Ledger® Onboarding™ – Official Setup Hub for **Digital Asset Security**

Welcome to the definitive guide for performing the **secure setup** of your new **Ledger hardware wallet**. This process is the most critical step in establishing genuine **digital asset security** and taking full self-custody of your **private keys**. By meticulously following this official **Ledger Onboarding** guide, you ensure the integrity of your device and the absolute safety of your future **digital assets**.

Remember: the security of your entire **digital asset portfolio** relies on the correct, uninterrupted execution of the steps below, particularly the management of your **24-word recovery phrase**. We will guide you through PIN creation, **private keys** generation, and the mandatory **Genuine Check** within the **Ledger Live application**.

Pre-Setup Checklist: Ensuring a Foundation of **Digital Asset Security**

Before you power on your **Ledger hardware wallet**, it is essential to prepare your environment. A perfect **secure setup** starts with physical security and mental focus. This diligence is the first layer of protection for your **digital asset portfolio**.

Acquisition and Anti-Tampering Verification

The first step in **Ledger Onboarding** involves verifying your device's origin. Your **Ledger hardware wallet** should only be purchased directly from Ledger or an authorized reseller. Upon receiving the package, check for any signs of tampering—this is a non-negotiable step in ensuring **digital asset security**. The package should be sealed, and no components should appear disturbed. Any suspicion should lead to immediate contact with Ledger support.

Environment and Mindset Preparation

Find a quiet, private place where you will not be disturbed for 15-30 minutes. You will need the **recovery sheets** provided in the box, a pen, and your undivided attention. Never perform the **secure setup** in a public place, like a cafe with free Wi-Fi, or when you are tired or stressed. Your mental clarity is a key component of the **Ledger hardware wallet**'s security model, particularly for the **24-word recovery phrase** step.

Expert Tip on **Secure Setup**: While the **Ledger Live application** is often used for the setup process, the most critical steps (PIN creation and **private keys** generation) happen exclusively on the device's screen. The **Ledger hardware wallet** isolates these steps from your potentially compromised computer, reinforcing **digital asset security**.

Once you confirm your environment is secure, you can proceed to power on your **Ledger hardware wallet** and begin the official **Ledger Onboarding** procedure.

Initializing Your Ledger Hardware Wallet: The PIN Code

The first action on your new **Ledger hardware wallet** is setting the **PIN code**. This code is your physical access control. It prevents anyone from accessing your device and its stored **private keys** if the device falls into the wrong hands. The device will prompt you to set up this **PIN code** during the initial **secure setup** phase.

  1. **Power On:** Connect your **Ledger hardware wallet** to your computer or power source using the provided cable. The device will light up and display a welcome message.
  2. **Navigate to Setup:** Use the side buttons on the device to navigate through the initial greetings until you see the option to 'Set up as new device' or similar. Select this option.
  3. **Choose Your PIN Code:** You will be prompted to select a **PIN code** between 4 and 8 digits. A longer **PIN code** (e.g., 8 digits) offers significantly greater **digital asset security**.
  4. **Confirm PIN:** Enter your chosen **PIN code** twice, using the buttons to select numbers and pressing both buttons simultaneously to confirm each digit.

This **PIN code** encrypts the **private keys** that are stored within the device's secure chip. It must be entered every time you connect your **Ledger hardware wallet** to the **Ledger Live application** or any other interface to manage your **digital assets**. Do not confuse the **PIN code** with the **24-word recovery phrase**; they serve entirely different, yet equally vital, security functions.

PIN Code Best Practice: Avoid easily guessable combinations like '12345678' or birthdays. Treat your **PIN code** like an ATM PIN. This measure is essential for maintaining robust, long-term **digital asset security**.

The Sacred Scroll: Generating and Securing Your **24-Word Recovery Phrase**

This is the most crucial step in the entire **Ledger Onboarding** process. Your **Ledger hardware wallet** will now cryptographically generate your **24-word recovery phrase**, also known as the **seed phrase**. This phrase is the **master key** to your **digital asset portfolio**. It is the one and only way to restore your **private keys** (and therefore your funds) if your Ledger device is lost, stolen, or destroyed.

The generation of these **private keys** happens entirely offline, inside the device's isolated secure element, ensuring maximum **digital asset security** from the start. You must dedicate your full attention to this step.

  1. **Display the Words:** The **Ledger hardware wallet** screen will display the **24-word recovery phrase** one word at a time, starting from 1/24.
  2. **Write Down Meticulously:** Write each word down on your **recovery sheets** (the provided physical cards). Write neatly, ensure correct spelling, and verify the order. The words are case-sensitive but are always lower-case standard English words.
  3. **Verify the Phrase:** After writing down all 24 words, the device will randomly ask you to confirm specific words (e.g., "Word #10" or "Word #22"). This mandatory check is designed to ensure you accurately recorded the entire **master key**.
  4. **Confirmation Lock:** Once the device confirms your phrase is correctly recorded, the **Ledger hardware wallet** will display "Your device is ready." The **secure setup** of the **private keys** is complete.
IMPERATIVE WARNING: DO NOT DIGITIZE THIS PHRASE. Never take a photo, type, email, or store your **24-word recovery phrase** on any connected device (computer, phone, cloud, password manager). Storing this **master key** digitally instantly negates the **digital asset security** provided by your **Ledger hardware wallet**. Physical storage in a safe location is the only acceptable security measure.

