Getting Started with Ledger Wallet (formerly Ledger Live)

1. The Foundation of Security: Preparation and Official Download

The **Ledger Wallet** application (recently known as Ledger Live) is the secure, all-in-one portal for managing your Ledger device and crypto assets. Crucially, the application itself **does not hold your private keys**; its sole purpose is to provide a user interface that communicates securely with the **Ledger hardware wallet** via USB or Bluetooth. This separation is the basis of **crypto security**.

The setup process must begin at the official source to prevent downloading compromised software. Always navigate directly to **Ledger.com/start** to guarantee the authenticity of the application.

Essential Pre-Setup Checklist

• **Download Ledger Wallet:** Securely download the Ledger Wallet application from the official site for your platform (Desktop or Mobile).
• **Device Integrity:** Verify that your **Ledger hardware wallet** (e.g., Nano X, Nano S Plus) packaging is factory-sealed and shows no signs of physical tampering.
• **Tools:** Prepare the blank **Secret Recovery Phrase** sheets and a reliable pen for permanent recording.
• **Privacy:** Ensure you are in a quiet, private location free from cameras or recording devices.

Once installed, launch the Ledger Wallet application and select **"Set up a new Ledger device"**. The application will guide you through the synchronization process with your device.

2. Initializing the Hardware Wallet: PIN and Secret Recovery Phrase

This phase is paramount to achieving **self-custody**. The generation of your **Secret Recovery Phrase** and **private keys** must occur entirely offline within the **Secure Element** of your device. Your computer running the Ledger Wallet application acts only as a progress tracker during this process.

Step-by-Step Initialization (Performed on the Ledger Device)

1. **Set PIN Code:** Connect your Ledger via USB and begin the setup. Use the physical buttons to select and confirm a strong **4-to-8 digit PIN code**. This code is essential for daily security and unlocking the device.
2. **Generate Secret Recovery Phrase (SRP):** The device screen will display the **24-word Secret Recovery Phrase** one word at a time. **You must write down every single word, in the exact order, on your Recovery Sheets.** This phrase is the only way to recover your assets if the device is lost or damaged.
3. **Verify the SRP:** The device will prompt you to confirm random words from your recorded list. This **on-device verification** of the phrase is mandatory to ensure your written backup is accurate.
4. **Secure Storage:** Once confirmed, your device is initialized. **Store the written Secret Recovery Phrase sheets in a secure, private, and resilient location (e.g., a safe or bank vault), completely separate from the Ledger device.**

The SRP is the master key. It should **never** be typed, photographed, saved digitally, or entered into any website or application—including the Ledger Wallet application itself, except during a formal recovery process (which is only verified on the device's screen).

3. Ledger Wallet Integration, Genuine Check, and Asset Management

With the **Secret Recovery Phrase** secured, you can return to the Ledger Wallet application to complete the setup, verify the device's authenticity, and begin managing your crypto portfolio securely.

The Ledger Genuine Check

The Ledger Wallet application includes a critical feature: the **Genuine Check**. This check is a cryptographic challenge-response mechanism that verifies two things:

• That your **Ledger hardware wallet** contains a genuine **Secure Element** chip.
• That the device is running Ledger's official, uncompromised firmware.

This verification requires you to **physically approve** the connection on your device's screen, ensuring the security of the process.

Managing Accounts and Apps

1. **Install Applications:** Use the **Manager** section in the Ledger Wallet application to install the specific blockchain apps (e.g., Bitcoin, Ethereum, Cardano) required for the coins you intend to hold.
2. **Add Accounts:** Add accounts for each cryptocurrency. The Ledger Wallet application securely synchronizes with your device to generate and display your public receiving addresses and account balances.

4. The Ultimate Security Feature: On-Device Verification

The foundational security principle of using a Ledger **hardware wallet** through the Ledger Wallet application is **on-device verification**, also known as Clear Signing. This step protects you from computer malware.

For every critical action—sending crypto, swapping assets, or staking—the Ledger Wallet application sends the transaction data to the **Ledger hardware wallet**. The device then displays the full details (recipient address, amount, and fees) on its small, secure screen. You must:

• **Verify Address:** The recipient address must be confirmed on the device's screen, matching the intended recipient.
• **Verify Amount:** The exact amount being sent must be checked.
• **Physical Confirmation:** You must **physically press the button(s)** on the device to approve the transaction.

Because the **Ledger hardware wallet** screen is completely isolated from the computer's operating system, malware cannot interfere with the information displayed there. If the details on the Ledger screen are correct, the transaction is safe. If they do not match, **DO NOT APPROVE** the transaction.

By using the official Ledger Wallet application and adhering to these rigorous steps, you achieve the highest standard of **crypto security**, confidently exercising true **self-custody** over your digital assets.