This presentation walks you through the official Ledger onboarding flow: unboxing, connecting your Ledger device, installing Ledger Live, creating a new wallet, recording your recovery phrase safely, and initial troubleshooting. The steps here follow best-practice security guidance and point to official Ledger resources for deeper reading.
Hardware wallets like Ledger keep your private keys offline. Following the official setup path reduces the risk of scams, fake software, and accidental exposure of recovery data. Always verify official links and never share your recovery phrase with anyone.
Open the official Ledger start page on a desktop or laptop and download Ledger Live. Ledger Live is the official companion app for managing accounts, installing apps on your device, and sending/receiving assets. Do not download Ledger Live from unknown mirror sites or links you received in messages.
Official download path: https://www.ledger.com/start
Run the installer and follow the on-screen prompts. Ledger Live displays a cryptographic certificate during installation — accept only if it matches the official installer signature displayed on ledger.com/support (or the start flow).
When prompted on the device, choose to create a new wallet (recommended for first-time users) or restore using an existing recovery phrase. Creating a new wallet will generate a 24‑word recovery phrase (depending on device) — write this down in order and never store it digitally.
Inside Ledger Live, visit the "Manager" tab to install apps for Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, etc. Installing an app does not expose your keys — it simply enables the device to derive addresses for that blockchain. After installing apps, add accounts in Ledger Live to view balances and generate receive addresses.
Always verify the receive address on the Ledger device screen before sending funds. Ledger Live will show the address, but the device itself is the source of truth — verify visually on the device prior to any transfer.
Start with a small test transfer to confirm everything is configured correctly. When sending, double-check addresses, amounts, and fees. Use Ledger Live to set conservative fees if you're not in a rush.
Use these official pages for downloads, support, guides, and official announcements. Every link below points to Ledger's official domain; follow them for the most authoritative guidance.
Ledger cannot recover funds if your recovery phrase is lost or exposed — your recovery phrase controls access. Ledger support can help with device issues, but not with recovery phrase recovery if it was lost or shared.
Purchase only from the official Ledger store or authorized resellers listed on the official website. Avoid second-hand devices unless you are certain the device has been factory reset and the seller can prove provenance.