Setting up a brand-new wallet on your Ledger Nano S is the first and most important step toward securing your cryptocurrency. Whether you've just bought your first hardware wallet or you're creating a fresh wallet for a new portfolio, this guide will walk you through every step of the process.
Creating a new wallet generates a unique set of private keys and a corresponding recovery phrase. This is your gateway to self-custody — meaning you, and only you, control your digital assets.
Before You Begin: What You'll Need
Gather these items before you start:
Your Ledger Nano S device
The USB cable included in the box
A computer with internet access (Windows 10+, macOS 10.14+, or Linux)
A pen or pencil
The three recovery phrase sheets from the box
At least 15 to 30 minutes of uninterrupted time
A private, secure location with no cameras or onlookers
Important: Do not rush through this process. Taking your time ensures you do it correctly and securely.
Step 1: Unbox and Inspect Your Ledger Nano S
Before setting anything up, verify your device is genuine and untampered.
Check that the box seal is intact. If the seal is broken or missing, do not proceed — contact Ledger support immediately.
Open the box and verify the contents:
Ledger Nano S device
USB cable
Getting started guide
Three recovery phrase sheets
Examine the device for any signs of physical tampering, scratches, or damage.
Confirm there are no pre-written recovery phrases or PIN codes in the box. A new Ledger device never comes with a pre-generated wallet.
Step 2: Download and Install Ledger Live
Ledger Live is the official desktop and mobile app that works with your Ledger device. You'll need it to manage accounts, install crypto apps, and update firmware.
Open your web browser and go to ledger.com/ledger-live
Always type the URL directly. Do not click links in emails or messages.
Click the download button for your operating system.
Once downloaded, run the installer and follow the on-screen instructions.
After installation is complete, launch Ledger Live.
Note: You can also use Ledger Live Mobile on iOS or Android, but the initial setup is easiest on desktop.
Step 3: Power On and Initialize Your Device
Now you'll set up the device itself. This is where your new wallet is created.
3.1 Connect and Power On
Plug the USB end of the cable into your computer.
Plug the other end into your Ledger Nano S.
The device will turn on automatically. You'll see "Welcome to Ledger Nano S" on the screen.
Press both buttons at the same time to begin the setup process.
3.2 Choose to Set Up as New Device
Use the left and right buttons to scroll through the options.
When you see "Set up as new device," press both buttons to select it.
Do not choose "Restore from recovery phrase" — that's for recovering an existing wallet, not creating a new one.
Step 4: Create Your PIN Code
The PIN code protects your device from unauthorized physical access. Anyone who gets hold of your Ledger Nano S will need this PIN to unlock it.
Select "Choose PIN code" by pressing both buttons.
Use the left and right buttons to scroll through numbers zero through nine.
When you see the number you want, press both buttons to select it.
Choose a PIN that is between 4 and 8 digits long.
We recommend at least 6 digits for better security.
Avoid obvious combinations like 1234, 0000, or birthdays.
After entering your chosen PIN, the device will ask you to confirm it.
Enter the same PIN again to confirm.
If you make a mistake while entering your PIN, you can go back by pressing the left button when the back arrow appears.
Step 5: Generate and Write Down Your Recovery Phrase
This is the most critical step in the entire process. Your 24-word recovery phrase is the master key to your wallet. If you ever lose or break your Ledger Nano S, this phrase is the only way to recover your funds.
5.1 Start the Recovery Phrase Process
The device will display "Recovery phrase" — press both buttons to continue.
Next, you'll see "Write down your recovery phrase" — press both buttons to confirm.
The device will warn you to write down the words in order and keep them safe. Press both buttons to proceed.
5.2 Write Down Each Word
The first word will appear on the screen, along with its number (Word 1 of 24).
Write this word down on your recovery phrase sheet next to number 1.
Write clearly and spell each word exactly as it appears.
Pay attention to similar words like "advice" and "advise," or "build" and "built."
When you've written the word down, press both buttons to move to the next word.
Repeat this process for all 24 words.
Take your time. Rushing leads to mistakes.
5.3 Confirm Your Recovery Phrase
After you've written all 24 words, the device will test you to make sure you wrote them down correctly.
The device will ask for a specific word by number (for example, "Word #7").
Use the left and right buttons to scroll to the correct word.
Press both buttons to confirm your selection.
The device will ask for several random words from your phrase.
Answer each one correctly to complete the verification.
If you get any word wrong, the device will make you go back and start the confirmation process over. This is a safety feature to ensure your written backup is accurate.
Step 6: Complete Device Setup
Once you've successfully confirmed your recovery phrase:
The device will display "Your device is ready."
Press both buttons to continue.
You'll see the Ledger dashboard, which shows the settings icon and any installed apps.
Your new wallet is now created and ready to use.
Take a moment to put your recovery phrase sheets somewhere safe. You'll need them later if you ever need to restore your wallet.
Step 7: Connect to Ledger Live and Complete Onboarding
Now let's connect your new wallet to the Ledger Live app.
