Welcome to Financial Sovereignty

Stepping into the world of self-custody is the most important move you can make in crypto. By using a Ledger device, you are moving your private keys offline, away from hackers, exchanges, and "hot" wallets. Ledger.com/start is your official entry point to ensure your device is genuine and your security is ironclad.

What You’ll Need Before Starting Your Ledger Hardware Wallet (Nano S Plus, Nano X, or Stax).

The USB cable provided in the box.

A computer (Windows 10+, macOS 10.15+, or Linux) or a smartphone (iOS 13+ or Android 10+).

The Recovery Sheets included in the box (for writing down your 24-word phrase).

About 20–30 minutes of uninterrupted time in a private environment.

Step 1: Download Ledger Live

The "heart" of your Ledger experience is the Ledger Live app. This is the interface where you manage your assets, install apps, and track your portfolio.

Navigate to Ledger.com/start.

Click the Download button for your specific operating system.

Install the application and open it.

Select "Get Started" and follow the on-screen prompts to choose your device type.

Critical Security Warning: Never download Ledger Live from a third-party site or an unofficial app store. Always verify you are on ledger.com. Ledger will never ask for your 24-word recovery phrase in the app.

Step 2: Genuine Check and Initial Connection

Once Ledger Live is open, connect your device to your computer using the USB cable.

Navigation: Use the buttons on your device to scroll through the welcome menu.

Genuine Check: Ledger Live will perform a "Genuine Check." This process verifies that your device has not been tampered with and contains the official Ledger Secure Element chip. This is a vital step in ensuring your hardware is safe to use.

Step 3: Set Your PIN Code

Your PIN code is the first layer of physical security. It prevents unauthorized users from accessing your device if it is lost or stolen.

On the device, select "Set up as new device."

Choose a PIN code between 4 and 8 digits.

Confirm the PIN by entering it a second time.

Pro Tip: Avoid easy-to-guess sequences like 1234 or 0000. If you enter the wrong PIN three times in a row, the device will automatically factory reset as a security precaution.

Step 4: The 24-Word Recovery Phrase

This is the most critical step in the entire process. Your 24-word Recovery Phrase (also known as a Seed Phrase) is the master key to all your crypto. If your Ledger device is destroyed or lost, these 24 words are the only way to recover your funds.

The device will display 24 words one by one.

Write them down exactly as they appear on your physical Recovery Sheet.

Double-check the spelling and the order of every word.

The device will then ask you to confirm the phrase by selecting the correct words from a list.

The Golden Rules of Recovery Phrases: Never take a photo of your recovery phrase.

Never type it into a computer, phone, or cloud storage.

Never share it with anyone, including people claiming to be Ledger Support.

Store the physical paper in a fireproof, waterproof, and hidden location.

Step 5: Install Apps and Create Accounts

Now that your device is secured, you need to tell it which blockchains you want to interact with.

Go to the "Manager" tab in Ledger Live.

Find the apps for the coins you own (e.g., Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana).

Click Install. This installs the necessary library on your Ledger device to sign transactions for that specific network.

Once installed, go to the "Accounts" tab and click "Add Account."

Follow the prompts to finalize the account creation. Your Ledger device must be connected and unlocked during this process.

Step 6: Your First Transaction

To ensure everything is working correctly, it is often recommended to perform a small "test" deposit.

Click "Receive" in Ledger Live.

Select the account you want to use.

Verify the address on your computer screen against the address shown on the physical Ledger device screen. They must match exactly.

Copy the address and send a small amount of crypto from your exchange or old wallet.

Once the transaction is confirmed on the blockchain, you will see your balance update in Ledger Live!