Why a hardware wallet matters

Short version: a hardware wallet keeps your cryptocurrency private keys offline — protecting them from hacks, phishing, and malware.

What you'll accomplish

By the end of this guide you'll be able to:

  • Create and secure a Ledger hardware wallet
  • Install Ledger Live and pair your device
  • Receive and send crypto safely
  • Understand recovery and backup best practices

Quick start — 5 core steps

  1. Unbox & inspect

    Check packaging for tamper evidence and confirm the product is sealed. Look for included accessories and the quick start card.

  2. Initialize your device

    Power on, create a new wallet, and write down the 24-word recovery phrase on the supplied recovery sheet — never store digitally.

  3. Install Ledger Live

    Download Ledger Live on your computer or mobile, create a profile, and update firmware if prompted.

  4. Install apps & add accounts

    Install the coin-specific apps (e.g., Bitcoin, Ethereum) from Ledger Live and add accounts to manage funds.

  5. Receive a test transaction

    Send a small amount to your new address and confirm on-device that the address matches what Ledger Live shows.

H1–H5 demonstration section

H4 — micro-guidance

Use H4 for short task titles (e.g., "Connect via USB").

H5 — tips & warnings

Write down recovery words in order. Never share them. Ledger staff will never ask for your recovery phrase.

Best practices — security checklist

  • Make multiple physical backups of your recovery phrase in separate secure locations.
  • Keep firmware updated — updates include security improvements.
  • Use official software — install Ledger Live only from official sources (links in footer).
  • Confirm addresses on-device before sending funds.

Troubleshooting & common questions

Device not recognized

Try a different USB cable/port, reboot, and ensure Ledger Live is allowed by your OS firewall. Avoid connecting through untrusted hubs.

Lost recovery phrase?

If you lose your recovery phrase, funds are irrecoverable unless you still have access to the device. Treat the recovery phrase as the only reliable backup.

Pro tip: For larger holdings, consider splitting amounts across multiple devices and using passphrase features for extra layers.
Open Ledger.com/start Get Ledger Live

Presentation-ready summary (for slides)

Slide 1 — Title

Get started with Ledger* | Ledger.com/start™

Slide 2 — Problem

Custodial risk & online attack surface are high; hardware wallets keep keys offline.

Slide 3 — Our 5-step setup

Unbox → Initialize → Install Live → Add accounts → Test tx

Slide 4 — Security checklist

Backup, firmware, official apps, on-device confirmations, multiple devices for large holdings.

Slide 5 — Contact & links

See official resources below for downloads, support, FAQs, and product pages.