If you lose this **24-word recovery phrase**, your **digital assets** are permanently lost if you can no longer access your Ledger device. Treat this phrase with the utmost reverence; it represents the self-custody that makes your **Ledger hardware wallet** the ultimate tool for **digital asset security**.

Connecting to the **Ledger Live Application** and the **Genuine Check**

With your **Ledger hardware wallet** securely initialized, the final phase of the **Ledger Onboarding** is connecting it to the **Ledger Live application**. This is the dashboard you will use for managing your **digital assets**, installing apps, and performing **firmware updates**.

Downloading and Running Ledger Live

Ensure you download the official **Ledger Live application** directly from the Ledger website (ledger.com). Run the application and select the option to initialize a new device.

  1. **Connect and Unlock:** Plug your **Ledger hardware wallet** back into your computer and unlock it by entering your **PIN code**.
  2. **Genuine Check Protocol:** The **Ledger Live application** will initiate the patented **Genuine Check**. This cryptographic verification process ensures that your Ledger device is an authentic product, not a counterfeit, and that its internal **firmware** has not been tampered with since leaving the factory.
  3. **Verification Success:** Upon successful **Genuine Check**, the application and your **Ledger hardware wallet** establish a secure, trusted connection. The **secure setup** environment is now fully authenticated.

The **Genuine Check** is a critical **security feature** that is executed every time you connect. It confirms that the device holding your **private keys** is trustworthy, adding an essential layer of **digital asset security** to the **secure setup** procedure.

Initial Configuration: Apps and Accounts

Once connected, you will use the Manager section of the **Ledger Live application** to install the necessary cryptocurrency applications (like Bitcoin, Ethereum, etc.) onto your device. These apps allow the **Ledger hardware wallet** to interpret and interact with specific blockchain networks. You can then use the Accounts section to synchronize your public addresses and begin viewing your **digital asset portfolio**.

Ongoing **Digital Asset Management**: Firmware and Best Practices

Completing the initial **secure setup** is only the beginning of proactive **digital asset security**. Responsible ownership of a **Ledger hardware wallet** involves routine maintenance and adherence to strict protocols.

Performing **Firmware Updates**

Periodically, Ledger releases **firmware updates** through the **Ledger Live application**. These updates are essential as they contain security enhancements, bug fixes, and support for new **digital assets**. Always follow these steps when updating:

  • Only use the official **Ledger Live application** for updates.
  • Ensure you have your **24-word recovery phrase** accessible (but not in sight) before starting any update, as a precaution, although your funds are always secure.
  • Verify the update details and status on the screen of your **Ledger hardware wallet** during the process.

The Golden Rule of **Private Keys**

Never enter your **24-word recovery phrase** into any software, website, or wallet application other than the initial on-device **secure setup** process. Any request to enter your **master key** digitally is a scam aimed at stealing your **private keys** and compromising your **digital asset portfolio**. The **Ledger hardware wallet** is designed so the phrase never leaves the device's secure element once created.

By making the **Ledger Onboarding** process your priority, you have taken the ultimate step in securing your financial future and achieving true self-custody. Your **digital asset security** is now in your hands, reinforced by the best-in-class protection of your **Ledger hardware wallet**.

Frequently Asked Questions on **Ledger Onboarding**

Losing your **24-word recovery phrase** means losing the sole **master key** to your **digital assets**. If your **Ledger hardware wallet** is damaged, lost, or reset, you will have no way to restore your **private keys** and your funds will be permanently inaccessible. This is why securing the phrase physically and privately during the **secure setup** is the most vital step in **Ledger Onboarding**.

No, they are distinct **security features**. The **PIN code** (4-8 digits) is a local password that unlocks the physical **Ledger hardware wallet**. The **24-word recovery phrase** is the cryptographic **master key** that can regenerate all your **private keys** on any Ledger or compatible wallet device. The PIN protects against physical theft; the phrase is the ultimate backup for your **digital asset portfolio**.

Absolutely not. Taking a picture, scanning, or typing your **24-word recovery phrase** onto any digital medium (phone, computer, cloud) is the single biggest threat to your **digital asset security**. If your device is connected to the internet, malware or cloud breaches can expose your **private keys**, rendering your **Ledger hardware wallet** useless. The phrase must remain offline and secure during the entire **secure setup** and thereafter.

The **Genuine Check** is a proprietary **security feature** that cryptographically verifies the authenticity of your **Ledger hardware wallet**. It confirms that the device is running official Ledger **firmware** and has not been compromised or tampered with by a malicious third party. This check ensures you are connecting your **digital asset portfolio** to a verified, trusted, and secure environment before you use it.

If your **Ledger hardware wallet** arrived with a **24-word recovery phrase** already written down or displayed an existing phrase upon first use, **STOP IMMEDIATELY**. This indicates that the device has been tampered with. It is not safe for use and must be returned to the vendor. A proper **secure setup** requires the device to generate and display the **private keys** for the first time *during* your personal **Ledger Onboarding** process.