Ledger products are built around a combination of hardware and software security, meant to protect your private keys from a wide range of potential attacks. Use this guide to make sure your Ledger device is genuine, and not fraudulent or counterfeit.
A few simple checks will assure you that your device is a genuine Ledger product:
- Origin of the Ledger product
- Box contents
- Condition of the Recovery sheet
- Initial state of the Ledger device.
- (Advanced users) Hardware integrity
Since Ledger devices are manufactured in different periods of time, some characteristics such as the packaging and the color of internal components can present some slight differences. Don’t worry, this has no impact on the functionality of your device and your device is safe to use.
Buy from an official Ledger reseller
Purchase your device directly from Ledger or through the authorized distributor / reseller network to make sure you receive an authentic Ledger product. Our official sales channels include:
- Official e-commerce website: Ledger.com
- Official Amazon stores: USA, Canada, United Kingdom, Germany, France, Spain, Italy, Japan, Australia, Netherlands, Poland, Sweden, Turkey, India, UAE, Belgium, Mexico, and Singapore.
Ledger devices purchased from other vendors are not necessarily dubious. However, we do strongly recommend that you meticulously perform the safety checks below to ensure that your Ledger is genuine.
Check the box contents
The package of a Ledger Nano X should include:
- Ledger Nano X
- USB Type-C cable
- An envelope, including:
- Get started leaflet
- Use, Care and Regulatory Statement leaflet
- 3 Recovery sheets
- Accessories:
- Keychain
- Ledger stickers
-
Packaging: Ledger-branded cardboard box and sleeve
If you've purchased Ledger Nano using a referral link, your package will include an envelope with a card for claiming BTC. Make sure that the card is not scratched or damaged.
Check the recovery sheets came blank
Upon setup, your Ledger device will generate a new, unique set of 24 words called a recovery phrase. All the words should be backed up onto a blank recovery sheet.
Please note that you cannot choose your recovery words yourself. Instead, your Ledger device will randomly select your recovery words for you. All recovery words are picked from a standardized list called the BIP-39 list. It's important to let your Ledger device pick the words because humans are very bad at creating randomness.
Your recovery phrase is critically important to the security of your crypto. If someone else were to access your recovery phrase, they would be able to steal all your crypto assets secured by your Ledger device.
Important information regarding your recovery phrase and recovery sheets.
- Ledger the company will never provide you with a 24-word recovery phrase, pre-filled recovery sheet(s) or individual recovery words.
- Recovery words must be generated on your Ledger device screen during the initial setup and copied down on a blank recovery sheet.
- If your Ledger device came with pre-filled recovery sheets. Your device should be considered unsafe to use.
- If your Ledger device did not generate recovery words during setup. Your device should be considered unsafe to use.
- In those cases, please refrain from sending crypto assets to your Ledger device and immediately contact Ledger Support for assistance.
Blank Recovery sheet
The package of a Ledger Nano S should include:
- A Ledger Nano S
- Micro USB cable
- Get started leaflet
- 3 Recovery sheet
- Accessories:
- Keychain
- Lanyard
- Packaging: Ledger-branded cardboard box
If you've purchased Ledger Nano using a referral link, your package will include an envelope with a card for claiming BTC. Make sure that the card is not scratched or damaged.
Note: The paper cards and their envelope do not necessarily carry the Ledger logo.
Note that some Ledger Nano S boxes state “Made in China” because Ledger sources some raw and packaging material from China.
Check the recovery sheets came blank
Upon setup, your Ledger device will generate a new, unique set of 24 words called a recovery phrase. All the words should be backed up onto a blank recovery sheet.
Please note that you cannot choose your recovery words yourself. Instead, your Ledger device will randomly select your recovery words for you. All recovery words are picked from a standardized list called the BIP-39 list. It's important to let your Ledger device pick the words because humans are very bad at creating randomness.
Your recovery phrase is critically important to the security of your crypto. If someone else were to access your recovery phrase, they would be able to steal all your crypto assets secured by your Ledger device.
Important information regarding your recovery phrase and recovery sheets.
- Ledger the company will never provide you with a 24-word recovery phrase, pre-filled recovery sheet(s) or individual recovery words.
- Recovery words must be generated on your Ledger device screen during the initial setup and copied down on a blank recovery sheet.
- If your Ledger device came with pre-filled recovery sheets. Your device should be considered unsafe to use.
- If your Ledger device did not generate recovery words during setup. Your device should be considered unsafe to use.