Open Ledger Live on your computer if it's not already open.
Click "Get started."
Select "I already have a device."
Choose "Ledger Nano S" from the list of devices.
You'll see a checklist of setup steps. Go through each item and check it off.
Click "Check my device" when you're ready.
If your Ledger Nano S is locked, enter your PIN code on the device.
Ledger Live will perform a genuine check to confirm your device is authentic.
Once the check passes, click "Continue."
Step 8: Set a Ledger Live Password
For added security, you can set a password to lock the Ledger Live app itself.
When prompted, enter a strong password.
Enter it again to confirm.
Optionally, you can set how long the app waits before auto-locking.
Click "Continue."
This password only locks the Ledger Live app on your computer. It is separate from your device PIN and your recovery phrase.
Step 9: Install Your First Crypto App
Your Ledger Nano S can support many different cryptocurrencies, but each one requires a separate app installed on the device. Let's install your first one.
In Ledger Live, click on the "My Ledger" tab.
If prompted, unlock your Ledger Nano S with your PIN.
On your device screen, you'll see "Allow Ledger manager?" — press both buttons to allow it.
Back in Ledger Live, you'll see the App catalog with a list of available crypto apps.
Find the cryptocurrency you want to use first (Bitcoin and Ethereum are common starting points).
Click the "Install" button next to the app name.
Wait a few seconds for the installation to complete.
The app will now appear on your Ledger Nano S dashboard.
You can install as many apps as you need. The Ledger Nano S has enough storage for several apps at once.
Step 10: Add Your First Account
With the crypto app installed, you can now add an account to manage that asset in Ledger Live.
Go to the "Accounts" tab in Ledger Live.
Click "Add account."
Select the cryptocurrency you want to add (it should match the app you just installed).
On your Ledger Nano S, navigate to the corresponding app and open it by pressing both buttons.
Back in Ledger Live, click "Continue."
The app will sync with your device and create the account.
You can give the account a custom name if you want.
Click "Add account" to finish.
Your account will show a balance of zero since this is a brand-new wallet. You're now ready to receive cryptocurrency.
Step 11: Verify Your First Receive Address
Before you send any crypto to your new wallet, always verify the receiving address on both your computer and the device screen.
In Ledger Live, go to the "Accounts" tab.
Select the account you just created.
Click "Receive."
Make sure the correct account is selected and click "Continue."
Open the corresponding app on your Ledger Nano S if it's not already open.
The device will display the receiving address.
Compare the address on the device screen with the address shown in Ledger Live.
If they match exactly, press both buttons on the device to approve.
You can now copy the address from Ledger Live and use it to receive crypto.
Always do this verification step. It protects you from malware that might try to swap addresses on your computer screen.
Important Security Reminders
Now that your wallet is set up, keep these rules in mind:
Your recovery phrase is everything.
Never take photos or screenshots of it.
Never store it digitally — not in notes, email, or cloud storage.
Never share it with anyone. Ledger support will never ask for it.
Store it in a secure, fireproof, waterproof location.
Consider making multiple copies stored in different places.
Your PIN protects the device.
Choose a PIN you can remember but isn't obvious.
Never write your PIN on the device itself or keep it with the device.
After three wrong PIN attempts, the device resets automatically.
Always verify on the device screen.
Confirm addresses and transaction amounts on the Ledger screen before approving.
Never trust only what you see on your computer or phone screen.
Keep everything updated.
Regularly check for firmware updates in Ledger Live.
Keep Ledger Live itself up to date.
Update individual crypto apps when new versions are available.
What to Do Next
Your new wallet is ready. Here are some recommended next steps:
Send a small test amount first. Before transferring large sums, send a tiny amount to confirm everything works.
Install more crypto apps. Add any other cryptocurrencies you plan to hold.
Set up additional accounts. You can create multiple accounts for the same crypto if you want to organize your holdings.
Make a second backup copy. Create an extra copy of your recovery phrase and store it somewhere else.
Explore advanced features. Once you're comfortable with the basics, you can explore staking, NFTs, DeFi, and other features supported by Ledger.
Troubleshooting Common Setup Issues
Device not recognized by computer:
Try a different USB port or a different cable.
Make sure you're using the official Ledger cable.
Restart Ledger Live and reconnect the device.
Recovery phrase confirmation keeps failing:
Double-check the spelling of each word.
Make sure words are in the correct numbered order.
Go slowly — it's easy to mix up similar words.
Can't find a specific crypto app:
Make sure you're looking in the App catalog under "My Ledger."
Some tokens run on top of other blockchains and don't need a separate app.
Check if the asset is supported by Ledger.
App installation fails:
Ensure your device is unlocked and on the dashboard.
Check your internet connection.
Try restarting both Ledger Live and the device.
Final Thoughts
Creating a new wallet on your Ledger Nano S is a straightforward process, but it requires care and attention — especially when it comes to your recovery phrase. Take your time, follow each step carefully, and make sure your backup is secure before you transfer any significant amount of crypto.
