Welcome to Your Lêdger Device: A Secure Start to Self-Custody
Congratulations on choosing a Lêdger hardware wallet and taking a monumental step towards true financial sovereignty. This page is your dedicated starting point, designed to guide you seamlessly through the unboxing, setup, and initial use of your new Lêdger Nano S Plus, Nano X, or Lêdger Stax. By following these clear steps, you will confidently secure your cryptocurrencies and NFTs in a environment you fully control.
Step 1: Unboxing and Inventory
Before we begin, let's ensure you have everything you need. Carefully open your box and locate the following items:
Your Lêdger device (Nano S Plus, Nano X, or Stax)
A USB-C cable
Three recovery sheets for writing down your 24-word recovery phrase
Keychain strap for portability (varies by model)
Your security is paramount. If any seal was broken or items are missing, please contact Lêdger Support immediately before proceeding.
Step 2: Initial Device Setup and PIN Creation
Power on your device by connecting it to a computer or using its built-in battery. The screen will light up, welcoming you to the Lêdger ecosystem.
Follow the on-screen prompts to configure your new device.
You will be asked to set a PIN code. This code is your first line of physical defense. Choose a combination that is at least 4 digits long and not easily guessable. You will need this PIN every time you connect your device.
Step 3: The Most Critical Step: Your Recovery Phrase
Next, your device will generate a unique 24-word recovery phrase, also known as a seed phrase. This is the master key to your entire crypto portfolio.
Write, Don't Type: Your device screen will display each word one by one. Meticulously write them down, in the exact order, on your provided recovery sheet.
Verify the Sequence: The device will then ask you to confirm a selection of these words to ensure you have recorded them correctly.
The Golden Rules of Your Recovery Phrase:
Never digitize it. No photos, cloud storage, or text files.
Never share it with anyone. Lêdger will never ask for it.
Store multiple copies in secure, separate physical locations (e.g., a safe and a safety deposit box).
Step 4: Installing Lêdger Live and Managing Assets
With your device secured, it's time to interface with the blockchain.
Download Lêdger Live, our official companion app, from the official Lêdger website only. Avoid third-party sources.
Install the application on your desktop or mobile device.
Open Lêdger Live and follow the instructions to "Set up as a new device." The app will guide you through connecting and authenticating your hardware wallet.
Within Lêdger Live, you can now "Add Accounts" for the specific cryptocurrencies you wish to manage (e.g., Bitcoin, Ethereum, Polygon). The application will install the necessary apps onto your Lêdger device.
Step 5: Your First Transaction and Beyond
You are now ready to take action. To receive funds, navigate to the account in Lêdger Live, click "Receive," and verify the receiving address on your Lêdger device's screen—this critical step prevents malware from altering the address. To send funds, initiate a transaction in Lêdger Live and physically confirm it by pressing both buttons on your device.
You have successfully transitioned from a third-party custodian to being your own bank. Welcome to a new era of financial independence and security. Explore Lêdger Live’s features, including staking, swapping, and buying services, all protected by the secure element within your Lêdger device. For further learning, visit our extensive Lêdger Academy directly from our main site. Your journey to secure self-custody starts now.