1. Unbox & verify
Check packaging for tamper evidence. Ensure the device looks new with manufacturer seals intact (if present).
Overview: This guide explains Ledger hardware wallets, differences between models, how to set up and use them with Ledger Live, security best practices, and advanced workflows such as multisig and DeFi integration.
Ledger wallets are hardware devices that store private keys offline in a secure element chip. Transaction signing happens on the device so private keys never leave the hardware. This isolation protects funds from malware, remote hacks, and phishing attacks common to online wallets.
Ledger’s devices run BOLOS (Ledger’s OS), and interact with the desktop and mobile companion app, Ledger Live, which manages accounts, installs coin apps, and broadcasts signed transactions.
Compact, affordable, latest Nano S model with increased capacity for apps compared to the original Nano S. Good for users who want strong security without Bluetooth.
Higher-capacity device with Bluetooth for mobile convenience, larger storage for multiple apps, and an improved battery. Ideal if you manage many different assets and want on-the-go access.
Check packaging for tamper evidence. Ensure the device looks new with manufacturer seals intact (if present).
Download Ledger Live only from ledger.com. Install on desktop or mobile and follow the app’s onboarding. Ledger Live handles firmware updates and app installations.
Power on the Ledger and choose “Set up as new device” if you don’t have an existing recovery phrase. Pick a secure PIN (4–8 digits). The device will then generate a 24-word recovery phrase — write it down on the provided recovery sheet exactly in order.
Ledger will request you to confirm a few words. This ensures you wrote them correctly. This phrase is your backup: with it you can restore your wallets on another Ledger or any compatible BIP39 wallet.
Each cryptocurrency requires a corresponding app on the device (Bitcoin app, Ethereum app, etc.). Use Ledger Live’s Manager to install only the apps you need — device storage limits how many can be installed simultaneously.
Ledger Live is the central interface for creating accounts, checking balances, sending and receiving assets, and applying firmware updates.
Ledger Live notifies you of firmware updates. Only update when connected to Ledger Live and verify prompts on the device. Use the Manager to add/remove coin apps.
For business or high-value holdings, consider a multisig setup where multiple keys (across devices or people) are required to sign transactions. Ledger devices can act as signers in multisig wallets (e.g., with Electrum or other multisig software).
Ledger integrates with MetaMask and other wallets to interact with DeFi dApps. When connecting to a dApp, transactions still require on-device confirmation — but be extra careful to verify contract interactions and allowances.
You can use Ledger as a hardware signer with third-party wallets (Electrum, MyEtherWallet, MetaMask). This lets you benefit from Ledger’s secure key storage while using specialized wallet features.
Try a different USB cable/port, avoid hubs, and ensure Ledger Live is up to date. Reboot your computer if needed.
After three wrong attempts the device will wipe. Restore your wallet using your recovery phrase on the same or another compatible Ledger device.
If the phrase is lost and the device is inaccessible, funds are permanently unrecoverable. Treat recovery phrase backup with the highest priority.
Ledger’s design isolates keys in hardware and requires physical confirmation for transactions, making remote hacks extremely difficult. Most compromises occur from phishing, fake websites, or users exposing their recovery phrase.