Ledger.com/Start®
Starting Up Your Device® - Ledger®

Welcome to Your New Ledger

Congratulations on taking a monumental step towards true financial sovereignty. By choosing a Ledger hardware wallet, you are moving your digital assets from the custody of third parties (like exchanges) into your own hands. You are, in effect, becoming your own bank. This is the core principle of cryptocurrency, and you are now a part of it.

This guide is designed to walk you through the entire setup process, from unboxing your device to securing your assets. We will cover every step in detail to ensure you feel confident and secure. The process is straightforward, but it requires your full attention. Security is about diligence, and it starts now.

Your Journey Starts Here: This presentation will guide you through:
  • Verifying your device's authenticity.
  • Downloading and installing the essential Ledger Live software.
  • The critical process of generating and backing up your 24-word recovery phrase.
  • Securing your device with a PIN and connecting to Ledger Live.
  • Security best practices to keep your assets safe for the long term.

Please set aside about 20-30 minutes of uninterrupted time. Grab a pen, find a quiet and private space, and let's begin.

Slide 2: Unboxing & Verification

Before you even plug in your device, your first act of security is to inspect the package. Ledger devices are built with multiple layers of security, but a visual check is always a good first step.

What's in the Box?

Inside your Ledger box, you should typically find:

  • The Ledger Hardware Wallet: This is the main device (e.g., Ledger Nano X, Nano S Plus).
  • USB Cable: To connect your device to a computer (or phone, for some models).
  • Recovery Sheets: These are blank cards for writing down your 24-word recovery phrase. You should find three of them.
  • Getting Started/Instruction Leaflet: A small card often pointing you to Ledger.com/start.
  • Keychain Strap: For keeping your device handy (and stylish).

Checking for Tampering

Your Ledger box is sealed with plastic shrink-wrap. While this is a standard retail practice, the most important security check is on the device and the recovery sheets.

  • Are the recovery sheets BLANK? This is the most important check. If your recovery sheets come pre-filled with words, STOP IMMEDIATELY. This is a scam. Your device must generate a *new* and *unique* set of words for you. Never use a pre-filled sheet.
  • Device Condition: Does the device look new? Is there any significant physical damage, or are there scratches on the screen that look unusual?
CRITICAL WARNING: If your recovery sheets have *any* words printed on them, or if someone gave you a list of words "for your convenience," your device is compromised. DO NOT use it. Contact Ledger support immediately.

Don't worry if the box itself isn't sealed with a "tamper-proof" sticker. The true security is cryptographic and is verified later in the setup process. The blank recovery sheets are the key physical check you need to perform right now.

Slide 3: The Command Center: Ledger Live

The next step is to download Ledger Live. This is the official software application that acts as the secure portal to all your crypto assets. You will use it to:

  • Set up and manage your device.
  • Install and uninstall "apps" for different cryptocurrencies (e.g., Bitcoin app, Ethereum app).
  • Securely send and receive crypto.
  • Check your portfolio balance and transaction history.
  • Access other services like staking or decentralized applications (DeFi).

How to Download Safely

This is another critical security step. Malicious actors create fake versions of Ledger Live to steal your assets. You MUST download the software *only* from the official Ledger website.

  1. On your computer or smartphone, open a web browser.
  2. Manually type ledger.com into the address bar. Do not use a search engine, as you might accidentally click a poisoned ad link.
  3. Once on the official site, navigate to the "Downloads" or "App" section.
  4. Select the correct version for your operating system (Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, or iOS).
  5. Download and install the application just as you would any other software.
Phishing Alert: Never download Ledger Live from a link sent in an email, a text message, or a social media direct message. Always type the official URL ledger.com yourself. Scammers are very good at making fake websites that look real.

Once Ledger Live is installed, open it. The application will guide you through the next steps, which we will follow along with here. You'll start by clicking "Get Started" and selecting your specific Ledger device model.

Slide 4: First Boot & PIN Setup

It's time to bring your device to life. Connect your Ledger device to your computer using the provided USB cable. The device will power on and the screen will light up.

Navigating Your Device

Your device has two buttons. Here's how you use them:

  • Press Left or Right Button: Navigate through menus, options, and words.
  • Press Both Buttons Simultaneously: Select an option, confirm a choice, or open an app.

The device screen will greet you. Use the right button to cycle through the initial welcome messages. You will eventually land on an option that says "Set up as new device". Press both buttons to select this option.

Choosing Your PIN

The device will now prompt you to "Choose PIN". This PIN is your first line of defense. It protects your device from unauthorized physical access. If someone steals your device, they cannot access your funds without this PIN.

  • Your PIN can be between 4 and 8 digits long.
  • Use the left and right buttons to increase or decrease a digit.
  • Press both buttons to confirm a digit and move to the next.
  • Once you've entered your full PIN, navigate to the checkmark icon (✓) and press both buttons to save it.
  • You will be asked to "Confirm PIN". Re-enter the same PIN again to verify you typed it correctly.
Security Notice:
  • Do not use a simple PIN like 1234, 0000, or your date of birth. Make it random.
  • Memorize this PIN. Do not store it on your computer or phone.
  • What happens if you enter the PIN incorrectly 3 times? The device will reset itself to factory settings. This is a security feature! It wipes the device, but not your crypto. Your crypto is safe on the blockchain, and you can restore access using your 24-word phrase (which we'll cover next).

Slide 5: The Most Important Step in Your Life

I am not exaggerating. What you are about to do is the most important and sensitive part of your entire crypto journey. Your device will now generate your 24-word recovery phrase (also known as a "seed phrase" or "mnemonic").

What is this Phrase?

This 24-word phrase is the master key to all your cryptocurrency, on any blockchain. It's a human-readable backup of the private keys that control your assets.

