Set up your Ledger hardware wallet in minutes and take full control of your digital assets with bank-grade security
Get your Ledger device ready in 4 easy steps
Unbox your Ledger device, connect it to your computer or smartphone using the provided USB cable, and ensure it powers on properly.
Download and install Ledger Live application on your computer or mobile device. This is your gateway to managing your crypto portfolio.
Choose a secure 4-8 digit PIN code on your device. This protects your wallet from unauthorized physical access.
Write down your 24-word recovery phrase on the provided recovery sheet. Never share this with anyone or store it digitally.
Your crypto deserves the highest level of protection
Your private keys are stored in a certified secure element chip (CC EAL5+), the same technology used in credit cards and passports. This chip is designed to resist sophisticated attacks and keep your keys safe from malware and hackers.
Your private keys never leave the device and never connect directly to the internet. All transaction signing happens offline on the device, ensuring that even if your computer is compromised, your funds remain secure.
Every transaction must be physically verified and approved on your Ledger device screen. This protects you from malware that could modify transaction details on your computer.
Use your Ledger device with Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS, and Android. Access your portfolio from anywhere while maintaining the same level of security across all platforms.
If your device is lost, stolen, or damaged, you can recover all your crypto assets using your 24-word recovery phrase on a new Ledger device or compatible wallet.
Ledger Live and device firmware are open source, allowing independent security researchers to audit the code and verify there are no backdoors or vulnerabilities.
Your 24-word recovery phrase is the master key to all your crypto assets. It's generated using a cryptographic standard (BIP39) that creates an almost impossibly large number of possible combinations—more than there are atoms in the universe.
During setup, your Ledger device will display 24 words one at a time. You must write these down in the exact order on the recovery sheet provided. This recovery phrase allows you to restore your wallet on any compatible device if your Ledger is lost, stolen, or damaged.
Your PIN code is your first line of defense against physical theft. While your recovery phrase protects your long-term access, your PIN protects day-to-day use of your device.
Phishing attacks are one of the most common ways cryptocurrency users lose their funds. Attackers create fake websites or send fraudulent emails pretending to be from Ledger or other crypto services.
Ledger will NEVER ask you for your 24-word recovery phrase. Any communication asking for this information is a scam. The only time you should ever enter your recovery phrase is when setting up a new device or restoring your wallet—and only directly on the Ledger device itself, never on a computer or website.
Keeping your Ledger device firmware up to date is crucial for security. Ledger regularly releases firmware updates that patch vulnerabilities, add new features, and improve overall security.
Firmware updates can only be installed through Ledger Live and are cryptographically signed by Ledger. Your device will verify the authenticity of any firmware update before installing it, protecting you from malicious firmware.
When you first connect your device to Ledger Live, it will perform a genuine check to verify your device is authentic and hasn't been tampered with. This check uses a cryptographic attestation that only genuine Ledger devices can provide.
Advanced users can add an optional passphrase (sometimes called the 25th word) to their recovery phrase. This creates a completely new set of accounts that can only be accessed with both the 24-word recovery phrase AND the passphrase.
This provides plausible deniability: you can have a small amount in your standard wallet and larger holdings in your passphrase-protected wallet. Under duress, you could reveal your PIN and 24-word phrase while keeping your passphrase-protected funds hidden.
Your Ledger device can manage multiple accounts for each cryptocurrency. This allows you to separate funds for different purposes—for example, one Bitcoin account for long-term savings and another for regular spending.
All accounts derived from your recovery phrase can be restored on any compatible device. The derivation path follows the BIP44 standard, ensuring compatibility across different wallet software.
Every transaction you create on Ledger Live must be verified and approved on your Ledger device. When you send cryptocurrency, the device displays the recipient address and amount. You must physically press the buttons on your device to confirm the transaction.
This "what you see is what you sign" approach protects you from malware that might modify transaction details on your computer. Even if your computer is completely compromised, attackers cannot steal your funds because they cannot approve transactions without physical access to your device and PIN.
While Ledger devices provide excellent security for your private keys, remember that blockchain transactions are public. Anyone can view transaction histories for any address.
To enhance privacy, consider using a different receiving address for each transaction. Ledger Live automatically generates new addresses for supported cryptocurrencies. This makes it harder for others to track your complete transaction history or total holdings.
When buying cryptocurrency through exchanges, be aware that exchanges collect personal information (KYC). For maximum privacy, consider using peer-to-peer exchanges or Bitcoin ATMs, though these have their own trade-offs.
Your recovery phrase is the only way to access your funds. If you lose it and your device is damaged, your cryptocurrency is permanently lost. If you pass away without sharing your recovery phrase with trusted family members, your crypto assets will be inaccessible forever.
Consider these backup strategies:
Ledger devices support over 5,500 different cryptocurrencies and tokens, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, XRP, Litecoin, and thousands of ERC-20 tokens. You can install apps for different cryptocurrencies directly on your device through Ledger Live. Each app allows you to manage that specific cryptocurrency while keeping your private keys secure.
Yes! While Ledger Live is the official app, your Ledger device is compatible with many third-party wallets including MetaMask, Electrum, MyEtherWallet, and more. This gives you flexibility in how you manage your crypto while maintaining the security benefits of hardware storage. Your private keys remain secure on the device regardless of which software you use.
Your cryptocurrency is safe even if Ledger ceases operations. Your funds are not stored on Ledger's servers—they're on the blockchain. Your recovery phrase follows the BIP39 standard, which is supported by dozens of different wallet applications. You could restore your wallet using your recovery phrase in any compatible wallet software, completely independent of Ledger.
Ledger Nano X has a rechargeable battery that lasts several hours of active use and weeks on standby. Ledger Nano S and Nano S Plus don't have batteries—they're powered through the USB connection whenever you plug them in. This means they'll continue working indefinitely without battery degradation concerns.
We strongly recommend only buying Ledger devices directly from Ledger.com or authorized retailers. Used devices could potentially be tampered with. If you do receive a used device, never use a recovery phrase that came with it—this is a common scam. Always initialize the device as new and generate your own recovery phrase. Ledger Live can verify if your device is genuine and hasn't been compromised.
Yes! You can use your Ledger device with multiple computers and mobile devices. Your Ledger device contains your private keys, so you can plug it into any device running Ledger Live and access your portfolio. You can also restore your wallet on multiple Ledger devices using the same recovery phrase, allowing you to have backup devices ready.
All Ledger devices provide the same core security features. The Nano S Plus offers more storage for apps and a larger screen. The Nano X adds Bluetooth connectivity for mobile use and has a battery. Choose based on your needs: Nano S Plus for budget-conscious users who mainly use desktop computers, or Nano X for mobile flexibility and managing more currencies simultaneously.
When you first connect your device to Ledger Live, it performs a cryptographic authenticity check. Only genuine Ledger devices can pass this verification. Additionally, legitimate devices will never come with a pre-generated recovery phrase or PIN code. If your device came with these, it's compromised and should not be used. Always purchase from official sources and perform the genuine check.
Join millions of users who trust Ledger to protect their digital assets. Your keys, your crypto.