This is the official **Ledger Setup** guide. Follow these essential steps to initialize your **Hardware Wallet**, protect your **Digital Assets**, and master your **Recovery Phrase** for ultimate **crypto security**.
Before you initialize your **Hardware Wallet**, you must verify its integrity. This step is crucial for establishing your foundation of **Digital Security**.
Your **crypto security** begins at the source. Ensure your device was purchased directly from Ledger's official website or an authorized retailer. Check the packaging for tamper-proof seals. A genuine Ledger device package will show no signs of prior opening or disturbance. This is your first **security check** against supply chain attacks. Never accept a device with pre-written **Recovery Phrase** cards.
Connect your **Hardware Wallet** to a trusted computer using the official USB cable. Allow the device to charge and fully power on. Confirm the display is clear and readable. The device screen will guide you through the initial firmware checks and prompt you to begin the **Ledger Setup** process. Read all on-screen instructions carefully before proceeding to the crucial **Recovery Phrase** step.
To manage your **Digital Assets** and perform the essential Genuine Check, you must download the **Ledger Live App**. Always navigate directly to ledger.com/start to download the software. **DO NOT** download Ledger Live from third-party app stores or search results marked as advertisements, as these could host malware designed to compromise your **digital security**.
Your 24-word **Recovery Phrase** is the single master key to your **Digital Assets**. It is the only way to restore your accounts if your **Hardware Wallet** is lost or damaged. Treat it with the utmost **digital security**.
When prompted by the device during **Ledger Setup**, the **Hardware Wallet** will display the 24 words one by one. Use the **official Recovery Sheets** provided in the box and write them down in numerical order, double-checking each word for accuracy. This must be done **offline** and manually. Your **crypto security** depends on the exact spelling and order of these words.
The device will then ask you to re-enter a random selection of words to verify your record. This mandatory step confirms your **Recovery Phrase** is correctly transcribed. After verification, you will set a secure **PIN code** (4-8 digits). This PIN protects your device from unauthorized physical access; it is NOT a substitute for your 24 words.
**NEVER** digitize your **Recovery Phrase**. Do not take pictures, store it in password managers, email it, or save it to cloud storage. Any digital copy is susceptible to hacking and instantly voids your **crypto security**.
**Storage is Paramount**. Keep your physical copy in a fireproof safe, bank vault, or other highly secure, temperature-controlled environment. The security of your **Digital Assets** hinges entirely on the secrecy of this **Recovery Phrase**.
**It is Non-Custodial**. Ledger does not know your 24 words. If you lose them, nobody can help you recover your funds. You are the sole custodian of your **digital security**.
With your **Hardware Wallet** initialized, you can now connect to Ledger Live to manage your **Digital Assets** securely.
Once connected, the **Ledger Live App** performs an exclusive **Genuine Check**. This cryptographic verification ensures that your device's Secure Element chip is legitimate and that the firmware hasn't been tampered with. This **security check** is automatic and non-intrusive. It is Ledger's final confirmation that you are utilizing authentic, high-grade **crypto security** hardware.
**Action:** Navigate to the 'Manager' section in Ledger Live while your device is connected and unlocked. The app will confirm the device's authenticity.
Use Ledger Live to install the specific application (e.g., Bitcoin, Ethereum) for the coin you wish to hold. Then, select 'Add Account' to synchronize the app with your device. **Crucially**: When receiving funds, always generate the address through the 'Receive' function in Ledger Live and **verify the address on the screen of your physical Hardware Wallet**. This verification protects you from clipboard malware, cementing your **digital security** protocol.
**Protocol:** Ledger Live provides address → You verify address on device screen → Send funds.
Congratulations, your device is secured! You can now explore the full **Ledger Ecosystem**. Using the **Ledger Live App**, you can securely stake certain **Digital Assets** to earn rewards, manage NFTs, and interact with DeFi services—all while the underlying **crypto security** remains anchored to your **Hardware Wallet**. Your **Ledger Setup** is complete, and your **secure crypto management** journey has begun.
The steps outlined are the foundation of true **non-custodial** ownership. By securing your **Recovery Phrase** and utilizing the **Genuine Check**, you have mastered the essentials of **secure crypto management**. Ready to secure your **Digital Assets**?
Download **Ledger Live App** and Connect