How to set up your Ledger hardware wallet | Ledger

Download Ledger Live to set up, manage and grow your crypto assets with your Ledger device. Learn how to buy, exchange, swap and access smart services on Ledger Live.

Setting up your Ledger hardware wallet is crucial for securing your cryptocurrencies. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you get started:

1. Unboxing: Open your Ledger wallet package carefully and ensure all the contents are present, including the Ledger device, USB cable, recovery sheet, and instruction manual.

2. Connecting the Device: Plug your Ledger device into your computer using the provided USB cable. It should power on automatically, displaying the Ledger logo.

3. Initializing the Device: If it's your first time using the Ledger device, it will prompt you to initialize it. Follow the on-screen instructions to choose your preferred language and set up a PIN code. Make sure to choose a PIN code that's difficult to guess and easy for you to remember.

4. Writing Down the Recovery Phrase: After setting up the PIN, the device will generate a recovery phrase, also known as a seed phrase. Write down the 24 words displayed on the device on the recovery sheet provided. This seed phrase is crucial for recovering your funds if your device is lost, stolen, or damaged, so keep it safe and never share it with anyone.

5. Confirming the Recovery Phrase: Once you've written down the recovery phrase, the device will ask you to confirm it by entering a few of the words in a specific order. This step ensures that you've written down the recovery phrase correctly.

6. Installing Ledger Live: Ledger Live is the companion software for managing your cryptocurrencies on your Ledger device. Download and install the Ledger Live app on your computer from the official Ledger website.

7. Adding Accounts: Open the Ledger Live app and follow the on-screen instructions to add cryptocurrency accounts to your device. You can choose from a wide range of supported cryptocurrencies and tokens.

8. Sending and Receiving Cryptocurrencies: Once your accounts are set up, you can send and receive cryptocurrencies using your Ledger device. Follow the instructions in the Ledger Live app to initiate transactions securely.

9. Enabling Additional Security Features: Ledger devices offer additional security features such as passphrase protection and multi-signature wallets. You can explore these features in the settings section of the Ledger Live app and enable them if desired.

10. Regularly Updating Firmware: To ensure the security of your Ledger device, it's important to keep the firmware up to date. Check for firmware updates regularly in the Ledger Live app and install them as soon as they become available.