Welcome to Ledger®
Ledger hardware wallets provide military-grade security for your crypto assets. Whether you’ve purchased the Nano S Plus or Nano X, this guide will walk you through setup, installation, and safe practices for managing digital currencies.
Step 1: Unbox Your Ledger
In your Ledger package, you should find:
- Your Ledger device (Nano X or S Plus)
- USB-C cable
- Recovery sheets
- Instruction card and stickers
Step 2: Download Ledger Live
Ledger Live is the official app for managing your wallet, coins, and tokens. It is available for Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS.
- Go to Ledger.com/ledger-live
- Choose your operating system
- Download and install the app
Step 3: Set Up Your Device
Open Ledger Live and select “Set up a new device”. Follow the prompts while doing the same on your Ledger device.
- Choose a strong 4–8 digit PIN
- Write down your 24-word recovery phrase
- Verify the phrase on-screen
Step 4: Install Apps & Add Accounts
In Ledger Live, go to the “Manager” tab. From there, install apps for the crypto assets you want to manage (e.g., Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana).
Then go to “Accounts” and add accounts for each coin. This lets you send/receive and monitor balances.
Step 5: Receive & Send Crypto
To receive crypto:
- Select your asset in Ledger Live
- Click "Receive"
- Verify the address on your Ledger screen before sharing it
To send crypto, initiate the transaction in Ledger Live and confirm details on the device.
Advanced Security: Passphrase Wallets
Ledger supports creating “hidden” wallets via passphrase protection. When enabled, this adds an extra layer of security.
- Accessible only when correct passphrase is entered
- Can be used to create multiple wallets on one device
- Passphrase is never stored — you must remember it
Security Best Practices
- Buy only from official sources (e.g., Ledger.com)
- Keep your 24-word phrase offline and hidden
- Never share or enter the phrase online
- Always use the official Ledger Live app
- Enable automatic firmware and app updates
Common Setup Issues
- Device not detected: Try a different USB cable or port
- Stuck on PIN entry: Hold both buttons to confirm selections
- Ledger Live won’t sync: Update to the latest version