Ledger wallet | Getting started

Welcome — this guide will help you get started with your Ledger wallet. It walks through the essentials: what a hardware wallet is, how to prepare and initialize your device, how to secure your recovery phrase, and how to use Ledger for everyday crypto management without exposing login credentials or password links. The instructions below are kept practical and device-agnostic so you can follow them whether you own a Ledger Nano S, Nano S Plus, Nano X, or a similar Ledger device.

What is a Ledger wallet and why use one?

A Ledger wallet is a physical hardware device that stores the private keys used to control your cryptocurrency. Keeping private keys offline greatly reduces the risk of theft from online attacks, phishing, or malware. In short, a Ledger wallet gives you self-custody — you own and control the keys, rather than trusting a third-party service.

Unboxing and initial safety checks for your Ledger wallet

When your Ledger wallet arrives, inspect the packaging and device carefully. Authentic Ledger packaging is sealed; tamper evidence matters. If the packaging looks damaged or tampered with, contact the retailer or Ledger support rather than using the device.

Confirm the box seal is intact and that the included accessories (USB cable, recovery sheets) are present.
Only power the device using a trusted USB cable and computer you control.
Do not accept or use recovery seed sheets provided by anyone else.

Step-by-step: Initialize your Ledger wallet

Unbox and power up.

Attach the device to your computer or phone (as applicable) and follow on-screen prompts shown on the device’s tiny display. The Ledger device itself shows the initialization process — this is intentional to keep secret material away from your computer screen.

Create a PIN code on the device.

Choose a PIN you will remember but that others cannot guess. The PIN protects physical access to your device if it is lost or stolen. Enter the PIN directly on the device when prompted — never on a computer or phone keyboard for security reasons.

Write down your recovery phrase.

During initialization the device will generate a recovery phrase (usually 24 words). Write those words exactly and in order on the supplied recovery sheet, or on a secure alternative designed for long-term storage. Do not photograph, type, or store the seed phrase digitally.

Confirm the recovery phrase.

The device will ask you to confirm certain words from the phrase to verify you recorded it correctly. This is normal — follow the prompts on the device screen.

Secure storage of your recovery phrase

The recovery phrase is the ultimate backup to access funds. Whoever has it can restore the wallet. Keep the recovery phrase offline in at least one secure location; many users recommend two geographically separate secure backups (e.g., a home safe and a bank safe deposit box).

Never share your recovery phrase. Ledger or any legitimate service will never ask for your seed words. Treat the recovery phrase like cash or the keys to a safety deposit box.

Install companion apps (optional) — safely

To manage assets more comfortably you can use the Ledger device with official companion software or mobile apps. Always download software from official channels (the official app store on your phone or the official vendor download page). If you choose to install an app, verify checksums/signatures where available and install only trusted, up-to-date software.

Basic operations: receive, send, and verify

Receiving funds is straightforward: generate a receive address on your Ledger device (or in the companion app with device confirmation), copy the address into the sender app, and verify the address on the device screen before accepting incoming transfers.

Sending funds requires device confirmation. Build and sign transactions only when your Ledger device shows the destination address and amount on its screen and you approve directly on the device. This prevents remote manipulation by malicious software on your computer.

Daily security habits for Ledger wallet users

Always check the device display when approving transactions.
Keep firmware up-to-date using official update instructions — updates can include important security fixes.
Never enter your recovery phrase into a computer or smartphone.
Be cautious with browser extensions and apps that request wallet access — only allow trusted apps and always confirm actions on the device.

Troubleshooting and common questions

If you forget your PIN, the device will typically allow a reset which wipes the device; you then restore from the recovery phrase. If the device hardware malfunctions, restore your wallet on a new compatible hardware wallet using your recovery phrase. If your recovery phrase is lost, there is no way to recover funds — this is why secure backup is critical.

Advanced tips

Consider a metal backup plate for the recovery phrase to protect against fire and water damage.
Use multiple accounts or sub-accounts if you want to compartmentalize funds (for example: savings, trading, and cold-storage accounts).
Practice a small test transfer first when sending funds to verify the flow and addresses.

Final checklist before using your Ledger wallet

Device firmware is current and verified.
Your PIN is set and known only to you.
Your recovery phrase is recorded and stored offline in a secure location.
You verify all transactions on the device display before approving.

Disclaimer: This guide provides general information about using a Ledger wallet and does not replace official documentation or professional advice. Always follow official instructions provided by your hardware vendor and exercise caution when handling private keys and recovery phrases. This article intentionally omits any login/password links and does not collect or request personal credentials. You are solely responsible for securing your recovery phrase and device.