YOUR SELF-CUSTODY STARTS HERE

A little more
ownership. A lot
more peace.

Your first hardware wallet doesn't have to feel complicated. Take the important steps at your pace—with security and confidence built in.

Get started Read the beginner guide

A considered guide to securing what’s yours.

A sleek black hardware wallet shown in a softly lit studio setting

THE ESSENTIALS01 — 03

L.Security, held
in your hands.

THE FIRST THREE MOVES

Make your first steps
the right ones.

Good security isn't complicated.
It's a few small habits, done well.

Start with your device

Unbox your hardware wallet and check that its packaging and contents are intact before you begin.

A few minutes · Device check

Set up your recovery

Create a PIN and carefully record your recovery phrase offline, in the order shown on your device.

Your keys · Your responsibility

Verify before you act

Use the official Ledger app, confirm addresses on your device screen, and send a small test first.

Stay deliberate · Every time

01 / 03

Take your time. Never share your recovery phrase.

SECURITY, SIMPLIFIED

Your recovery phrase
is the master key.

It restores access to your wallet. Keep it private, offline, and somewhere only you can reach. No legitimate support agent will ever need to see it.

Understand the essentials

A NOTE TO KEEP

Never type your recovery phrase into a website, share it in a message, or save it in a screenshot.

Keep it yours. Always.

THE BEGINNER'S FIELD GUIDE

5 MIN READ · 03.26

LEDGER.COM/START

A calm, clear start
to self-custody.

A practical introduction to setting up a hardware wallet and building safer habits from day one.

Getting started with a hardware wallet is less about mastering complex technology and more about building careful habits. Begin by checking that your device came from a trusted source and that its packaging looks as expected. Follow instructions shown on the device, and create a PIN you can remember without writing it beside your wallet.

During setup, your device may generate a recovery phrase. These words are the backup to your wallet: anyone who sees them could access your assets. Write them down in order, keep them offline in a private place, and never photograph, email, or type them into a website. A support team should never ask you to reveal them.

Install wallet-management software only from the provider’s official website or verified app store. Keep device software current, and understand each prompt before approving it. When sending cryptocurrency, compare the address and transaction details on your hardware wallet’s screen—not only on your phone or computer.

For a first transfer, consider sending a small test amount and confirm it arrives before moving more. Self-custody gives you greater control, but also makes you responsible for protecting access and making informed decisions. Slow down, question unexpected requests, and treat your recovery phrase as a key that belongs only to you. A steady start is a secure start.

BEFORE YOU BEGIN

A few things worth
knowing.

What does a hardware wallet actually do?

It keeps the private keys that authorize transactions isolated from your internet-connected phone or computer. Your crypto remains on its blockchain; the device protects the keys used to access it.

What if I lose my device?

A replacement device can restore access using your recovery phrase. That is why keeping the phrase private, accurate, and safely stored matters as much as protecting the device itself.

Should I share my recovery phrase with support?

No. Never share it with anyone, including someone claiming to represent a wallet provider. Anyone with the phrase can control the assets associated with it.

YOUR NEXT STEP IS YOURS

Control looks good
on you.

Revisit the setup steps

A little moreownership. A lotmore peace.

Make your first stepsthe right ones.

Start with your device

Set up your recovery

Verify before you act

Your recovery phraseis the master key.

A calm, clear startto self-custody.