Why Ledger Matters
In the world of cryptocurrency, the phrase "Not your keys, not your coins" is the golden rule. When you leave your assets on an exchange, you are trusting a third party to secure your funds. A Ledger hardware wallet gives you full control by storing your private keys offline, in a secure chip, isolated from your computer and the internet.
This isolation creates a "cold storage" environment that is virtually immune to online hacks, malware, and phishing attempts that plague software wallets. By setting up your Ledger today, you are building a fortress around your digital wealth.
Secure Element
Military-grade CC EAL5+ certified chip designed to withstand sophisticated attacks.
BOLOS™ OS
A custom operating system that isolates apps from each other for maximum security.
Unboxing & Prerequisites
Before we begin the digital setup, let's inspect the physical device. Your Ledger box should contain the device itself, a USB cable, and several recovery sheets.
Ensure your recovery sheets are blank. If your device came with a pre-filled recovery phrase or a PIN code already set, DO NOT USE IT. Contact Ledger Support immediately. A genuine Ledger device will always generate a new phrase during setup.
What you need:
- A computer (Windows 10+, macOS 10.14+, or Linux)
- The Ledger device and USB cable
- A pen to write down your recovery phrase
- About 30 minutes of uninterrupted time
Step-by-Step Setup
Install Ledger Live
Download and install the official Ledger Live application from ledger.com/app. This is the dashboard where you will manage your accounts and install apps on your device.
Initialize the Device
Connect your Ledger to your computer. Navigate using the buttons to select "Set up as new device". You will be asked to choose a PIN code. This code unlocks your device for daily use.
The Recovery Phrase (Crucial)
Your device will display a series of 24 words. This is your Secret Recovery Phrase. Write these words down on the provided Recovery Sheet in the exact order they appear.
If you lose your device, this phrase is the ONLY way to restore access to your funds. If you lose this phrase, your funds are lost forever.
Verify and Finalize
The device will ask you to confirm the words you just wrote down. This ensures you haven't made any mistakes. Once verified, your device is ready! Open Ledger Live and follow the on-screen instructions to check the authenticity of your device.
Golden Rules of Security
Offline Storage
Never take a photo of your recovery phrase or type it into a computer, phone, or cloud storage.
Trust the Screen
Always verify transaction details (address, amount) on the Ledger device screen, not just your computer monitor.
Never Share
Ledger Support will NEVER ask for your 24-word recovery phrase. Anyone who asks for it is a scammer.