Full guide — from unboxing to daily use
This hands-on guide (approx. 1500 words) walks newcomers and returning users through the full Ledger onboarding experience — with security best practices and troubleshooting tips at every step.
Unbox & inspect
When your Ledger arrives, check packaging for tamper evidence. Ledger ships devices in sealed, standard packaging. If you notice broken seals or anything suspicious, do not use the device and contact support.
Initialize your Ledger device
Power on the device and choose 'Set up as new device' if you are new. Choose a secure PIN (4–8 digits) you can remember but that is hard to guess. The device will then generate a recovery phrase — write it down on the supplied recovery sheet. Ledger will never request this phrase over email or support channels.
Record and protect your recovery phrase
Your recovery phrase is the single most important secret for recovering funds. Store it offline in at least two secure places. Consider using a fireproof metal backup if you store significant assets. Never share the phrase and beware social-engineering attempts asking for it.
Download Ledger Live & verify
From Ledger.com/Start, download Ledger Live for your platform. For desktop installers, compute the SHA256 checksum and confirm it matches the published value. Optionally verify using the provided GPG signature to ensure the package is authentic.
Install & grant device permissions
Install Ledger Live and grant only necessary permissions. On first run, Ledger Live will prompt to connect your device. Use the original USB cable and confirm the device is unlocked with your PIN when connecting.
Manager & apps
Open Manager in Ledger Live to install blockchain apps (Bitcoin, Ethereum, etc.) on your device. App storage is limited; install only the apps you need. Each app provides a secure environment for handling a particular blockchain's transactions.
Add accounts & verify addresses
Add accounts inside Ledger Live after connecting the device. When receiving funds, always verify the receive address on the device's display; this ensures the address wasn't altered by malware on your computer.
Transacting securely
To send funds, create the transaction in Ledger Live and verify all details (amount, recipient, fees) on the Ledger device screen before confirming. Never trust amounts displayed only on your computer.
Maintenance
Keep Ledger Live and your device firmware up to date. Ledger releases firmware and app updates to patch vulnerabilities and add features. Check the release notes for important changes before updating.
Advanced tips & enterprise options
For advanced users: consider passphrases for hidden wallets, multi-signature setups for additional security, and hardware-security-module (HSM) integrations for enterprise-grade custody. These require careful planning and understanding of recovery trade-offs.
Troubleshooting
Forgot PIN: after three wrong attempts the device will reset — restore with your recovery phrase.
Phishing attempts: Ledger will never ask for your recovery phrase — if contacted, treat it as a scam and report.