  • With this phrase, you can restore access to all your crypto even if your Ledger device is lost, stolen, or destroyed.
  • This phrase is generated 100% offline by your device. It never touches your computer or the internet during this setup.
  • Whoever knows this phrase controls your funds. There is no "forgot password" or "customer support" for this. You are 100% responsible.

THE GOLDEN RULES OF SECURITY

You must follow these rules without exception. Breaking them will lead to the loss of your funds.

  1. NEVER share your 24-word phrase with anyone. Not your spouse, not your lawyer, not Ledger support. No one.
  2. NEVER type your 24-word phrase into any computer, smartphone, or website. It should *only* ever be entered on a hardware wallet device itself during a restoration.
  3. NEVER take a photo of your recovery phrase or store it in a password manager, text file, or cloud drive (like Google Drive or iCloud).
  4. ONLY use the physical, paper recovery sheets provided. Write them down with a pen.

The Process

  1. Your device will say "Write down your recovery phrase". Press both buttons to continue.
  2. Word #1 will appear on the screen. Carefully write it down in the #1 spot on your recovery sheet. Double-check the spelling.
  3. Press the right button. Word #2 will appear. Write it down in the #2 spot.
  4. Continue this process for all 24 words. Go slowly. Be meticulous.
  5. Once you have all 24 words, your device will ask you to "Confirm your recovery phrase".
  6. The device will prompt you for each word, one by one (e.g., "Confirm word #1"). You must use the left and right buttons to scroll through all possible words until you find the correct word #1, then press both buttons to select it.
  7. You will do this for all 24 words. This is a tedious but vital process to ensure you wrote them down correctly.

Once you successfully confirm all 24 words, your device will display "Your device is ready". You have successfully backed up your master key.

Slide 6: The Genuine Check

Now that your device is set up with a PIN and a recovery phrase, it's time to connect it to the Ledger Live software you installed earlier. This step will perform a "genuine check" to cryptographically verify that your device is an authentic Ledger product.

  1. In the Ledger Live application, continue the setup process. It will ask you to connect your device.
  2. Ensure your device is unlocked (by entering your PIN).
  3. Ledger Live will prompt you to "Allow Ledger Manager" on your device.
  4. A prompt will appear on your device's screen. You must press both buttons to allow the secure connection.

Ledger Live will now communicate with your device and Ledger's secure servers. It's checking that the device's internal secure element hasn't been tampered with and is a legitimate component. If this check passes (and it will, with a genuine device), you'll see a success message. This is the cryptographic proof that your device is safe, far more reliable than any box seal.

Installing Your First Apps

Your setup is now complete! You'll land on the Ledger Live dashboard. Your device is like a new smartphone—it's ready, but it doesn't have any apps yet. To manage a specific cryptocurrency, you must install its corresponding app on your device.

  • In Ledger Live, go to the "Manager" tab.
  • Your device will again ask for permission: "Allow Ledger Manager". Press both buttons.
  • You will see a "Device storage" indicator and a list of available apps in the "App catalog".
  • To receive Bitcoin, find the Bitcoin (BTC) app and click "Install".
  • To receive Ethereum, find the Ethereum (ETH) app and click "Install".

Installing an app doesn't put crypto on your device; it just gives your device the "language" to speak to that specific blockchain. You can install and uninstall apps freely. Uninstalling an app does *not* affect your coins, which are safe on the blockchain, accessible by your 24-word phrase.

After installing an app, you can go to the "Accounts" section of Ledger Live and click "Add account" to create your first wallet address.

Slide 7: Security Best Practices (Do Not Forget)

Setup is complete, but your security journey is just beginning. Diligence is key. Here are the most important practices to adopt starting today.

Securing Your Recovery Phrase

You wrote your 24 words on a piece of paper. This is now the most valuable piece of paper you own. It's also vulnerable to fire, water, and theft.

  • Store it securely. This means a location that is secret, safe, and durable. A home safe is a good start. A bank deposit box is another option, though it has trade-offs (access).
  • Consider metal backups. Many companies sell steel plates or capsules (like Billfodl or Cryptosteel) where you can stamp or engrave your 24 words, making them resistant to fire and flood.
  • Never store just one copy. You have three recovery sheets. You could store one in a safe at home and another in a different, secure location (like a bank vault or at a trusted family member's home, if you trust them implicitly).
  • Never digitize it. I will repeat this forever. Do not take a picture. Do not type it in a file. Paper and steel only.

Interacting with Your Device

  • Trust the Screen: The screen on your Ledger device is your "trusted display." When you make a transaction, the details (recipient's address, amount) will be shown on this screen. You *must* verify these details on the device screen before pressing both buttons to "Approve". Malware on your computer can change the address you see in Ledger Live, but it *cannot* change what's on the device screen. If the screen doesn't match, REJECT the transaction.
  • Beware of Scams: You will receive DMs, emails, and tweets from "Ledger Support." They are all scams. Ledger support will NEVER ask for your 24-word phrase. Anyone who does is trying to steal your money.
  • Blind Signing: When interacting with complex DeFi apps or NFTs, you may be asked to "blind sign" a transaction. This is an advanced feature and carries risks. Be 100% sure you know what you are signing.

Slide 8: Welcome to Self-Custody

You have successfully completed the setup of your Ledger hardware wallet. You have generated your own private keys, secured your PIN, and backed up your one-and-only recovery phrase. You are now in full, sovereign control of your digital assets.

Congratulations! You have entered a new paradigm of finance, one where you are not reliant on any third party to secure your wealth. This power comes with great responsibility, but you have already taken the most important steps to secure your future.

Remember the golden rules, stay vigilant, and never stop learning. Your Ledger device is a tool, and you are now a skilled user. Welcome to the future of finance.