The definitive guide to **Self-Custody**

**How to Set Up Ledger** | Your **Secure Crypto Portfolio** Starts Here

Follow this essential **Ledger Setup** guide to initialize your device, create your **Recovery Phrase**, and connect to the **Ledger Live Wallet App**. This is the non-negotiable path to superior **Ledger Security**.

Begin Your Hardware Wallet Setup
1

Unboxing and **Ledger Device** Verification

Your **Ledger Setup** begins before you even power on the device. First, inspect the packaging. Your Ledger product should arrive with a tamper-proof seal or packaging that shows no sign of previous opening. This is your first layer of defense against supply chain attacks. A genuine **Ledger Hardware Wallet** is shipped *uninitialized*. If your device displays a pre-existing **Recovery Phrase** or **PIN Code** upon first boot, **STOP IMMEDIATELY**. This indicates tampering, and the device is compromised. Only proceed if the device instructs you to choose a new **PIN Code** or set up as a new device. This critical initial **Ledger Security** check is essential for ensuring your future **Secure Crypto Portfolio** is built on an uncompromised foundation. Never accept a pre-configured device, as this instantly voids your **Self-Custody**. This verification process is fully integrated with the **Ledger Live Wallet App** once you connect.

2

Choosing Your **PIN Code** for Daily Access

The **PIN Code** is your local access password for the **Ledger Hardware Wallet**. You must input this code every time you connect the device to the **Ledger Live Wallet App** or want to authorize a **Secure Transaction**. The PIN must be between 4 and 8 digits. While 4 digits might seem sufficient, we strongly recommend using a 6 or 8-digit **PIN Code** for enhanced **Ledger Security**. Crucially, you must select this PIN directly on the device screen (or using the device buttons for Model Nano S/X). **NEVER** enter your PIN on your computer. This physically isolated input is a core **Ledger Security** feature designed to protect your **Secure Crypto Portfolio** from screen-scraping malware and keyloggers. Take your time to select a unique number sequence that is easy for you to remember but impossible for others to guess (avoid birthdays, sequences like 1234, or repeating numbers).

PIN Best Practices:

  • Use 6 to 8 digits for maximum security.
  • Always enter the **PIN Code** only on the **Ledger Device** itself.
  • Never share or write the **PIN Code** near your device or your **Recovery Sheet**.

You will be prompted to re-enter your chosen **PIN Code** for confirmation. Once confirmed, your **Ledger Hardware Wallet** locks that PIN into its Secure Element, and you proceed to the single most critical step of the entire **Ledger Setup**.

3

The **Recovery Phrase**: Your Ultimate **Self-Custody** Key

This is the single most vital piece of information in your journey toward **Self-Custody**. Your 24-word **Recovery Phrase** (sometimes called the seed phrase or master seed) is the master private key to your entire **Secure Crypto Portfolio**. Everything generated by your Ledger device—all your Bitcoin addresses, Ethereum accounts, and every single **Digital Asset** you own—is mathematically derived from this 24-word sequence. If your **Ledger Hardware Wallet** is lost, stolen, or destroyed, this **Recovery Phrase** is the *only* way to restore your funds onto a new Ledger or any compatible hardware wallet.

The Sacred Rules of the **Recovery Sheet**

The **Ledger Device** will now display the 24 words one by one. **YOU MUST WRITE THEM DOWN**. Ledger provides a **Recovery Sheet** for this purpose. This is a critical manual step that cannot be overstated.

NEVER DO THIS:

  • **Never** take a photo of the **Recovery Sheet** (exposing it to the cloud).
  • **Never** type the phrase into a computer, smartphone, or cloud storage service (exposing it to hackers).
  • **Never** store it digitally in any form (encrypted or unencrypted).
  • **Never** share the phrase with anyone, even Ledger Support, which will never ask for it.

ALWAYS DO THIS:

  • **Always** use the provided **Recovery Sheet** and a non-erasable pen.
  • **Always** verify the spelling and order of every single word displayed on the **Ledger Hardware Wallet**.
  • **Always** store the physical **Recovery Sheet** in a secure, fireproof, and private location (a safe or secure deposit box).
  • **Always** consider making multiple copies (physical, written copies only) and storing them in geographically separated locations.

After writing down all 24 words, the **Ledger Device** will prompt you to complete a verification check. You must use the buttons to select specific words to verify the sequence. This is the **most important security check** of the whole **Ledger Setup**. This step ensures two things: first, that the device correctly generated the phrase; and second, that you, the user, have correctly transcribed it. If you fail this check, you must go back and write the phrase down again until the verification is successful. Without a correctly verified and securely stored **Recovery Phrase**, your **Self-Custody** is incomplete, and your **Secure Crypto Portfolio** is at risk. Mastering this step is the cornerstone of true **Ledger Security** and **Digital Asset Management**.

4

Finalizing **Ledger Setup** in the **Ledger Live Wallet App**

Once the **Recovery Phrase** verification is complete, your **Ledger Hardware Wallet** is ready for connection. Open the **Ledger Live Wallet App** (which you previously downloaded from the official ledger.com site). In the app, navigate to the "Initialize a new Ledger device" option. **Ledger Live** will guide you through the process of connecting your device via USB or Bluetooth (for the Nano X).

The Genuine Check: **Ledger Security** in Action

The final and highly automated step is the **Genuine Check**. **Ledger Live** performs a cryptographic challenge-response with the Secure Element chip inside your **Ledger Hardware Wallet**. This verification confirms that your device is a genuine Ledger product and has not been tampered with. This process is essential for ensuring your **Secure Crypto Portfolio** is not being managed by a clone device. The **Wallet App** will confirm success, and your **Ledger Setup** is complete. You can now use the app for **Digital Asset Management**.

The **Ledger Live Wallet App** is now your primary interface for managing your **Secure Crypto Portfolio**. Your next step is installing the individual crypto applications onto the device (e.g., Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana) and creating the corresponding accounts in **Ledger Live**.

5

Managing Your **Secure Crypto Portfolio**

With the **Ledger Setup** complete and the device initialized, you are ready to send your first funds. Remember: **Ledger Live** is the window, but the **Ledger Hardware Wallet** is the vault. When you want to receive funds, use **Ledger Live** to generate the address, and always double-check that address on the screen of your **Ledger Device**. When you send funds, the final confirmation of the amount and recipient address must be performed physically on the device itself. This mandatory **Secure Transaction** validation is the proof of your **Self-Custody**. This process ensures that even if malicious software changes the address displayed on your computer screen, the correct, verified address is shown on the Ledger device before you approve the transaction. Your **Secure Crypto Portfolio** is protected because the final signature authority rests entirely offline. This ongoing rigor is the definition of superior **Ledger Security**.

Congratulations on completing your **Ledger Setup**! You have successfully established the highest level of **Self-Custody** for your **Digital Asset Management**.

Ready to manage your **Secure Crypto Portfolio**?

Download the official **Ledger Live Wallet App** and begin your **Ledger Setup** immediately.

DOWNLOAD LEDGER LIVE

Always use the official ledger.com site for downloads and guides.