and take advantage of Ledger’s advanced features: multiple accounts, delegations (where supported), and connection to decentralized apps using Ledger as the secure signer. The core principle: confirm every transaction on the device screen, and never rush the secure steps.