Welcome to Ledger.com/start: Official **Ledger Device Setup** Guide

Congratulations on choosing a **Ledger Hardware Wallet**. This **Official Setup Portal** provides the critical, step-by-step instructions you must follow to secure your **crypto assets**. The process below will guide you through device initialization, setting your **PIN Code**, and most importantly, recording your **24-word Recovery Phrase**. Your **crypto security** begins here, with physical confirmation on your device's trusted screen.

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Do not proceed without the device and the provided Recovery Sheet.

Phase 1: Unboxing, Power, and **Genuine Check** Protocol

Verifying the physical integrity of your **Hardware Wallet** before initialization.

Your journey to absolute **crypto security** starts before you even turn the device on. When you receive your Ledger Nano device (be it a **Ledger Nano S Plus** or **Ledger Nano X** ), the first step in the **Ledger Device Setup** is meticulous physical inspection. Check the packaging: all seals must be intact, and the contents must match the official list—the device, a USB cable, a keychain strap, and crucially, three **Recovery Phrase** sheets. A missing or broken seal may indicate tampering, and in such a rare event, you must contact customer support immediately and **stop the setup**.

Once satisfied with the packaging, power on your **Hardware Wallet**. For the **Ledger Nano X**, charge it briefly. The initial screen will display a welcome message and prompts to download the **Ledger Live** application. It is paramount that you download the **Official Ledger App** only from the verified links on Ledger.com—this prevents downloading compromised software that might attempt to steal your future **private keys**.

The Pre-Setup **Genuine Check**

This is a key **Ledger security** feature. When you connect your device to the **Ledger Live** desktop application for the first time, the software performs an **Attestation Check**. This is a cryptographic challenge and response between the device’s **Secure Element** chip and Ledger’s secure server. It verifies two critical things: that the device is a legitimate Ledger product and that the firmware has not been compromised or replaced. If this **Genuine Check** fails at any point during your **Ledger Device Setup**, the process stops immediately, and no **crypto assets** can ever be sent to the device. **Ledger Live** ensures that only certified, secure hardware is used for generating your **24-word Recovery Phrase**. This prevents the use of counterfeit **Hardware Wallets** with known or pre-set **private keys**.

Phase 2: Setting Your **PIN Code** on the Trusted Screen

The localized, isolated security layer for physical access.

The second essential step in the **Ledger Device Setup** is establishing your **PIN Code**. The device will prompt you to "Choose PIN Code." You must use the physical buttons on your device to select a PIN between 4 and 8 digits.

**CRITICAL SECURITY PROTOCOL:** The **PIN Code** must be entered **only** on the device's screen, using the buttons. This isolation is intentional. Since the PIN is entered away from your computer's keyboard, it is immune to computer threats like keyloggers and screen-sharing malware. Your **Ledger Live** desktop application is only involved in prompting you; the actual keying-in process remains strictly on the **Hardware Wallet**. The PIN serves as a temporary security measure: it locks the device and prevents unauthorized *physical* access. If the wrong PIN is entered three times, the device performs an immediate factory reset, erasing the internal **private keys** and necessitating the use of the **Recovery Phrase** to restore your **crypto assets**.

**Choosing a Strong PIN:** While 4 digits are sufficient, choosing a 6-digit or 8-digit PIN significantly increases the security against brute-force attacks by exponentially increasing the possible combinations. Avoid sequential numbers (1234) or obvious personal dates. Once confirmed on the device, the next, most crucial phase of the **Ledger Device Setup** begins: the generation of your master key.

Phase 3: The **24-Word Recovery Phrase** – Your Master Backup

The single most important step for securing your **digital assets** for life.

This step cannot be rushed. The **24-word Recovery Phrase** is the ultimate master key, generated randomly and securely inside the **Secure Element** of your **Hardware Wallet**. This phrase mathematically represents all your **private keys** (the proof of ownership for all your **crypto assets**). It is a non-digital, human-readable form of your seed, adhering to the internationally recognized **BIP39 standard**. The **Ledger Device Setup** ensures this phrase is displayed **ONLY** on the device's screen—it is never stored in the **Ledger Live** application or transmitted over the internet.

Meticulous Transcription and Non-Digital Storage

As each word appears sequentially (Word 1 through Word 24), you must transcribe it meticulously onto the official **Recovery Phrase** sheet provided in your Ledger box. Use capital letters and be absolutely sure of the spelling. The order matters, and even a single misspelling or incorrect word order will make the phrase useless for recovery.

