Ledger Device Setup - Start Your Secure Journey

1 Unbox and Connect

Begin by carefully **unboxing your Ledger device**. Ensure the packaging is tamper-proof. If anything looks suspicious, contact support immediately. Security is paramount, and Ledger devices are designed with integrity checks.

Take the device and the **USB-C cable** out of the box.
Connect your Ledger to your desktop computer or smartphone (for Nano X users).
The device will power on and display a welcome message, typically **"Welcome to Ledger."**
Use the buttons (or touch screen, depending on your model) to navigate through the initial greetings.

This phase is purely hardware preparation. Do not proceed to the next step until your device is powered and displaying the welcome screen.

2 Install Ledger Live

Ledger Live is the required application for managing your accounts, installing apps on your device, and checking balances. **Always download Ledger Live from the official source.** Do not trust third-party links.

Visit the official Ledger website to download the **Ledger Live application**.
Install the application on your computer (Windows, macOS, or Linux) or your mobile device (iOS or Android).
Open the application and select the option to **"Initialize a new Ledger device."**
Follow the on-screen prompts in Ledger Live to begin the pairing process with your physical device.

Ledger Live will walk you through verifying your device's authenticity—a critical security check to prevent supply chain attacks. Download Ledger Live Here.

3 Choose Your PIN Code

Your **PIN code** protects your device from unauthorized access. You will enter this code on the physical Ledger device using its buttons. This code will be required every time you connect your device.

On your Ledger device, follow the prompt to **"Choose PIN code."**
The PIN must be between **4 and 8 digits**. A longer PIN provides greater security.
Use the left/right buttons to change the digit and both buttons simultaneously to confirm.
**Confirm your PIN code** a second time to ensure accuracy. If you forget your PIN, you will need your Recovery Phrase to restore access.

Security Note: Never tell anyone your PIN. Do not store it digitally. Treat it like the key to your bank vault.

4 Recovery Phrase (Seed)

This is the **most critical step**. Your **24-word Recovery Phrase** is the master backup for all your funds. Losing it means losing your crypto; sharing it means giving away your crypto.

Your Ledger device will now display the words one by one.
Use the provided **Recovery Sheet** (or sheets) to meticulously write down all **24 words** in the correct order.
**Double-check** your handwriting. Ensure every word is spelled correctly and the numbering is accurate.
Once written, the device will ask you to **confirm selected words** to verify your copy.

After confirmation, **store your Recovery Sheet securely and offline**. Fireproof, waterproof locations are ideal. **NEVER** digitize it (take a photo, save it to a cloud, or type it into a computer). It is the only way to restore your accounts.

5 Final Check & Install Apps

You are almost ready! After setting up your PIN and Recovery Phrase, Ledger Live will perform a **final check** to ensure your device is genuine and configured correctly. This process usually takes less than a minute.

In Ledger Live, click **"Check my Nano"** and follow the instructions.
Once authenticated, you can start installing the crypto applications you need (e.g., Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana).
Go to the **"Manager"** section in Ledger Live, search for the coin you want, and click **"Install."**

Congratulations! Your hardware wallet is now ready. The final step is to create your first **account** within Ledger Live for the installed cryptocurrencies.

6 Next Steps: Receive & Secure

With apps installed, you can now generate your first public addresses to receive funds. Remember, all transactions require **physical confirmation** on your Ledger device.

In Ledger Live, navigate to the **"Accounts"** section and click **"Add Account."**
Select the coin, and the app will sync with your device.
Click **"Receive"** and **verify the address** displayed in Ledger Live matches the address shown on your physical Ledger screen. This verification is crucial!
Only send funds to an address you have **physically verified** on your device.