Official Setup Guide for Ledger Wallets
Ledger Wallet™ is your all-in-one crypto wallet app to confidently and conveniently manage all your digital assets from one secure place while keeping your private keys offline, far from hackers' reach.
Industry-leading security for your digital assets
Your private keys are stored offline in a secure chip, protected from online threats and hackers.
You own your crypto. No third party can access, freeze, or control your digital assets.
Your 24-word recovery phrase ensures you can always restore access to your crypto, even if your device is lost.
In the rapidly evolving world of cryptocurrency, security is paramount. Unlike traditional banking systems where institutions safeguard your money, cryptocurrency ownership means you are your own bank. This revolutionary concept brings unprecedented freedom but also significant responsibility. Hardware wallets like Ledger represent the gold standard in cryptocurrency security, offering a sophisticated yet user-friendly solution to protect your digital wealth.
The fundamental principle behind hardware wallet security is the concept of cold storage. Your private keys—the cryptographic codes that prove ownership of your cryptocurrency—never leave the physical device. When you execute a transaction, it's signed within the secure chip of your Ledger device and only the signed transaction is transmitted to the blockchain. This means even if your computer is compromised by malware or viruses, your private keys remain completely isolated and protected.
Ledger devices utilize a Secure Element chip, the same technology used in credit cards and passports. This certified chip is designed to resist sophisticated physical and software attacks. It's tested against various attack scenarios and meets stringent security standards. Combined with Ledger's proprietary operating system (BOLOS), your device creates a fortress around your cryptocurrency assets that's virtually impenetrable when used correctly.
The recovery phrase system is perhaps the most ingenious aspect of hardware wallet security. When you initialize your Ledger device, it generates a unique 24-word recovery phrase using advanced cryptographic algorithms. This phrase is the master key to your cryptocurrency empire. It's derived from a massive pool of possible combinations—so large that the odds of someone randomly guessing your phrase are astronomically small, effectively making it impossible. This phrase allows you to restore your entire wallet on any compatible device, providing both security and peace of mind.
Understanding the threat landscape is crucial for cryptocurrency holders. Exchange hacks have resulted in billions of dollars in losses over the years. Software wallets, while convenient, are vulnerable to various attack vectors including keyloggers, clipboard hijacking, and phishing schemes. By keeping your assets on a hardware wallet, you eliminate the majority of these threats. The only time your wallet interacts with potentially unsafe environments is when you approve a transaction, and even then, you can verify every detail on the device's screen before confirming.
Follow these simple steps to secure your crypto
Choose your operating system above and download the official Ledger Live application. This is your gateway to managing your crypto assets securely.
Connect your Ledger hardware wallet to your computer. Follow the on-screen instructions to initialize your device and create a new wallet.
Write down your 24-word recovery phrase on the provided recovery sheet. Never share this with anyone and store it in a safe location.
Use Ledger Live to install cryptocurrency apps on your device. Each crypto requires its own app to manage transactions.
Send, receive, and manage your cryptocurrency portfolio with complete confidence. Your private keys never leave your device.
Never share your recovery phrase: Your 24-word recovery phrase is the ultimate key to your crypto. Ledger will never ask for it, and neither should anyone else. Treat it like the combination to a bank vault—because that's essentially what it is. Write it down on the provided recovery sheet, store it in a secure location (consider a fireproof safe), and never input it into any computer or take a digital photo of it.
Verify before you trust: Always download Ledger Live from the official Ledger.com website. Cybercriminals create fake versions of popular wallet software to steal credentials. Before installing any app on your device, verify it's the official version. Check the developer information, read reviews, and when in doubt, consult Ledger's official support channels.
Double-check receiving addresses: When receiving cryptocurrency, always verify the complete receiving address on your Ledger device's screen before sharing it with the sender. Advanced malware can alter addresses copied to your clipboard, redirecting funds to attackers. The address shown on your Ledger's screen is the only one you can trust completely.
Keep firmware updated: Ledger regularly releases firmware updates that enhance security and add features. Install these updates through the official Ledger Live application to ensure your device has the latest protections against emerging threats. Always verify that update prompts come from within Ledger Live, not from emails or pop-ups.
Use a PIN code wisely: Your device PIN protects against physical theft. Choose a PIN that's not easily guessable but that you can remember. After three incorrect attempts, your device will reset, requiring the recovery phrase to restore access—another layer of security protecting your assets.
Everything you need to know about Ledger wallets
Join millions of users worldwide who trust Ledger to protect their digital assets. Download Ledger Live today and take control of your cryptocurrency security.