**ABSOLUTE RULE for **Ledger Security**: The **24-word Recovery Phrase** must **NEVER** be digitized. Do not take a photograph of it, do not type it into a computer (even in a password manager), and do not store it in the cloud or email it to yourself. The moment the phrase touches an internet-connected device, you have nullified the security benefits of your **Hardware Wallet**. Loss of the phrase means permanent loss of access to your **crypto assets** if the device is lost or damaged. Compromise of the phrase means immediate theft of your funds.

Verification and Final Commitment

To complete the **Ledger Device Setup**, the device will prompt you to verify the phrase. You will be asked to confirm specific words (e.g., "Word 12 is...?"). You must scroll through the list of options on your device's screen and select the correct word. This final, manual verification step ensures that you have correctly transcribed the phrase before the device finalizes the setup and allows management of **crypto assets**. Once verification is complete, the device will confirm that it is "ready." This entire process guarantees that you, and only you, hold the key to your financial future.

Phase 4: **Ledger Live** Configuration and **Firmware Updates**

Preparing your **secure Ledger Live Wallet** for transaction management.

With the **Hardware Wallet** securely initialized, you now transition back to the **Ledger Live Desktop** application to finalize your setup.

  1. **Genuine Device Check (Final):** **Ledger Live** performs one final check to ensure the successful initialization process was authentic.
  2. **Adding Accounts:** Navigate to the "Accounts" section. You must install the required **Crypto Apps** (e.g., Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana) on your device first using the Manager. Once installed, the **secure Ledger Live Wallet** can connect to the public blockchain and generate receiving addresses for your **crypto assets**. These addresses are derived from the master **Recovery Phrase** secured inside the device.
  3. **Firmware Updates:** Use the Manager tab in **Ledger Live** to check for and apply any necessary **firmware updates**. Updates fix bugs, enhance security, and add support for new coins. The **Ledger Live App** ensures these updates are cryptographically signed by Ledger, maintaining the integrity of your **Hardware Wallet**.

Understanding the distinction is key: the **Hardware Wallet** (the device) holds the **private keys**, and the **Ledger Live** application (the software) serves as the secure, transparent interface for viewing your **digital assets** and signing transactions. Every send transaction requires physical confirmation on the device—this mandatory, isolated action is the core of **Ledger security**.

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Common Questions During **Ledger Device Setup**

The **PIN Code** is local security; it protects your **Hardware Wallet** from unauthorized physical access. If lost, the device is wiped, but your funds are safe. The **24-word Recovery Phrase** is global security; it is the master key to your **crypto assets** on the blockchain. If the PIN is forgotten, you use the phrase to restore access. If the phrase is compromised, your funds are at risk globally.

Can I save a digital copy of the **Recovery Phrase** in an encrypted file?

We strongly advise against any digital storage. The fundamental **Ledger security** model relies on the phrase remaining offline. Even highly encrypted files are vulnerable to keyloggers or malware that could be running on your computer. Keep the phrase on paper or in a metal backup and store it securely and physically separate from your **Hardware Wallet**.

I bought a Ledger second-hand. Can I still perform a **Ledger Device Setup**?

It is strongly recommended to only buy new devices directly from Ledger or an official reseller. If you must use a pre-owned device, you must ensure you select the "Initialize as new device" option during the **Ledger Device Setup**. You should never trust a **Recovery Phrase** that came with a second-hand device. Always wipe it and generate a brand-new, unique **24-word Recovery Phrase** on the device's screen.

If I lose my **24-word Recovery Phrase**, can Ledger support help me restore my funds?

No. Ledger, as a non-custodial **Hardware Wallet** provider, does not store your **Recovery Phrase** or your **private keys**. This is a core **Ledger security** feature that ensures only you have access to your **crypto assets**. Losing the phrase while the device is damaged or lost means the funds are permanently inaccessible. You alone are the guardian of the phrase.

My **Hardware Wallet** is running out of space for **crypto apps**. What happens if I uninstall one?

You can safely uninstall **crypto apps** using the **Ledger Live** Manager. Uninstalling only removes the small program required for signing that specific coin's transactions. Your **digital assets** remain safely on the blockchain, secured by the **private keys** derived from your **Recovery Phrase** inside the device. You can reinstall the app anytime you need to send or swap those **crypto assets**.