Ledger Live Setup

**Ledger® Live: Getting Started**—Your First Steps to a **Secure Crypto Portfolio**

A simple, guided process to connect your **hardware wallet**, install apps, and start managing your **digital assets** with the industry-leading **security protocol**.

Start Your Setup Journey

Phase 1: Download and Verification of **Ledger Live**

The **Getting Started** phase begins with setting up your trusted operating **secure environment**. Before downloading, always inspect your **Ledger hardware wallet** packaging for signs of tampering. Once verified, download the **Ledger Live** application *only* from the official Ledger website. Avoid third-party app stores or shared links. **Ledger Live** is the critical software interface that interacts with your device, allowing you to view your **crypto portfolio**, manage accounts, and sign transactions. Ensuring the integrity of this software is the foundation of your entire **security protocol**.

✅

Authenticity Check

Before connecting, visually confirm the security seals on your Ledger box are intact. This physical inspection is the first layer of the **security protocol** when you are **Getting Started**.

⬇️

Official Download Only

Download the **Ledger Live** desktop or mobile application directly from the ledger.com website. This prevents downloading a corrupted or malicious client that could jeopardize your **digital assets**.

Phase 2: Initializing Your **Hardware Wallet** (PIN & Recovery)

This phase is executed primarily on the **hardware wallet** screen, keeping sensitive information isolated from your computer. The steps guided by **Ledger Live** will prompt you to initialize the device, which involves creating a unique PIN and writing down the **24-word Recovery Phrase**. This phrase is the unencrypted master key to your **crypto portfolio** and must be kept completely offline. Think of this phase as building the unbreachable vault that will hold your **digital assets**.

🔢

Set Your PIN Code

Select a unique 4- to 8-digit PIN using the buttons on your device. This PIN locks the **hardware wallet** when not in use, protecting against physical theft in the **secure environment**.

✍️

Secure the **Recovery Phrase**

Carefully transcribe the 24 words displayed on the device screen onto your **Recovery Sheet**. **Never** store this digitally. It is the sole backup for your entire **crypto portfolio**.

🤝

Connect to **Ledger Live**

Once the PIN and Recovery Phrase are set, plug your Ledger device into your computer and follow the **Ledger Live** prompts to establish a **secure connection** and verify firmware authenticity.

Phase 3: Building Your **Crypto Portfolio** and Receiving **Digital Assets**

With your Ledger device initialized and connected, **Ledger Live** becomes your control panel. The next vital step in **Getting Started** is installing cryptocurrency applications and adding accounts to your **crypto portfolio**. Remember, applications (like Bitcoin, Ethereum) are installed on the device via **Ledger Live**'s Manager section, but they do not hold your funds—they are simply the cryptographic interface needed to generate the **secure environment** addresses for those specific coins.

Steps to Receive Your First Assets

  1. Install Apps: Use the Manager in **Ledger Live** to install the necessary application (e.g., Bitcoin) onto your **hardware wallet**.
  2. Add Account: Click "Add Account" in **Ledger Live** and select the coin. **Ledger Live** will prompt you to unlock your device and open the corresponding app.
  3. Generate Address: Select "Receive" in your new account. **Ledger Live** will generate a unique address, which **must** be verified on the screen of your **hardware wallet**.
  4. Final Verification: Compare the address displayed on your computer screen with the address displayed on the Ledger device screen. If they match perfectly, you have confirmed a **secure connection** and can safely copy the address to receive your **digital assets**.

This address verification on the **hardware wallet** screen is the lynchpin of the **security protocol**. It ensures that no malware has swapped the address on your computer screen, protecting your first steps in managing your **crypto portfolio**.

Congratulations! You are **Getting Started** with Ledger Live

You have successfully executed the critical **initial setup** and established an unshakeable **security protocol**. You are now ready to confidently view, manage, and secure your **crypto portfolio**.

Launch Ledger Live

Your journey to mastering **digital assets** self-custody starts now.