A BEGINNER’S FIELD GUIDE 6 STEPS · 8 MIN READ

Ledger.com/start:
Your step-by-step
wallet learning path

A calmer way to get started with a hardware wallet. Learn what to prepare, what to verify, and the everyday habits that help keep your access in your hands.

Explore the 6 steps Independent educational resource
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YOUR LEARNING PATHSTART WITH THE BASICS ↘

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Generic black hardware wallet device displayed upright against a soft cyan and lavender studio background

↗YOUR KEYS, YOUR
UNDERSTANDING✳

LEARN AT YOUR OWN PACE 01—06

THE ROADMAP 6 SMALL, CLEAR STEPS

One step at a time.
Confidence by design.

You don’t need to know everything before you begin. Follow the path in order, pause whenever you need to, and return to these notes as your setup evolves.

01StartGet the mental model 02PrepareMake a safe workspace 03VerifyCheck every source 04Set upFollow the prompts 05SecureProtect recovery access 06ReviewBuild a repeatable habit

↳ Follow each marker to open the details below

THE LEARNING NOTES

Know the why.
Then take the next step.

01 START

BEFORE YOU BEGIN

Start with a useful mental model

A hardware wallet is a tool for protecting and using private keys—the credentials that authorize actions on a blockchain. It doesn’t store coins inside the device; balances and activity are recorded on networks, while compatible wallet software helps you view accounts and prepare transactions. The device is designed to keep key operations isolated and ask you to confirm important actions.

That distinction helps set realistic expectations. A wallet cannot reverse an on-chain transfer, guarantee an investment, or make every online interaction safe. You remain responsible for deciding what to approve, which network to use, and how to keep recovery information private. Take your time: pausing to verify a detail is part of a sound setup, not a mistake.

02 PREPARE

SET THE SCENE

Prepare a space you can trust

Unpack the device yourself and set aside a little uninterrupted time. Use a computer or phone you control, with a current operating system, a screen lock, and a trusted internet connection. Avoid public or shared computers, borrowed charging cables, and open Wi-Fi networks when handling wallet setup. Keep the original packaging until you have checked the device and its contents against current guidance.

Before connecting, decide where you will keep a written recovery backup. Choose a private, physically protected location that is not beside the device and is not exposed to visitors, cameras, or cloud-syncing apps. Do not photograph the backup or save it in notes, email, a password manager, or a document. Consider who could access your space and how you would find the backup later.

03 VERIFY

TRUST, BUT CHECK

Verify before you connect

Search results, sponsored links, QR codes, and direct messages can lead to convincing imitations. Navigate by typing a known address yourself or using a bookmark you created after checking it. Read the full domain carefully, including spelling and endings; a padlock in the browser only indicates an encrypted connection, not that a site is genuine. Never install setup software from an unsolicited download link.

Review the manufacturer’s current instructions for checking device integrity and installing its companion application. A new device should guide you through creating your own setup; stop if it arrives preconfigured, asks you to use recovery words supplied on a card, or behaves differently from the verified instructions. If something feels inconsistent, disconnect and seek help through a channel you found independently.

04 SET UP

FOLLOW THE DEVICE

Move through setup at your pace

Follow the on-device prompts and the official, current setup guide together. You will typically choose whether to create a new wallet or restore one you already own. For a new wallet, the device generates recovery words; write them down exactly as shown using the method the instructions recommend, then complete any verification prompts on the device. Never use words handed to you by another person or printed as a “backup” in the box.

Choose a PIN that is hard for others to guess and that you can remember without recording it beside the device. Learn how the buttons or controls confirm and cancel an action. Install only the verified companion software, connect the device as instructed, and add the account types you actually need. Understand what each permission or prompt means before approving it; you can stop and return later.

05 SECURE

PROTECT YOUR WAY BACK

Keep recovery information offline

Your recovery words can restore wallet access, so anyone who sees them may be able to control the associated assets. Keep them private, offline, and protected against loss or damage. Never type them into a website, share them with support, or reveal them on a video call. A request for your recovery words—however urgent or official-looking—is a reason to stop. Support staff should not need them.

Build safe browsing habits around every session. Use verified bookmarks, check addresses before connecting, and be wary of unexpected airdrops, giveaways, “account upgrades,” and direct-message support. Carefully compare transaction details on the device screen, especially the recipient and network; a computer display can be manipulated. Small test transfers may help you confirm a process, but they do not remove network or address risks.

06 REVIEW

A QUICK PRE-FLIGHT

Make the checklist a habit

Before finishing, make sure you can explain your setup in your own words. Confirm the device has a PIN you control, your recovery backup is legible and stored privately offline, and the companion software came from a source you verified. Know where to find trusted help without relying on a link from a message.

When you use your wallet later, check the destination and network on the device before approving. Keep your device and recovery backup in separate secure places, update software only through verified instructions, and stop if a prompt or request is unexpected. This is a general learning guide, not financial, tax, or security advice for your specific situation. Product steps can change, so consult verified manufacturer documentation for device-specific instructions.

GOOD QUESTIONS

Common questions,
clear answers.

Start here when a new term or security concern comes up.

01What is a hardware wallet for?

A hardware wallet keeps the private keys used to authorize transactions in a dedicated device. Your assets are recorded on their respective networks; the device helps you approve actions without exposing those keys to a general-purpose computer.

02Do I need to buy a device from a specific seller?

Choose a source you can verify independently and review the manufacturer’s current purchasing and authenticity guidance. Avoid unsolicited offers, second-hand devices with someone else’s setup, and links in unexpected messages.

03What are recovery words?

They are a human-readable backup that can recreate access to a wallet. Anyone who obtains them may be able to control the associated assets, so never share or enter them into a website, app, chat, or support conversation.

04Can support help me recover my recovery words?

Legitimate support should never ask you to disclose your recovery words. If a person or page requests them, stop immediately; use official help resources reached by typing the address yourself.

05Is setting up a wallet the same as buying crypto?

No. Learning to initialize a wallet and connect compatible software is separate from purchasing, transferring, or managing digital assets. Understand fees, network selection, and risks before making any transaction.

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A NOTE ON INDEPENDENCE

This page is an independent educational resource. It is not an official Ledger website and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or operated by Ledger. Product names belong to their respective owners. Always verify current instructions through sources you reach independently.

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