Follow these carefully sequenced steps. If anything on your computer and on the device screen ever disagrees, cancel the action and review. The device’s screen is the only thing you should ultimately trust for addresses and approvals.
1Unbox, Inspect, Verify
Open the package and verify that it appears factory‑sealed. Check the device and included materials for tampering. If you see anything suspicious—scratches, previously written recovery sheets, unfamiliar accessories—stop and contact support before proceeding. For maximum assurance, purchase devices only from the official Ledger store or vetted resellers.
2Go directly to the official start page
Type ledger.com/start into your browser’s address bar and press Enter. Avoid search‑engine ads and third‑party links; phishing sites often imitate language, colors, and logos. Bookmark the official page now and use that bookmark going forward.
3Download Ledger Live
Choose the installer for your operating system (Windows, macOS, or Linux). When possible, verify the checksum/signature published on the site. Install the application and launch it once setup completes.
4Connect your device with a known‑good cable
Use a data‑capable USB cable or a trusted adapter. Cheap or charge‑only cables can cause detection failures during firmware updates. Keep the device connected and visible while you proceed through the flow in Ledger Live.
5Create a new wallet or restore an existing one
New wallet: The device will generate a brand‑new recovery phrase. Write the 24 words by hand on the provided sheets (or a metal backup). Do not photograph, type, or upload them. Restore: If you already have a recovery phrase, enter it on the device only—never on the computer. This defeats keyloggers and clipboard malware.
6Set a strong PIN and enable auto‑lock
Pick a non‑obvious PIN with sufficient length and randomness. Avoid birthdays, patterns, or repeated digits. Enable auto‑lock so the device protects itself when unattended.
7Run the genuine check & update firmware
In Ledger Live, run the built‑in genuine check to confirm your device’s authenticity. If a firmware update is available, apply it now while your device is empty or after you’ve confirmed you have a good offline recovery backup.
8Install apps and add accounts
For each asset you plan to manage (e.g., BTC, ETH), install the corresponding app on the device via Ledger Live, then select Add account. Consider creating separate accounts for testing, daily spending, and savings to reduce risk.
9Receive your first funds—verify on device
Click Receive and choose an account. Ledger Live shows an address, and your device will display it too. Compare every character; if anything differs, cancel immediately. For new counterparties, send a small test transaction first.
10Enable Ledger Live protections
In settings, turn on password lock for the Ledger Live app, review analytics/diagnostics toggles, and limit permissions to the minimum required. On desktop OSes, restrict screen‑recording and accessibility permissions.