Overview

What is Ledger?

Ledger provides hardware wallets and companion software (Ledger Live) that keep your private keys offline in a secure element. Using a Ledger device means that signing transactions and revealing secrets happens on the device — not on your computer — which significantly reduces exposure to malware and web-based attacks.

Why use a hardware wallet?

Hardware wallets protect the single most important piece of information: your private key. Compared with custodial services or hot software wallets, hardware wallets minimize the attack surface and give you sole custody of your funds. This presentation covers setup, day-to-day workflows, backup & recovery, and safety tips.

Get started

Unboxing & first-time setup

Step-by-step

  1. Buy only from the official store or authorized resellers and inspect the packaging — tampering is uncommon but possible.
  2. Power on the Ledger device and follow the on-screen instructions to create a new wallet or restore an existing one.
  3. Write down your recovery phrase (24 words by default) on the provided recovery sheet; never store it digitally.
  4. Install Ledger Live on your computer or phone and connect the device to add accounts and manage apps.
Checklist
  • Device authenticity — purchase from ledger.com or authorized vendors.
  • Ledger Live downloaded from official source.
  • Recovery phrase written on paper and stored securely.

Daily use & workflows

Common tasks

Receiving funds

Use Ledger Live to generate receiving addresses. Confirm the address on the device screen before sharing — this ensures the address hasn't been tampered with by malware.

Sending funds

Prepare the transaction in Ledger Live or a connected wallet, then confirm the full transaction details on your Ledger device. Always verify amounts and destination on-device.

Advanced workflows

Ledger devices integrate with many third-party wallets and DApps through the developer portal and supported apps. For staking, swapping, or interacting with DeFi, prefer wallets and integrations that explicitly support Ledger.

Backup & recovery

Recovery phrases explained

Your recovery phrase is the master key to your crypto. Anyone with it can restore your accounts. Ledger recommends writing it on paper and keeping it in a secure physical place. Avoid digital photos, cloud storage, and note apps.

Ledger Recovery options

Ledger provides official guidance and services around recovery; learn about the Ledger Recovery Key and other recovery tools on the official site.

Security best practices

Do

  • Always download Ledger Live from the official site and keep firmware up to date.
  • Verify addresses on your device screen before approving.
  • Store your recovery phrase offline in a secure, geographically-aware location.

Don't

  • Never share your recovery phrase with anyone or enter it into an app or website.
  • Don’t buy used devices unless you’re comfortable securely wiping and verifying firmware — buying new from the official store is safest.

Troubleshooting & support

Common issues

If Ledger Live won't detect your device, try a different cable or USB port, ensure the device firmware is up to date, and consult Ledger Support for device-specific steps.

When to contact support

Contact official Ledger Support if your device is faulty, you suspect tampering, or you need guided help restoring a recovery phrase. Avoid third-party services that ask for your seed phrase.

Final notes

Ledger hardware wallets are a practical and secure way to hold crypto with self-custody. By following a few core practices — buying official devices, protecting your recovery phrase, and verifying everything on-device — you drastically reduce risk. Use Ledger Live for regular management, consult official docs for advanced integrations, and keep your devices updated.