The Safest Path to **Cryptocurrency** Management
Get Started with Your **Ledger Hardware Wallet**
Welcome to the official **Ledger setup** guide. Whether you have a **Ledger Nano S Plus** or a **Ledger Nano X**, this comprehensive, step-by-step tutorial will ensure you correctly initialize your device, secure your funds, and harness the full power of the **Ledger Live** application. True **self-custody** starts with a secure setup.
The **Ledger Setup** and Initialization Flow
1. Authenticity Check
Unbox your **Ledger hardware wallet**. Inspect the packaging for any signs of tampering or prior opening. Genuine Ledger devices do not come with a pre-written **Recovery Phrase** or **PIN code**. If you see one, the device is compromised. Only proceed if the box is sealed and looks pristine. This critical physical verification is the start of your secure **Ledger setup**.
2. Download **Ledger Live**
Go directly to **Ledger.com/start** and download the official **Ledger Live** application for your desktop or mobile device. **Ledger Live** is the essential gateway for managing your assets, installing apps onto your **Ledger Nano X**, and interacting with the device securely. Never download the software from third-party sites.
3. Set Your **PIN Code**
Connect your **Ledger hardware wallet** to your computer. Follow the instructions on the device's screen to choose a **PIN code** (4 to 8 digits). You must enter this code directly on the Ledger device using the side buttons. This code protects your device from physical theft and is your daily access key.
4. Write Down **Recovery Phrase**
Your device will display your 24-word **Recovery Phrase** (sometimes called a seed phrase). This phrase is your only backup. **Write it down** on the provided card, word-for-word, in the correct order. **NEVER** take a picture or store this digital asset backup on a computer. This is the single most crucial step in the entire **Ledger setup** process.
5. Final **Ledger Live** Check
After the device prompts you to confirm the **Recovery Phrase**, use **Ledger Live** to run the "Genuine Check." This feature ensures your device is a genuine Ledger product and that the firmware is cryptographically verifiable, confirming your **Ledger setup** is secure before you transfer any **cryptocurrency**.
Mastering **Self-Custody**: The **Recovery Phrase** Protocol
The 24-word **Recovery Phrase** is the cryptographic key that controls all your **cryptocurrency** assets managed by your **Ledger hardware wallet**, be it a **Ledger Nano S Plus** or **Ledger Nano X**. It is derived from the BIP39 standard and acts as a single, powerful backup. Every single private key for every coin you hold is mathematically generated from this phrase. If you lose your Ledger device, this phrase is the only way to recover your funds onto a new wallet.
The cardinal rule of **Ledger security** is this: your **Recovery Phrase** must **NEVER** be known by anyone else and must **NEVER** touch any electronic device. Not your computer, not your phone, not the cloud. Digital storage is the single point of failure that compromises all of the **security** benefits provided by the **Ledger hardware wallet**. Store it offline, perhaps secured in a fireproof safe or safety deposit box, separate from the Ledger device itself.
Think of the **PIN code** as the lock on the front door (protecting against casual physical theft) and the **Recovery Phrase** as the deed to the entire house (allowing total recovery or total loss). Losing your **PIN code** is recoverable with the phrase; losing the **Recovery Phrase** means your funds are permanently inaccessible, regardless of the device's condition. A robust **Ledger setup** includes a meticulously protected **Recovery Phrase**.
Critical Warning: Ledger Support Scam
Ledger support will **NEVER** ask you for your 24-word **Recovery Phrase**. Anyone asking for it is a scammer attempting to steal your **cryptocurrency**. Keep this phrase strictly private for ultimate **self-custody**.
Adding the Passphrase (Advanced)
For an advanced layer of **security**, Ledger supports the addition of a 25th word (passphrase) to your **Recovery Phrase**. This creates a hidden wallet, providing "plausible deniability" and protection against extreme physical coercion. However, losing this passphrase means losing access forever.
Managing Your Portfolio with **Ledger Live**
The All-in-One Hub
**Ledger Live** is the central application designed to interface with your **Ledger Nano X** or **Ledger Nano S Plus**. It provides a secure, intuitive dashboard for checking your balances, managing your assets, and installing necessary coin applications onto your **Ledger hardware wallet**. It supports over 5,500 coins and tokens, making it the most versatile and secure way to interact with your **cryptocurrency** portfolio after the initial **Ledger setup**.
Sending & Receiving **Cryptocurrency**
When receiving, always generate the address directly through **Ledger Live** and verify that the address displayed on your computer screen exactly matches the address displayed on the trusted screen of your **Ledger hardware wallet**. For sending, the transaction details (recipient, amount, fee) will be confirmed on the device's screen, requiring a physical button press to sign the transaction. This "What You See Is What You Sign" protocol is the core of **Ledger security**.
Advanced Features: Staking & Swapping
Beyond simple transfers, **Ledger Live** allows you to leverage your **cryptocurrency** assets securely. Through the Discover section, you can access verified dApps to stake your proof-of-stake coins directly from your device, earning passive income without compromising **self-custody**. You can also swap different crypto assets instantly within the secure environment of the **Ledger hardware wallet** ecosystem. This expands utility while maintaining the highest **security** standards.
The Usability Advantage of the **Ledger Hardware Wallet**
The design philosophy behind the **Ledger Nano S Plus** and **Ledger Nano X** balances military-grade **security** with ease of use. Once the initial **Ledger setup** is complete, daily management becomes fast and intuitive. The devices support a wide array of coin applications, which you manage seamlessly through **Ledger Live**. The application compartmentalizes your assets, giving you a clear, real-time overview of your diverse **cryptocurrency** portfolio.
For mobile users, the **Ledger Nano X** supports Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) connectivity, allowing secure, wireless management of your assets via the mobile **Ledger Live** app—a feature that enhances convenience without ever exposing your private keys. The secure element chip inside every **Ledger hardware wallet** guarantees that the signing process remains entirely offline, regardless of the connection method, upholding the promise of uncompromised **Ledger security**.
Integration is key for modern **cryptocurrency** users. Beyond its native software, the Ledger device acts as a **self-custody** vault for numerous third-party software wallets like MetaMask. By connecting your Ledger, you can use these popular platforms while ensuring the critical signing step is performed by your offline **hardware wallet**. This combined approach provides the best of both worlds: access to the vast Web3 ecosystem with the impenetrable **security** of your Ledger.
Regular firmware updates, managed safely through **Ledger Live**, ensure that your device remains protected against emerging threats and benefits from new features and coin support. Ledger’s transparent approach to firmware updates and the open auditability of their cryptographic libraries reinforce user trust in the platform's unwavering commitment to digital asset **security**. Completing your **Ledger setup** correctly is your commitment to these high standards.
Your **Self-Custody** Journey Starts Now
Click below to download the official **Ledger Live** software and complete the final verification of your **Ledger hardware wallet**.
Download Ledger LiveAlways verify the URL: **Ledger.com/start** is your safest entry point.