This is the secure, definitive path for your **hardware wallet setup**. Master **seed phrase security**, install **Ledger Live**, and confidently begin your journey into self-custody for all your **digital assets**.
Start Your Secure Journey HereSecurity first, confidence always. Official instructions for **digital asset onboarding**.
The moment you unbox your Ledger Nano is the first critical step in **digital asset onboarding**. Before anything else, verify the integrity of the packaging. Official Ledger products always come sealed with anti-tamper safeguards. This initial physical check is an essential layer of **hardware wallet security**. Once verified, connect your device via USB to power it on. The device will first display a welcome message and initiate the crucial guided process. Remember, your Ledger device should *never* arrive pre-configured or with a pre-written **seed phrase**; if it does, halt immediately and contact support. True **hardware wallet setup** starts with a blank slate, ready for personalization.
The device itself is built around a certified Secure Element, protecting your private keys from physical and digital attacks. The purpose of this guide is to bridge that physical security with the software functionality of **Ledger Live installation**. Follow the on-screen prompts precisely. You will first be asked to choose a PIN code. This PIN acts as your immediate barrier against unauthorized physical access. Choose a code that is complex, unique, and easy for you to remember. Your Ledger device is designed to resist brute-force attacks by requiring increasingly long time delays after incorrect PIN entry, making this a strong initial layer of **seed phrase security**.
Completing the PIN selection successfully moves you to the most critical stage of **secure crypto management**: the creation of the **seed phrase security** backup.
Your 24-word Recovery Phrase is the *only* backup for your **digital assets**. It grants universal access to your crypto, regardless of the device. This phrase is generated *only* on the isolated Secure Element of your **hardware wallet**, ensuring it has never touched an online environment. Absolute **seed phrase security** is the single most important lesson in self-custody. Write down the words *exactly* as they appear, in the correct order, on the provided recovery sheets.
Do not take a picture, store it on a cloud drive (Google Drive, Dropbox), or type it into any computer. Digital storage exposes your backup to hackers. **Seed phrase security** means keeping it purely **offline**.
Laminate it or use a metal backup device. Store it in a fireproof safe, deposit box, or separate, secure location away from your Ledger device. This physical redundancy protects your **digital assets**.
The device will prompt you to verify the phrase. This is essential for **hardware wallet setup** completion. If you verify it correctly, you know your backup is safe. If you get it wrong, repeat the creation process until correct.
With your device initialized and your **seed phrase security** confirmed, you are ready for the software interface. Download **Ledger Live** *only* from the official **ledger.com/start** link or the legitimate app stores. Once installed, the desktop application serves as your window to the world of **digital asset** management.
After **Ledger Live installation**, launch the application. The program will immediately guide you through connecting your Ledger device. It performs a genuine check, verifying that your **hardware wallet** is authentic and hasn't been tampered with since leaving the factory. This security measure is crucial and confirms the integrity of your **hardware wallet setup**.
Once verified, the Ledger Live dashboard opens. Here, you can install the specific crypto applications (e.g., Bitcoin, Ethereum) onto your device's limited storage. This is how you prepare your **hardware wallet** to receive your **digital assets**. Start small, perhaps by setting up an Ethereum account and a Bitcoin account to cover the major bases of your **digital asset onboarding**.
You are now ready to engage with your crypto securely. For true **secure crypto management**, always start with a small test transaction.
In Ledger Live, generate a receiving address. **Crucially**, confirm the address shown in the application matches the address displayed on your **hardware wallet** screen. This dual-verification prevents clipboard hijacking and ensures your **digital assets** reach the correct destination.
When sending, Ledger Live prepares the transaction, but your Ledger Nano must physically confirm the recipient address and amount. This **clear signing** process, backed by strong **hardware wallet security**, ensures the transaction is exactly what you intend, even if your computer is compromised.
You can execute your **first crypto purchase** directly through verified partners in the Ledger Live app. The purchased crypto is sent directly to the public address generated by your device, instantly benefiting from maximum **seed phrase security** and **hardware wallet security**.
Download the official **Ledger Live** application to finalize your setup and begin managing your **digital assets** securely.
Download Ledger Live NowThe essential app for **secure crypto management**.