Ledger Nano X setup: a step-by-step guide from unboxing to your first transaction

Create a wallet, verify your device, update Ledger OS and test transfers in Ledger Wallet.

Ledger Nano X setup starts with creating a PIN and recovery phrase, verifying the device and adding an account in Ledger Wallet. This guide takes you through those steps on a computer over USB, then shows you how to check for Ledger OS updates, receive a small test amount and send a transfer. We also cover connecting to a phone, using third-party wallets and setting up an optional passphrase.

Ledger Nano X setup in Ledger Wallet

If you are creating a new wallet, follow the steps below in order. To access an existing wallet on the Nano X, choose the option to restore it using its seed phrase at the start of setup.

What you need

• A computer and a USB data cable: you need a supported version of Windows, macOS or Linux and an internet connection. Check the Ledger Wallet download page for current system requirements; Chromebooks are not supported.
• A pen and a blank Recovery Sheet: write the words down by hand in the correct order. If you need a backup that can withstand fire and water, prepare a metal backup.
• About 30–60 minutes: this is usually enough to work through setup carefully, although a device running older firmware may need several updates in sequence.
• A private place to work: keep the screen and written words out of view of cameras, video calls and other people. If the battery is flat, connect the Nano X to power.

Step 1. Inspect the device when it arrives

The standard package includes a Nano X, a USB-A to USB-C cable, three Recovery Sheets, a keychain strap and an information leaflet. If your computer has only USB-C ports, use a suitable USB data cable or adapter. Ledger does not rely on a holographic seal as its main proof of authenticity: the cryptographic check takes place in Ledger Wallet. Before starting setup, inspect the device and package contents and make sure the recovery sheets are blank.

A new Nano X should start with a welcome screen and an invitation to set up the device. You set your own PIN and generate a new seed phrase on the device. If it immediately asks for an unknown PIN or comes with recovery words already written down, stop the setup.

Step 2. Install Ledger Wallet and select Nano X

Ledger Wallet is the current name of the app formerly called Ledger Live. The steps below show initial setup in the desktop app over USB.

1. Type ledger.com into your browser’s address bar and open the official Ledger Wallet download page. Choose the version for your operating system and install the app.
2. Open Ledger Wallet and click Get started if you see the welcome screen. Connect the Nano X to your computer with a USB cable; a welcome message will appear on the device. Use the right button to scroll through the introductory instructions, then press both buttons together when the Nano X displays Press both buttons.

3. In Ledger Wallet, click Connect and select Nano X from the list of models.

4. On the first-time setup screen, choose Setup a New Nano X. Review what you need to have ready and click OK, I’m ready. Restoring an existing wallet requires a different option: recovery using its seed phrase.

Ledger Nano X setup on a computer uses a USB connection; Bluetooth is used with the mobile app. Do not download Ledger Wallet through ads, “urgent update” emails or browser extension stores, as fake apps may request your seed phrase under the pretext of syncing or checking your wallet.

Step 3. Create a PIN and write down your recovery phrase

Use the left and right buttons on the Nano X to scroll through options or select characters, and press both buttons together to confirm a selection. You set the PIN on the device itself, which also displays the new seed phrase and asks you to check the words you have written down. Ledger Wallet provides instructions alongside these steps.

1. On the Nano X, navigate to Set up as new device and press both buttons together.

2. Confirm that you want to create a PIN. Use the buttons to select each digit, pressing both buttons together to confirm it. The PIN can contain 4 to 8 digits; we recommend a random eight-digit code that you do not use anywhere else.
3. After choosing all the digits, finish entering the PIN and enter it again on the device. If the two entries match, the Nano X will move on to creating the recovery phrase.

4. When the Nano X displays Write down your recovery phrase, have your Recovery Sheet ready. Use the right button to read through the information screens and press both buttons when the device asks you to continue. You can also read the explanation of the phrase in Ledger Wallet and click Get started.

5. Write down all 24 words in the exact order, with their numbers, using the right button on the Nano X to move through them. Use the left button to return to a previous word if needed. At the end, check the entire written phrase and press both buttons to proceed to confirmation.

6. When you reach Confirm your recovery phrase, press both buttons. For each number shown, select the corresponding word from your written record and confirm it with both buttons. Complete the entire check; when it finishes, the device will display Your Recovery phrase is set.

7. Scroll right through the remaining instructions on the Nano X and press both buttons to finish when prompted. Put the written phrase somewhere safe, then click OK, I’m done! on the relevant Ledger Wallet screen to continue setup.

Your seed phrase is a backup from which the wallet’s keys can be recovered. If the Nano X is lost or breaks, you can restore access on another Ledger or a compatible wallet that supports the required standards and assets. Accounts protected by a passphrase also require an exact record of that passphrase. After three consecutive incorrect PIN entries, the Nano X erases its local secret data, so you also need the backup in case the device is reset.