- In those cases, please refrain from sending crypto assets to your Ledger device and immediately contact Ledger Support for assistance.
Blank Recovery sheet
The package of a Ledger Nano S Plus should include:
- A Ledger Nano S Plus
- USB A to USB Type-C cable
- An envelope including 3 blank Recovery sheets
- An envelope, including:
- Get started leaflet
- Start your crypto journey securely with Ledger Live card
- Use, Care and Regulatory Statement leaflet
- Accessories:
- A keychain
- Ledger stickers
- A keychain
- Packaging: Ledger-branded cardboard box and sleeve
If you've purchased Ledger Nano using a referral link, your package will include an envelope with a card for claiming BTC. Make sure that the card is not scratched or damaged.
Trust Yourself sheet is no longer included with the Ledger Nano S Plus package.
Check the recovery sheets came blank
Upon setup, your Ledger device will generate a new, unique set of 24 words called a recovery phrase. All the words should be backed up onto a blank recovery sheet.
Please note that you cannot choose your recovery words yourself. Instead, your Ledger device will randomly select your recovery words for you. All recovery words are picked from a standardized list called the BIP-39 list. It's important to let your Ledger device pick the words because humans are very bad at creating randomness.
Your recovery phrase is critically important to the security of your crypto. If someone else were to access your recovery phrase, they would be able to steal all your crypto assets secured by your Ledger device.
Important information regarding your recovery phrase and recovery sheets.
- Ledger the company will never provide you with a 24-word recovery phrase, pre-filled recovery sheet(s) or individual recovery words.
- Recovery words must be generated on your Ledger device screen during the initial setup and copied down on a blank recovery sheet.
- If your Ledger device came with pre-filled recovery sheets. Your device should be considered unsafe to use.
- If your Ledger device did not generate recovery words during setup. Your device should be considered unsafe to use.
- In those cases, please refrain from sending crypto assets to your Ledger device and immediately contact Ledger Support for assistance.
Blank Recovery sheet
Check for factory settings
- When turning on your Ledger Nano X for the first time, it should display the Ledger Logo. Release the buttons and the Welcome to Ledger Nano X - Press right to continue screen will be displayed.
- Ledger never provides a PIN code in any way, shape, or form.
Always choose the PIN code yourself. - If a PIN code is included in the packaging or instructions to get one elsewhere, or if the device requires a PIN code the first time you use it: the device is not safe to use. Please contact Ledger Support for assistance.
Ledger Nano X: Welcome
- Make sure your Ledger device was not preconfigured with a PIN code that you did not choose yourself. The device should display Welcome to Ledger Nano S Plus Press right button to continue when you turn it on for the first time.
- Ledger never provides a PIN code in any way, shape or form. Always choose the PIN code yourself.
- If a PIN code is given to you or if the device requires a PIN code you did not choose: it is not safe for you to use the device. Please contact Ledger Support for assistance.
Ledger Nano S Plus: Welcome to Ledger Nano S Plus
Check authenticity with Ledger Live
The genuine check is a cryptographic verification to ensure the authenticity of your Ledger device. This check is conducted by the Ledger Live app during your device's setup
Genuine Ledger devices hold a secret key that is set during manufacturing. Only a genuine Ledger device can use its key to provide the cryptographic proof required to pass the genuine check issued by Ledger Live.
Connection issues during the genuine check
Some users might experience connection issues during the genuine check, resulting in an endless loading screen. If you're affected, we recommend carefully following our USB troubleshooting guidelines to address the problem. Crucially, ensure that your USB connections are working and that you're using the correct ports and cables. Also, ensure your device is unlocked with your PIN and active prior to starting the check.
In summary
- Check your Recovery sheets came in blank.
- Set up your Ledger device by yourself. The Welcome screen should be displayed when first starting your device.
- Choose your own PIN code.
- Contact Ledger Support in case of doubt.
Learn more
Anti-tamper seals
Ledger deliberately chooses not to use anti-tamper seals on its packaging. These seals are easy to counterfeit and can, therefore, be misleading. Rather, genuine Ledger devices contain a secure chip that prevents physical tampering: this provides stronger security than any sticker possibly could.
Hardware integrity check
Advanced users can check the hardware integrity on the inside of their Ledger device. This article provides a non-exhaustive chronology of the different revisions of the Ledger Nano X builds. Please be aware that normal usage does not involve opening your Ledger device. Proceed to do so at your own risk. Ledger can not be held liable for any possible damage resulting from opening the device.