SETUP NOTES Official Ledger site

INDEPENDENT SETUP GUIDE

Make your first
wallet setup count.

A calm, security-first walkthrough for setting up a hardware wallet and its desktop companion app—without ever sharing your recovery phrase.

Start the checklist

Not an official Ledger website. This guide is independently published and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Ledger.

YOUR KEYS
STAY YOURS
SELF-CUSTODY, ON YOUR TERMS
One rule above all: Your 24-word recovery phrase belongs only to you. Never type it into a computer, phone, website, or chat—not even to “verify” or “sync” a wallet.
More safety tips

A SIMPLE, SECURE START

Your setup checklist

Take each step at your own pace. Your progress stays in this browser only.

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01

GET THE APP

Download from the official source

Visit Ledger’s official download page directly. Check the address carefully before downloading; avoid ads, search-result lookalikes, and links sent in messages.

Go to Ledger’s official Ledger Live page
02

INITIALIZE YOUR DEVICE

Choose a PIN on the device itself

Follow the prompts shown on your hardware wallet. Create a PIN that is hard to guess, and never share it with anyone. If the device arrives with a PIN or recovery words already filled in, stop and contact official support.

03

BACK UP OFFLINE

Write down your recovery phrase privately

Record the words only as they appear on your device, in order, on the recovery sheet. Keep it offline in a secure place. No legitimate support agent needs to see it.

Never photograph, screenshot, email, or enter your recovery phrase into any app or website.
04

CONNECT WITH CARE

Pair your device and add only what you need

Open the app you downloaded from the official source, connect your device, and follow its on-screen prompts. Install only the asset apps you need and review prompts on the device screen before approving.

05

VERIFY BEFORE YOU USE

Check addresses on your hardware wallet

When receiving funds, compare the full address displayed in the app with the address shown on your device screen. For a first transfer, consider sending a small test amount.

KEEP YOURSELF IN CONTROL

Real support will
never ask for this.

Anyone asking for your secret recovery phrase is trying to take control of your assets. Stop the conversation and verify support through a URL you type yourself.

Visit official Ledger Support
Recovery words, PIN, or private keys
Remote access to your computer
Urgent “wallet validation” or “synchronization”
Installing software from an unsolicited link
When in doubt, close the message and navigate to the official support site yourself.

QUICK ANSWERS

Common questions

Should I enter my recovery phrase in Ledger Live?

No. Your recovery phrase should never be entered into Ledger Live, a website, or any connected device. Only enter it on your hardware wallet if its own trusted setup flow explicitly requires it.

What if I lose my PIN?

Do not share your recovery phrase with anyone who offers to help. Consult the official support documentation for your exact device and follow its documented recovery steps.

How can I tell if a download page is genuine?

Type the official Ledger domain into your browser yourself and navigate to the downloads from there. Check the full domain spelling and avoid sponsored results and unsolicited links.