Detailed setup (complete guide)
Follow these steps carefully. Take your time when writing the recovery phrase — errors can result in permanent loss of access.
Step 1 — Inspect and power on
Unbox in a clean environment. Look for tamper seals, unusual stickers, or pre-filled fields. Only power on the device when you're ready to begin setup.
Step 2 — Initialize the device
Choose "Set up as new device" on the screen. The device generates a recovery phrase using its secure random number generator. Confirm that the words appear on the device itself.
Step 3 — Record the recovery phrase
Write each word clearly on paper or the provided recovery card. Consider using a small fireproof safe for long-term storage. Do not photograph, take screenshots, or store your phrase on a password manager or cloud.
Step 4 — Confirm phrase and set PIN
The device will ask you to confirm random words from the phrase to ensure you recorded them correctly. Then pick a strong PIN — not your birth date or obvious patterns.
Step 5 — Install apps & accounts
Open Ledger Live and install the specific cryptocurrency apps you need. Add accounts in Ledger Live for each blockchain and verify receive addresses on-device before sharing them.
Step 6 — Test with a small amount
Send a small test transfer to confirm everything works end-to-end. After you are confident, you can receive larger amounts.