The complete Ledger.com/Start setup guide for beginners. Protect your Bitcoin, Ethereum, and 5,500+ crypto assets with industry-leading security technology trusted by millions worldwide.
Secure Element chip protection
You own your crypto assets
Support for all major cryptocurrencies
Discover why Ledger hardware wallets are the gold standard for cryptocurrency protection. From beginners to institutions, secure your digital assets with confidence.
Your private keys are stored offline in a Secure Element chip, providing bank-grade security against online threats and hacking attempts.
Ledger Live app provides an intuitive interface to buy, sell, swap, and stake your cryptocurrencies all in one secure place.
Access and manage 5,500+ cryptocurrencies including Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, and all major DeFi tokens with full compatibility.
Quick setup in minutes with step-by-step guidance. Connect to DeFi protocols and Web3 applications seamlessly and securely.
Ready to secure your crypto assets?
Follow these simple steps to securely set up your Ledger hardware wallet and protect your cryptocurrency investments. The entire process takes less than 20 minutes.
Carefully unbox your Ledger hardware wallet and verify the contents. Ensure the device is genuine and hasn't been tampered with.
Check the Ledger seal and packaging integrity
Verify device authenticity using Ledger's guidelines
Connect your Ledger device to your computer via USB
Press both buttons simultaneously to turn on the device
Never use a Ledger device that arrives pre-configured or with a recovery phrase already set up.
Ledger hardware wallets use military-grade security technology, certified by independent security firms. Your cryptocurrency assets are protected by the same security standards used by banks and governments.
Your private keys never leave the device and are stored in a certified Secure Element chip, providing bank-level security against online threats.
Get answers to the most common questions about Ledger hardware wallets, setup process, and security features. Still need help? Our support team is here for you.
A Ledger hardware wallet is a physical device that stores your cryptocurrency private keys offline, providing maximum security against online threats. Unlike software wallets or exchanges, your private keys never leave the device and are protected by a Secure Element chip. This means your crypto assets remain safe even if your computer is compromised by malware or hackers. With rising crypto theft and exchange hacks, a hardware wallet is essential for anyone serious about protecting their digital assets.
The complete Ledger setup process typically takes 15-20 minutes for first-time users. This includes unboxing and connecting your device (2-3 minutes), downloading and installing Ledger Live (3-5 minutes), initializing your device with PIN and recovery phrase (5-8 minutes), and installing your first cryptocurrency apps (2-4 minutes). The process is straightforward with step-by-step guidance, and you can always add more crypto apps later as needed.
If your Ledger device is lost, stolen, or damaged, your cryptocurrency is still completely safe. During setup, you write down a 24-word recovery phrase (also called a seed phrase). This phrase can restore all your accounts and crypto assets on any new Ledger device or compatible wallet. Simply purchase a new Ledger device, select 'restore from recovery phrase' during setup, and enter your 24 words to regain access to all your funds. This is why it's crucial to store your recovery phrase securely offline.
Ledger hardware wallets support over 5,500 cryptocurrencies and tokens, including all major assets like Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), Solana (SOL), XRP, Cardano (ADA), Polkadot (DOT), and thousands of ERC-20 tokens. The device itself has limited storage, so you install only the apps for cryptocurrencies you own. You can install/uninstall apps anytime through Ledger Live without losing your assets. Popular DeFi tokens, stablecoins, and NFTs are also fully supported across multiple blockchains.
While you can buy Ledger devices from authorized retailers like Amazon, Best Buy, or official resellers, we strongly recommend purchasing directly from shop.ledger.com or verified Ledger distributors. Never buy a pre-owned or 'refurbished' device. Always verify the device's authenticity when it arrives - genuine Ledger devices come sealed and will never arrive with a pre-configured PIN or recovery phrase. If a device comes with a recovery phrase already written down, it's compromised and should not be used.
Yes! Ledger hardware wallets work with over 50 third-party wallet applications, including MetaMask, MyEtherWallet, Electrum, and many DeFi platforms. Your Ledger device acts as the secure key storage while you can use your preferred interface for transactions. This gives you flexibility to use various dApps and services while maintaining the security of your private keys on the hardware device. You can connect to Web3 applications, DEXs, and DeFi protocols directly through these compatible wallets.
Our expert support team is available 24/7 to help you with setup, troubleshooting, and any questions about your Ledger device.