For help choosing a backup medium and where to keep it, see “How to store a seed phrase: 5 safe methods in 2026”.

Ledger Recover: an optional recovery service

Ledger Recover is a separate paid recovery service that uses identity verification. With your consent and confirmation on the device, encrypted recovery data is split into parts held by independent providers. If Ledger Wallet offers the service during setup, you can skip it and use your own written seed phrase instead.

Before subscribing, check the Ledger Recover terms, including eligible countries and identity documents, pricing and the recovery process. The service requires trust in the providers and identity verification. It is not enabled automatically and is not required to use a Nano X. Do not confuse it with the physical Recovery Key NFC card, which the Nano X does not support.

Step 4. Run Genuine Check and choose your Sync settings

1. Return to Ledger Wallet after writing down and confirming the phrase. If the app asks questions about storing it, answer them without entering the 24 words on your computer. On the Ledger Genuine Check screen, click Check my Nano. The Nano X must be connected by cable and unlocked.

2. On the Nano X, approve Allow a secure connection with Ledger by pressing both buttons together. Wait for the check to finish in the app.

3. When Ledger Wallet shows All good! and confirms that the Nano X is genuine and ready to use, click Continue.
4. If Enable sync for your wallet appears next and you want to enable syncing, click Continue and confirm Turn on sync? on the Nano X with both buttons. Choose I’ll do it later if you prefer to set it up another time.

Ledger Sync synchronizes encrypted account data across your Ledger Wallet apps, such as those on your computer and phone. Recovering the wallet’s keys still requires the seed phrase and the passphrase, if you use one.

Genuine Check performs a cryptographic check of the device and its software. It complements your inspection of the package but cannot establish who has a copy of the seed phrase. If the check fails, do not transfer funds: check the connection and contact Ledger Support. If you cannot confirm a device’s authenticity, do not use its recovery phrase to store funds, even in a different wallet.

Step 5. Add Bitcoin and the accounts you need

After you complete Genuine Check and choose your Sync settings, the Ledger Wallet setup wizard offers to add your first asset. The Bitcoin app on the Nano X allows the device to work with that blockchain, while an account in Ledger Wallet shows addresses, balances and transaction history. At this stage, you are adding an account; you will transfer funds after checking for updates.

1. On the Secure your crypto screen, click Secure my crypto. Select Bitcoin from the Select asset list and follow the app’s instructions. If it offers to install Bitcoin on the device, wait for installation to finish.

2. When Ledger Wallet displays Open the Bitcoin app on your device, select Bitcoin in the Nano X menu and open it by pressing both buttons. The device will show Bitcoin app is ready, and Ledger Wallet will then find the available account.

3. On the Select the accounts you want to add screen, leave the required account selected — Bitcoin 1, Native SegWit in our example — and click Confirm.

4. Wait for Account added to your portfolio and click Continue. The account should appear under Accounts; a new wallet will have a zero balance at this stage.

To add other assets or return to this step after completing the wizard, open Accounts → Add account and select an asset. If the required blockchain app is not installed, click the profile icon, open My Ledger → App catalog, find the app and click Install. Then add the account again and approve the required actions on the device.

Ethereum and many EVM networks use the Ethereum app. ERC-20 tokens usually do not need separate apps on the Nano X: you manage them through an account on the relevant network. Tron and Solana require their own apps. If storage is running low, you can uninstall unused apps and reinstall them later while keeping the same wallet.

Step 6. Check for Ledger OS updates

Check for updates before transferring any funds. Our screenshots show an update from Ledger OS 2.5.0 to 2.7.0; your app may offer a different version. If there is no update notification, click the profile icon in the top-right corner and select My Ledger to check whether an update is available for the connected device.

1. Click OS update available at the top of Ledger Wallet. Connect and unlock the Nano X if you have not already done so, and approve the secure connection with both buttons when prompted.
2. On the device page, click Update in the Ledger OS update available banner. Read the warnings and release notes, then click Install update.

3. Confirm installation on the Nano X itself with both buttons and enter the PIN if requested. Wait for the process to finish; the device may restart several times during installation. Do not disconnect the cable or close Ledger Wallet while the update is in progress.
4. When Ledger Wallet displays Your Ledger Nano X OS is up to date, the operating system has been updated. Click Restore apps to reinstall the apps that were on the Nano X and wait for the process to finish. If the device is locked after restarting, unlock it with your PIN.

5. Return to My Ledger and check the installed OS version and the apps you need. If a device running older firmware is offered another update, repeat the process.

If the latest version is already installed or a new update is not yet available for your device, continue to the next step. Reinstalling apps does not change your wallet’s keys or remove assets from the blockchain. Some updates also require you to pair the device with your phone again over Bluetooth; follow the notes for the specific release. For preparation and troubleshooting, see our hardware wallet firmware update guide.

