A clear, security-first walkthrough
Get started with your Ledger wallet
A Ledger hardware wallet keeps your private keys offline while you manage compatible crypto assets through Ledger Live. Use this guide to understand the setup process, find the official starting point, and avoid the most common security mistakes.
Continue at Ledger.com/startThis independent guide does not provide Ledger support. Always verify the address in your browser before downloading software.
Before you begin
Start with a Ledger device purchased from Ledger or an authorized reseller. Check that its packaging and device look as expected, then visit Ledger.com/start by typing the address yourself. The official setup page directs you to the current Ledger Live App Download for your computer or phone.
Install Ledger Live only from Ledger’s verified website or the official Apple App Store or Google Play listing linked by Ledger. A “Ledger Live Desktop” download found through an advertisement, unsolicited message, or file-sharing site may be unsafe. If a page asks you to enter your 24-word recovery phrase, close it. Ledger will never need that phrase to download or open the app.
Complete Ledger wallet Setup
Open Ledger Live and follow its on-screen instructions to connect and initialize your device. Choose a PIN directly on the hardware wallet, not on a website or in a chat. The device will generate a recovery phrase during setup. Write each word in order on the supplied recovery sheet and check it carefully when prompted by the device.
Your recovery phrase is the master backup to your wallet. Keep it offline, private, and in a secure location separate from your device. Never photograph it, store it in cloud notes, share it with support, or type it into a computer, phone, browser, or “recovery” website. Anyone who obtains it can take control of the assets it protects.
Use the genuine device screen to review and confirm setup prompts. Ledger Live may offer a device authenticity check and firmware guidance; follow the prompts shown in the official app and on your device. If the phrase was supplied pre-written, or you are asked to use a phrase chosen by someone else, stop and contact Ledger through its official support site.
Use Ledger Live to manage accounts
Ledger Live is the companion application for checking supported account balances, installing compatible apps on your device, and preparing transactions. Add an account for the network you use, then follow the app’s instructions to receive funds. Before sharing a receiving address, verify it on the physical wallet screen whenever the device offers that check.
People sometimes search for “Ledger Live Login,” but basic Ledger Live use is not a request to sign in with your recovery phrase. Do not confuse an app unlock code with your device PIN, and do not enter either into an unfamiliar webpage. Keep Ledger Live updated through official channels, and review every transaction’s destination and amount on the hardware wallet before approving it.
There is no need to install a browser add-on to complete standard device setup. Be especially cautious of search results for a “Ledger Wallet Extension”: unsolicited extensions or pages imitating wallet tools may be designed to steal recovery phrases. Confirm any supported integration through Ledger’s official documentation before connecting a wallet.
A simple security rule
Your recovery phrase belongs only to you and should only ever be entered on the Ledger device itself when the device explicitly requests it during recovery. No website, app, support agent, or online form needs it. If in doubt, pause and navigate to Ledger’s official support resources independently.
Quick answers
Frequently asked questions
Where should I start setting up a Ledger wallet?
Type ledger.com/start into your browser and follow the current instructions there. This page is an independent guide, not the official Ledger website.
Where can I get the Ledger Live App Download?
Use the download links on Ledger.com/start or Ledger’s verified app-store listing. Avoid sponsored download results, third-party mirrors, and attachments sent in messages.
Does Ledger Live require a Ledger Live Login?
Ledger Live is a companion app, not a place to enter your recovery phrase. Follow the current official app instructions; never provide your 24 words to sign in, unlock an account, or receive support.
Where should I store my recovery phrase?
Write it offline and keep it private in a secure physical location. Never save it in a photo, email, cloud document, password manager, or website.
Do I need a Ledger Wallet Extension?
Standard setup is completed through Ledger Live and the hardware wallet. Do not install an extension just because a page recommends it; verify any integration with Ledger’s official documentation first.
What if I see a request for my 24-word phrase online?
Do not enter or share it. Close the page and reach Ledger support by navigating to Ledger’s official website yourself. If the phrase has already been exposed, treat the wallet as compromised.
Ledger and Ledger Live are trademarks of their respective owner. This educational page is independently produced and is not an official Ledger site or a substitute for Ledger’s current documentation.