This redesigned guide walks you through powering on your Ledger device, creating a new wallet, backing up your recovery phrase, and connecting to apps. The approach below focuses on clarity and safety — follow each step carefully and keep your recovery phrase offline and private.
Open the package and check that the tamper-evident seal is intact. Ledger devices ship sealed — if anything looks suspicious, stop and contact official support. Keep your box and packaging until setup is complete.
Power on your device by pressing the hardware buttons. Follow the on-screen prompts to select your preferred language. Use the physical buttons to navigate; never enter your recovery phrase into a computer or phone during this process.
The device will offer to create a new wallet or restore an existing one. Choose Create new. The device generates a secure recovery phrase (usually 24 words). Write these words down in the exact order on the provided recovery sheet — do not photograph or store them digitally.
Estimated time: 10–20 minutes. Make sure you're in a quiet place and that no one else can see your screen while you write down your recovery phrase.
Confirm the package seal and that the device model matches the purchase. Only use the official USB cable supplied with your device. If you are setting up on a desktop or laptop, install the official Ledger Suite or Ledger Live app from the Ledger website. Avoid third-party downloads.
The device will prompt you to create a PIN. Choose a PIN you can remember, but that isn’t easily guessable. Use the physical buttons to choose digits — ledger devices never transmit your PIN. If you forget your PIN, you'll need your recovery phrase to restore access.
Your recovery phrase is the single most important piece of data. Ledger devices typically provide a 24-word phrase. Write each word clearly and in order on the supplied recovery card. Double-check spelling — a single wrong word will make recovery fail. Store the card in a safe, fireproof, and waterproof place if possible.
The device will ask you to confirm a few words to ensure you copied them correctly. Take your time. Once confirmed, the device finalizes wallet creation. From this point, you can add accounts and install blockchain apps using Ledger Live.
Install the official Ledger Live app on your computer or mobile device and follow its onboarding to add accounts. Ledger Live will guide you through installing specific apps (e.g., Bitcoin, Ethereum). When connecting to dapps (decentralized apps), always verify the URL and transaction details on your Ledger device screen; never approve transactions based on a website alone.
Consider making two physical backups of the recovery phrase and storing them in separate secure locations. Avoid digital copies. For additional resilience, research metal-backed recovery tools that are fireproof and corrosion resistant. But ensure they are compatible with standard BIP39 word lists if you plan to use them.