LFIELD GUIDE / SELF-CUSTODYTHE LEARNING PATH ↘

A PRACTICAL STARTING POINT

From curious
to confident.

A considered first step makes all the difference. Use this guide to understand the wallet setup journey, protect your recovery information, and know what to check before you act.

Follow the path ↓
01 — 05SCROLL TO EXPLORE~6 MIN READ
✳ BEFORE YOU BEGIN

Start here.

Ledger.com/start is a useful place to begin exploring guidance for configuring a wallet and understanding the setup process.

This page is an independent educational guide, not an official Ledger support channel. Product screens and instructions can change, so use the official site and the prompts shown on your own device as your source of truth.

The important idea to carry forward: wallet setup is not just installing software. It is also learning how access works and taking responsibility for recovery information. Move through the stages below in order, and pause whenever something does not make sense.

↳ THE LEARNING PATH

Five steps. One steady pace.

Open any field note for an extra safety detail.
There is no timer and no need to rush.

01
STEP 01

Prepare

Take a moment to get the essentials in place.

Before beginning, identify the exact device and account you intend to use. Set aside uninterrupted time, make sure your computer or phone is up to date, and use a private network you trust. A calm, deliberate setup is safer than trying to rush through unfamiliar screens. If you are setting up while traveling or in a shared space, consider waiting until you can focus and keep private information out of view. Decide in advance where you can securely store a physical backup.

FIELD NOTERead more ＋

Keep your device, its packaging, and any official getting-started material nearby. Do not share your recovery phrase with anyone—not a support agent, a website, or a person claiming to help.

02
STEP 02

Verify

Confirm where every instruction comes from.

A convincing look is not proof that a page, message, or download is genuine. Search engines and social platforms can surface imitators, and legitimate-looking branding is easy to reproduce. Trust the address and the device—not visual polish or urgency. Navigate to Ledger.com/start by typing the address yourself or using a trusted bookmark. Check the domain carefully before entering information, and be cautious of sponsored search results, unexpected messages, and look-alike links.

FIELD NOTERead more ＋

Follow the instructions displayed for your specific device. If a prompt asks for your recovery phrase online or in an app, stop: recovery words should never be entered into a website or shared with support.

03
STEP 03

Set up

Move through the official journey one screen at a time.

The setup experience can guide you through preparing a device, installing the relevant companion software, and creating or restoring access. Read each prompt on the device itself as well as on screen. Take time to understand whether you are creating a new wallet or restoring an existing one; those paths have different implications. If you are unsure which applies, stop before confirming anything and consult the official instructions for your exact model. Avoid installing unfamiliar browser extensions or software suggested by an unsolicited message.

FIELD NOTERead more ＋

Choose a PIN privately and follow the device prompts. A new wallet generates a recovery phrase; an existing wallet is restored using the phrase you already safeguarded. Never photograph, email, or paste recovery words into a computer.

04
STEP 04

Secure

Treat recovery information as the key to your assets.

Your recovery phrase can restore wallet access, so anyone who obtains it may be able to control the associated assets. Write it down offline, in the order shown, and verify your transcription using the device’s confirmation process. Store it somewhere private, protected from loss, damage, and unauthorized access.

FIELD NOTERead more ＋

Do not store the phrase in cloud notes, screenshots, password managers, or messaging apps. No legitimate setup requires you to disclose it to another person. Consider your own risks before deciding whether and how to maintain a secure backup. A backup must be both inaccessible to other people and recoverable by you if the original device is lost. Think through that balance rather than relying on a single convenient copy.

05
STEP 05

Review

Pause and check the details before you proceed.

Confirm that your device and companion software are behaving as expected, your PIN remains private, and your recovery information is stored offline. Read transaction details on the device display before approving anything. Addresses and amounts deserve a careful second look; activity on a blockchain is generally difficult or impossible to reverse. Be especially wary of unexpected requests, time pressure, or promises that sound too good to be true. Learn how balances and transfers are represented before making a transaction.

FIELD NOTERead more ＋

A quick final scan: correct official source; device prompts understood; recovery phrase never shared or digitized; backup stored securely; transaction details checked on-device. If something feels unusual, stop and verify through official guidance before continuing.

✓
YOU’RE HERE

Ready

Prepared, informed, and in control.

You do not need to memorize everything. Keep the official instructions close, protect your recovery phrase, and take time to verify important details. Confidence comes from knowing when to proceed—and when to pause.

Visit Ledger.com/start ↗
BEFORE
YOU GO
✳
A LAST LOOK

Keep these close.

01 Navigate to the official source yourself.

02 Keep your recovery phrase private and offline.

03 Read device prompts and verify details before approving.

Not sure about a screen or request? Stop, don’t share sensitive information, and verify using official guidance.