Official Setup Guide for Ledger Wallets

Secure Your Crypto
The Right Way

Welcome to the official Ledger hardware wallet setup guide. Learn how to protect your cryptocurrency with industry-leading security technology trusted by millions worldwide.

Download Ledger Wallet

Choose your operating system to download the official app

Setup Guide in 4 Simple Steps

Follow our comprehensive guide to secure your cryptocurrency safely

Step 1

Download Ledger Wallet App

Begin your secure crypto journey by downloading the official Ledger Wallet application. This essential software bridges the gap between your hardware device and your digital assets, providing an intuitive interface to manage your cryptocurrency portfolio. Available for Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android, the app ensures you can access your assets from any device while maintaining the highest security standards.

Step 2

Set Up Your Device

Unbox your Ledger hardware wallet and connect it to your computer or mobile device. The setup process is designed to be straightforward yet secure. You'll create a unique PIN code that protects your device from unauthorized access. This PIN becomes your first line of defense, ensuring that even if your device is lost or stolen, your assets remain protected. The device will guide you through each step with clear on-screen instructions.

Step 3

Secure Your Recovery Phrase

Your 24-word recovery phrase is the master key to your cryptocurrency. During setup, your Ledger device will generate this unique phrase offline, ensuring it never touches the internet. Write these words down carefully on the provided recovery sheet in the exact order displayed. Store this phrase in a secure location, separate from your device. Never photograph it, store it digitally, or share it with anyone. This phrase is the only way to recover your assets if your device is lost or damaged.

Step 4

Install Crypto Apps

Through Ledger Wallet, you can install specific applications for each cryptocurrency you wish to manage. Bitcoin, Ethereum, and thousands of other digital assets each have their own dedicated app that runs on your Ledger device. These apps are designed to work seamlessly with the hardware wallet's secure element chip, ensuring your private keys never leave the device. Install only the apps you need to keep your device organized and efficient.

Why Choose Ledger?

Industry-leading security meets user-friendly design

Bank-Grade Security

Your private keys are stored in a certified secure chip, the same technology used in credit cards and passports. This ensures your assets are protected from online threats and malware.

Full Asset Control

You own your private keys, which means you have complete control over your cryptocurrency. No third party can freeze, access, or control your digital assets.

Multi-Currency Support

Manage over 5,500 different cryptocurrencies and tokens from a single device. From Bitcoin and Ethereum to emerging DeFi tokens, your Ledger supports the entire crypto ecosystem.

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about hardware wallets

A hardware wallet is a physical device designed to securely store your cryptocurrency private keys offline. Unlike software wallets that exist on internet-connected devices, hardware wallets keep your keys isolated from online threats. When you want to make a transaction, the hardware wallet signs it internally without exposing your private keys to your computer or phone. This makes hardware wallets one of the safest ways to store cryptocurrency, protecting you from hackers, malware, and phishing attempts.
Your 24-word recovery phrase is the ultimate backup of your cryptocurrency wallet. If your Ledger device is lost, stolen, damaged, or stops working, this phrase is the only way to restore access to your assets on a new device. The phrase is generated randomly and uniquely for your wallet, and it cannot be changed. By writing it down and storing it securely offline, you ensure that your cryptocurrency remains accessible even in the worst-case scenarios. Never store this phrase digitally or share it with anyone.
Yes, you can connect your Ledger hardware wallet to multiple computers and mobile devices. The Ledger Wallet app is available across all major platforms, and you can install it on as many devices as you like. Your private keys remain safely stored in the hardware wallet itself, not on the devices you connect to. This means you can manage your cryptocurrency from your work computer, home laptop, or smartphone while maintaining the same level of security.
If you lose your Ledger device, your cryptocurrency is not lost. As long as you have securely stored your 24-word recovery phrase, you can restore your entire wallet on a new Ledger device or compatible wallet software. Your assets are associated with the recovery phrase, not the physical device itself. This is why protecting your recovery phrase is crucial—it's the key to recovering your funds. If someone finds your lost device, they still cannot access your assets without your PIN code.
When you keep cryptocurrency on an exchange, the exchange controls the private keys, meaning they have custody of your assets. With a Ledger hardware wallet, you hold your own private keys, giving you complete ownership and control. Exchanges can be hacked, frozen, or shut down, potentially putting your funds at risk. A Ledger wallet ensures that only you can access and move your cryptocurrency. The common saying in crypto is "not your keys, not your coins"—a hardware wallet ensures the keys, and therefore the coins, are truly yours.