Ledger® Onboarding™ — Official Setup Hub | Ledger.com/start

Why Ledger Onboarding matters

Hardware wallets like Ledger provide a strong layer of protection because they keep private keys offline. But a device is only as secure as the way you set it up and manage recovery. This guide focuses on practical steps and decisions — what to do first, how to create a secure pin and recovery phrase, how to verify firmware, and where to store backups.

Getting started: unbox, inspect, and verify

Step 1 — Inspect physical packaging (H3)

When you receive a Ledger device, check the packaging for tamper evidence. Ledger ships sealed products. If anything looks tampered with—return or contact Ledger support before proceeding.

Step 2 — Power up & connect (H3)

Use the official USB cable and connect to a computer you trust. Avoid public or unknown USB chargers. Ledger Live (the official app) guides you through the rest. Download Ledger Live only from https://www.ledger.com/start.

What you will need (H4)

• Ledger device (Nano S Plus, Nano X, or equivalent)
• Computer or smartphone with a supported OS
• Secure pen & offline notebook for your recovery phrase

Quick safety tip (H5)

Never store your recovery phrase on a phone, photo, email, or cloud drive. Write it down physically and store it offline in a safe or secure deposit box.

Step-by-step setup

1. Install Ledger Live

Ledger Live is the official companion app for managing accounts and firmware. Download it only from Ledger's site. Follow prompts to install.

2. Initialize your device

Choose Set up as new device (unless restoring a known device). Create a PIN on the device. Make the PIN long enough for your threat model — not trivial, not easy to guess.

Choosing a PIN (H4)

Use a PIN that you can remember, but which isn’t easily guessable from your personal details. Avoid sequences like 1234 or birthdays.

3. Record your recovery phrase

The device displays a 24-word recovery phrase. Write every word exactly. Ledger devices do not store your words; the phrase is the only way to restore funds if the device is lost or damaged.

Recovery phrase best practices (H4)

• Write each word on the provided card or a dedicated recovery steel.
• Store multiple copies in geographically separated secure locations.
• Consider using a metal backup (fireproof & long-lasting) for durability.

Restore test (H5)

After setup, consider testing restore on a different device (or using a temporary device) to confirm you recorded the phrase correctly.

Security deep-dive: firmware, seed, and phishing

Verify firmware and app authenticity (H3)

Before using, Ledger Live checks firmware. Only install firmware updates from Ledger Live and never from unknown sources. Ledger uses secure boot and signing to protect firmware authenticity.

Phishing and social engineering (H3)

Scammers will impersonate support or send malicious links to trick you into revealing your recovery phrase. Ledger will never ask for your recovery phrase. If someone asks for it, stop immediately.

Common phishing vectors (H4)

• Fake support emails or social messages claiming urgent issues.
• Malicious websites mimicking Ledger's UI — always check the domain.
• Browser extensions claiming to “help manage” funds — avoid them unless official.

Action if compromised (H5)

If you suspect compromise, move your funds using a cleaned device and a new recovery phrase if possible, or seek support from official channels. Do not share your words with anyone.

Daily use & integrations

Using accounts in Ledger Live (H3)

Ledger Live shows balances and lets you send and receive crypto. You can add accounts for multiple chains and manage apps from the app catalog. Confirm address details directly on your Ledger device before sending funds.

Third-party wallets and dApps (H3)

Ledger integrates with many third-party wallets (e.g., MetaMask, Electrum). When used with dApps, always confirm transactions on-device. The device shows transaction details that the dApp may not display clearly.

Hardware + software balance (H4)

Hardware wallets are for long-term custody. Use software wallets for small, frequent transactions — keep large balances offline. Consider creating multiple accounts for different purposes (savings vs active trading).

Using Ledger with exchanges (H5)

When withdrawing from an exchange, always verify the receiving address on your device. Use whitelisting features and small test withdrawals for new addresses.

Recovery planning & estate considerations

Think ahead: how would your family or executor access funds if something happens? Options include a secure letter of instruction stored with legal documents, a trusted custodian, or multisig strategies that distribute risk.

Multisig & shared custody (H3)

Multisig splits control across multiple devices/people and reduces single-point failures. Consider multisig for higher-value holdings.

Legal & tax (H4)

Keep records for tax reporting, but never store recovery words in those records. Meet local legal requirements for inheritance and estate planning — consult a professional for your jurisdiction.

Documenting access (H5)

Create a non-sensitive document explaining where hardware and recovery backups are stored. Do not include the recovery words themselves.

Pro tips & advanced workflows

Air-gapped signing (H3)

For extra security, use an offline computer for signing transactions where possible. Ledger supports workflows that minimize attack surface for power users.

Using passphrase (H3)

Ledger supports optional passphrases (25th word). A passphrase can create hidden wallets — strong, but complex. If you use it, treat it as a separate secret and store it safely.

Useful "Office" & productivity links (10)

Here are 10 helpful Office / productivity links you asked for. Use them for documentation, record-keeping, templates, and more.