Step 7. Set up a passphrase if you need one

This step is optional: if you do not need an additional passphrase, skip to receiving a test amount. A passphrase combines with your seed phrase to create a separate set of keys and addresses. It is sometimes called a “25th word,” although it can be up to 100 characters long and contain letters, numbers and symbols. Enabling a passphrase does not move your existing funds: they remain at their original addresses until you transfer them to addresses in the new wallet.

Someone who obtains only the 24 words cannot access passphrase-protected accounts without the correct passphrase. However, a weak passphrase may be guessed, and you cannot assume that another wallet will stay hidden under physical coercion. Before using this feature, plan how you will store both secrets and recover access if the device is lost.

On an unlocked Nano X, hold both buttons to open Control Center, then go to Settings → Security → Passphrase. Read the warning and choose one of the two modes below. The menu path and process are also covered in Ledger’s passphrase instructions.

Attach to PIN lets you open passphrase-protected accounts with a second PIN instead of entering the full passphrase each time. You can attach only one passphrase to it: setting it up again replaces the previous association. You would then need the old passphrase to access the old accounts, so keep its written record.

1. In the Passphrase menu, select Attach to PIN and confirm Set secret passphrase if that screen appears.
2. Create a second PIN that differs from your main PIN, then enter it again to confirm.
3. Enter the passphrase on the Nano X and check it carefully. Confirm the setup with your main PIN when the device requests it.
4. Turn the Nano X off and back on, then unlock it with the second PIN. The second PIN will open the passphrase wallet, while the main PIN opens the standard wallet.

In Set temporary mode, the passphrase applies only to the current session. You must enter it on the device again to access the same accounts in a later session.

1. In the Passphrase menu, choose Set temporary and confirm Set secret passphrase if the device displays that prompt.
2. Enter and confirm the passphrase on the Nano X, then enter your main PIN to approve it.
3. Once set, the passphrase gives you access to the accounts it protects. To return to the standard wallet, restart the device and enter your main PIN. To reopen the protected accounts, enter the same temporary passphrase again.

Open the wallet with the passphrase you intend to use, then add its account in Ledger Wallet and give it a name that distinguishes it from the standard account. Verify the address on the Nano X, receive a small test amount, then open that wallet again and make sure you can sign a transfer. A visible balance in Ledger Wallet does not mean the connected Nano X has the required keys: added accounts remain in the app even after you switch the device to a different wallet.

Step 8. Receive a small test amount

Choose a small test amount that meets the minimum withdrawal requirement and covers the network fee. We will test receiving funds with the Bitcoin account added earlier.

1. In Ledger Wallet, open Receive, choose the required Bitcoin account and continue. Connect and unlock the Nano X, then open Bitcoin on it.
2. Wait for the address to appear in the app and on the device. Compare the entire address, using the Nano X buttons to scroll through every part. If the addresses match, navigate to Confirm on the device and press both buttons together.

3. Copy the verified address into the withdrawal form on your exchange or in another wallet. Check the network and the pasted address before sending the test amount.
4. Wait for confirmation on the network and make sure the transaction and balance appear in Ledger Wallet.

Checking the full address helps protect against clipboard substitution and address poisoning, where attackers create similar addresses with matching beginnings and endings. For tokens, check the network separately. For example, USDT on Tron and Ethereum uses different networks, address formats and Nano X apps.

Step 9. Send a test transfer

1. Have the recipient’s address ready. If you are sending to an exchange, open the deposit page for the correct asset and network and check its minimum deposit amount. If the service requires a memo or tag, include it as well.
2. In Ledger Wallet, open Send, choose the account, paste the address, enter the amount and check the fee. Token transfers also require the network’s native asset to pay the transaction fee.
3. Continue with the transfer, unlock the Nano X in the required mode and open the blockchain app. Check the recipient address, amount and fee on the device. Reject the request if any detail differs from what you intended.
4. At the final confirmation screen on the Nano X, press both buttons. Wait for Ledger Wallet to broadcast the transaction, then check that the recipient receives the funds once it is confirmed.

Successfully receiving and sending a small test amount checks the entire process. You can then transfer the main amount, verifying each new address and the transaction details on the device every time.

Bluetooth and third-party wallets

How to connect your Nano X to a phone

The Nano X uses Bluetooth with Ledger Wallet on iOS and Android. Install the app using the link from Ledger’s official website; these instructions are for connecting a device you have already set up.

