Ledger.com/Start®

Starting Up Your Device — Ledger® — Presentation

Introduction

Purpose of this presentation

This document is a clear, step-by-step presentation-style guide (approx. 2,500 words) for starting up your Ledger hardware device. It covers unboxing, first-time initialization, creating and storing your recovery phrase, connecting to Ledger Live, updating firmware, basic troubleshooting, and security best practices. The content is written to be read as a presentation or used as the basis for slides in an office-style deck.

How to use

Read each section as a single slide. Use the headings (H1 – H5) to structure your own presentation software export. The ten "Office Links" in the header are quick anchors for distribution or can be mapped to ten slide templates in an Office (PowerPoint) file.

Unboxing & First Glance

What to check in the package

  • Ledger device (Nano S, Nano S Plus, Nano X or other model)
  • USB cable (or USB-C depending on model)
  • Recovery sheet(s) and packaging materials
  • Quick start guide
  • Original box seals & authenticity markers

Visual inspection

Inspect the box for tamper evidence. Ledger devices are shipped sealed; if the packaging looks used, contact the vendor or Ledger support before proceeding. Do not connect a device that shows obvious physical tampering.

Device Power & Boot

Initial power-up

Connect the Ledger device to a computer or mobile device using the supplied cable. For Ledger Nano X, ensure the battery has sufficient charge before starting. The device will display a welcome screen prompting you to either create a new wallet or restore from a recovery phrase.

Important first decisions

  • Create a new wallet: Choose this when your device is brand new and you want a fresh seed phrase.
  • Restore from recovery phrase: Use this to recover an existing wallet when you have a known seed phrase.

Creating Your PIN

Why a PIN matters

The PIN prevents unauthorized use of your Ledger device if it is lost or stolen. Choose a PIN you can remember but that is not easily guessable (avoid birthdays, simple sequences, or repeated numbers).

Setting the PIN

  1. From the welcome screen choose "Set up as new device"
  2. Follow on-device prompts to select a 4 to 8 digit PIN (device-dependent)
  3. Confirm the PIN by entering it twice
PIN tips

If you forget your PIN, you'll need your recovery phrase to restore the wallet and create a new PIN. Never share your PIN with anyone. Ledger support will never ask for your PIN or recovery phrase.

Recovery Phrase: The Single Most Important Item

What is a recovery phrase?

Ledger devices use a BIP-39 compatible 24-word (or sometimes 12-word) recovery phrase. This phrase is the single backup of all private keys derived by your device. Whoever holds the phrase controls the funds.

Writing down your phrase

  • Write the words carefully on the supplied recovery sheets (or a metal backup plate for extra durability)
  • Do not store the recovery phrase electronically (no photos, no text files, no cloud storage)
  • Make multiple physically separated copies if needed and store them in secure locations (safe, bank deposit box)
Never share the phrase

Anyone who asks for your recovery phrase is malicious. If you suspect your recovery phrase has been exposed, move your assets immediately by creating a new device and transferring funds to a fresh wallet whose seed you control privately.

Initialize & Confirm the Seed

Device prompts

For a new device, after choosing a PIN the device will present the 24-word recovery phrase one word at a time. Read each word aloud and write it down in order. The device will later ask you to confirm a few randomly chosen words to ensure the phrase was copied correctly.

Confirming words

  1. Enter the selected word indices when the device asks for them
  2. Use the confirmation to validate your recording; if you make a mistake, the device will require you to restart the initialization

Install Ledger Live

What is Ledger Live?

Ledger Live is the official companion app for your Ledger device. Use it to manage accounts, install apps on the device, and send/receive transactions. Download Ledger Live from the official website only: ledger.com/start.

Connection steps

  1. Download and install Ledger Live for your platform (Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android)
  2. Open Ledger Live and choose "Get Started"
  3. Follow the on-screen steps to create or restore an account and pair your device
Troubleshooting connection

If the device is not recognized, try a different USB cable or port, ensure the device is unlocked, and make sure USB permissions (on macOS/Linux) allow access. For mobile, pair via Bluetooth only if using a supported Ledger model (Nano X).

Updating Firmware & Apps

Why firmware matters

Ledger periodically releases firmware updates that include security improvements, bug fixes, and new features. Keep firmware up to date. Note: updating firmware is sensitive; follow official instructions exactly.

Update process

  1. Open Ledger Live → Manager
  2. Unlock your device and allow Ledger Manager to access it
  3. If a firmware update is available, follow the prompts to update. The device will reboot and sometimes ask you to re-enter your PIN and confirm the recovery phrase step (follow instructions)
Installing cryptocurrency apps

In Ledger Live Manager you can install currency-specific apps (Bitcoin, Ethereum, etc.) on the device. Each app consumes a small amount of device storage; only install what you need.

Receiving & Sending Funds

Receiving

To receive funds, open the relevant account in Ledger Live, click "Receive", and verify the address shown on the device screen. Always confirm that the address in the app matches the address on the device before sharing it.

Sending

To send funds, create a transaction in Ledger Live and confirm the details on the device. The device signs the transaction locally; private keys never leave the secure element of the Ledger device.

Fees and confirmations

Be mindful of network fees. Ledger Live provides fee suggestions, but you can set custom fees for faster confirmations. Always double-check the recipient address and amount before confirming on-device.

Security Best Practices

Do's

  • Purchase devices only from the official store or an authorized reseller
  • Keep multiple offline copies of your recovery phrase in secure locations
  • Regularly update Ledger Live and device firmware from official sources
  • Enable passphrase support only if you understand how it works (adds extra security—but adds complexity)

Don'ts

  • Do not enter your recovery phrase on a computer or any website
  • Do not share screenshots, photos, or text copies of your seed words
  • Do not buy a second-hand device to receive funds without resetting and confirming the seed; buy new from trusted vendors

Troubleshooting & FAQs

Common problems

Device not detected

Try a different USB cable and port, ensure device is unlocked, update Ledger Live, and reboot the computer. Check browser permissions if using a web-based flow. For mobile, ensure Bluetooth is enabled and the device is paired.

Forgot PIN

If you forget your PIN, the device will lock after several incorrect attempts and will require a full reset. You can restore your wallet using your recovery phrase on the same or new Ledger device.

Suspicious websites or phishing

Only download Ledger Live from ledger.com/start. Beware of lookalike domains and unsolicited messages. Ledger support will never ask for your recovery phrase or PIN.

Advanced Topics

Passphrase (25th word) — Optional

A passphrase is an optional extra word (or phrase) that acts as a 25th word to the seed and creates a hidden wallet. It increases security but if lost or forgotten, funds in that hidden wallet are unrecoverable. Use only if you fully understand the implications.

Multi-account & multi-chain usage

Ledger supports many blockchains. Use separate accounts within Ledger Live per chain. For complex setups (staking, smart contract interactions), ensure the corresponding app is installed on the device and follow chain-specific guidance.

Summary & Checklist

Quick setup checklist

  • Unbox and inspect device for tamper
  • Set PIN and write down recovery phrase securely
  • Install Ledger Live from ledger.com/start and pair device
  • Install necessary currency apps and update firmware
  • Test with a small transaction before moving larger amounts
Final thoughts

Hardware wallets like Ledger are designed to keep your private keys secure even if your computer is compromised. The security of your crypto ultimately depends on how well you protect the recovery phrase and PIN.

Appendix & Resources

Useful resources

Office template anchors

Use the ten "Office Link" anchors at the top to map slides into an Office/PPT deck: they correspond to the major sections in this document (Intro, Unboxing, Boot, PIN, Seed, Initialize, Ledger Live, Firmware, Receive/Send, Security & FAQs).