1. Enable Bluetooth on your phone and Nano X. Unlock the device, open Ledger Wallet and choose the option to connect an already configured Nano X.
2. Grant the app the permissions it needs to find nearby devices. Select the Nano X when it appears in the list.
3. Compare the code on your phone with the code on the Nano X. If they match, approve the connection on your phone and by pressing both buttons on the device.
4. Wait for the connection to complete. Add the accounts you need in the mobile app, or use the available feature to transfer accounts from the desktop app; this does not require your seed phrase.

When using Bluetooth, you prepare the transaction in Ledger Wallet on your phone and review and approve it on the Nano X. The device creates the signature after your approval; intercepting Bluetooth traffic alone does not let an attacker sign transactions. If you do not need Bluetooth, hold both buttons to open Control Center and turn it off. A wireless connection is not needed when using USB.

MetaMask, Rabby, Sparrow and other interfaces

The Nano X works with third-party wallets, including MetaMask and Rabby for EVM networks, Sparrow and Electrum for Bitcoin, and Solflare and Phantom for Solana. The third-party app prepares the transaction, and the Nano X signs it. Choose the option to connect a hardware wallet and never enter your 24 words into the third-party app. Before connecting, close Ledger Wallet if it is occupying the USB connection, and open the relevant blockchain app on the device.

The Ethereum app has a Blind signing setting for operations it cannot fully display in a readable form. Some protocols require it, but the information you can verify on the device is limited in this mode. Only enable it when you understand the specific action and trust the verified source of the request. Disable Blind signing after the operation; if you cannot understand a request, reject it. Before using DeFi, also read our explanation of Approve, Permit and WalletConnect permissions so you understand the rights you are granting to contracts.

Common problems during and after Ledger Nano X setup

A fake Ledger Wallet app asks for the 24 words

Stop using that app. If you have already entered the phrase, treat it as compromised and move your assets to a new wallet with a new seed phrase generated on a verified device. First make sure you still have access to the old wallet: do not reset your only device until you have a verified backup and know how you will transfer the funds.

You cannot access the expected account after reconnecting

If you see different addresses or the Nano X cannot sign a transfer from the account you need, check that you unlocked the device in the same mode used when creating that account. A temporary passphrase stops applying when the device is switched off, so you need to enter it again to sign from its accounts. Attach to PIN requires the corresponding second PIN. A one-character mistake in the passphrase creates a different set of addresses; installing the blockchain app will not fix it. Also check the network and the number of the account you added.

The Nano X will not turn on after being stored

Connect it to power and wait a few minutes. A flat battery does not mean your wallet is lost, and the Nano X can run on USB power when connected to a computer. If it does not respond, try another cable and port. If a battery error or charging problem remains after checking the power connection, contact support.

MetaMask or Rabby cannot detect the device

Close Ledger Wallet and any other programs that may be using the connection. Unlock the Nano X, open Ethereum on it and try connecting the hardware wallet in MetaMask or Rabby again. If the device still does not appear, check the USB data cable, port and browser permissions for connecting to the device.

Funds were sent over a different network

First, check the transaction ID in the block explorer for the network used to send the funds. If the Ethereum, Arbitrum, Base and BNB Chain accounts use the same private key, their addresses match. The funds may therefore still be under your control, even though they are on a different EVM network. To see them, add the relevant account in Ledger Wallet or use a compatible interface with the Nano X connected.

Transfers between incompatible networks, or to a service that does not support the selected network, may be impossible to recover or may require help from the recipient’s support team. Before making a large transfer, make sure the sender and recipient are using the same network and send a small test amount.

If the transaction is confirmed but the funds are not displayed, use our guide “Sent crypto but the balance isn’t showing” to check the TxID, network and deposit status.

Three incorrect PIN entries

The Nano X resets after three consecutive incorrect PIN entries, erasing its local keys and settings. If you are unsure of the PIN after two mistakes, stop and check that you have the backup. A reset does not remove assets from the blockchain: access is restored using the correct seed phrase and, for the relevant accounts, the passphrase as well.

1. After the reset, select Restore from recovery phrase on the welcome screen. Create a new PIN on the Nano X and enter it again to confirm.
2. Choose the length of your phrase — 24 words for a new wallet created using this guide. Enter each word in the correct order using the device buttons, choosing it from the suggested options.
3. Once recovery is complete, connect the Nano X to Ledger Wallet, check the device in My Ledger, install the required apps and add your accounts. If you used a passphrase, enter it exactly as before to access the corresponding accounts.

Periodically check that the entire backup remains readable and that you can access it. Do not enter the words on a computer to “check” them, and do not reset your only working device just to experiment with recovery.

After setup

Your Ledger Nano X setup is complete once Genuine Check has passed, available Ledger OS updates are installed, your backup is stored safely and test transfers have succeeded in both directions. If you use a passphrase, also check that you can reopen its account after restarting. From then on, update the device through Ledger Wallet, protect the backup and review transaction details on the Nano X screen before approving them.