Ledger.com/Start — Complete Setup & Security Guide

What is Ledger.com/Start?

Ledger.com/Start is the official onboarding page Ledger provides for first-time users. It contains the step-by-step flow that helps you initialize a Ledger hardware wallet (such as Ledger Nano S Plus, Ledger Nano X) and download Ledger Live — the desktop and mobile companion app used to manage your cryptocurrency accounts and interact with decentralized applications. The page emphasizes security best practices to reduce the risk of loss or theft of private keys.

Before you begin

Before you visit Ledger.com/Start, make sure you have the following:

• A Ledger hardware device in its original packaging.
• A computer or mobile phone with an up-to-date browser and internet connection.
• Paper and a pen, or a certified metal backup (recommended) to store your recovery phrase — do NOT take a photo or store it digitally.
• About 15–30 minutes of uninterrupted time.

Important security note: Never share your 24-word recovery phrase with anyone. Ledger staff will never ask for your recovery phrase. Treat this phrase like the keys to a safe — if someone gets it, they control your funds.

Step 1 — Visit Ledger.com/Start and choose your device

Open a trusted browser and go to Ledger.com/Start. The official page will prompt you to choose your model and then walk you through the exact instructions that match your device. Confirm the model printed on your Ledger device and packaging.

1. Confirm the device model (Nano S Plus, Nano X, etc.).
2. Do NOT use links from emails or social networks — type the address or search ledger.com and navigate from the official site.

Step 2 — Unbox and inspect your Ledger hardware wallet

When you receive your Ledger, inspect the packaging for tamper-evident seals. The manufacturer designs packaging so any physical tampering is visible. If the packaging looks altered, contact Ledger support immediately and do not use the device.

• Box intact and factory seals present.
• Device and USB cable included.
• Instruction quick-start leaflet included.

Step 3 — Power on and initialize the device

Connect your Ledger to your computer or phone (depending on the model) using the supplied cable. The device should power on and show a welcome screen. Follow on-screen prompts to either:

• Set up a new device (generate a new recovery phrase), or
• Restore a device from an existing recovery phrase.

If this is a brand-new device, select Set up as new device. If you are migrating from another hardware wallet, choose Restore from recovery phrase and follow the restore instructions carefully.

Step 4 — Choose a secure PIN

Your Ledger requires a PIN code to unlock the device. Choose a PIN that you can remember but that isn’t easily guessable. Avoid using obvious sequences (e.g. 1234) or birthdays. The device will ask you to enter the PIN twice to confirm.

If you forget your PIN and enter the wrong PIN too many times, your Ledger will wipe itself and you must restore using your recovery phrase. That is why securely preserving the recovery phrase is critical.

Step 5 — Record your recovery phrase (24 words)

This is the most important step when using Ledger.com/Start. The device will display a 24-word recovery phrase (sometimes 12 or 24 depending on model/firmware) — write each word in order, exactly as shown. Use the supplied recovery card, or write neatly on a separate sheet of paper. Double-check spelling and order. Your recovery phrase is the only backup of your private keys.

• Never store the phrase digitally (no photos, no text files, no cloud backups).
• Consider a metal backup solution for long-term durability (fire, water, corrosion resistant).
• Store copies in geographically separated, trusted locations if holding large amounts.

Step 6 — Confirm the recovery phrase on the device

After writing the words down, your Ledger will ask you to confirm several of them in order to ensure you recorded them correctly. Use the device buttons to select the words exactly as you wrote them. Take your time — mistakes in this step could mean an unrecoverable wallet if the recorded phrase is wrong.

Step 7 — Install Ledger Live (desktop & mobile)

Ledger Live is the official companion app to manage your accounts, send and receive crypto, and install additional application packages on your device. From Ledger.com/Start, download Ledger Live for your operating system (Windows / macOS / Linux) or install the official mobile app from the App Store or Google Play.

1. Download Ledger Live only from ledger.com or official app stores.
2. Open Ledger Live and follow the onboarding — choose Initialize as new device or Restore device based on your earlier step.
3. Ledger Live will check firmware and may prompt you to update; allow updates from within the app while connected to your device.

Step 8 — Add crypto accounts

Inside Ledger Live, navigate to the Accounts tab to add the blockchains and accounts you want to manage. Ledger devices support many major coins and tokens through app installs — for example Bitcoin, Ethereum, and many ERC-20 tokens. Each blockchain requires its own app on the device which Ledger Live will install when requested.

When adding an account, Ledger Live derives public addresses from the private keys stored on your device. The device itself signs transactions so private keys never leave the hardware wallet.

Step 9 — Receiving and sending funds

To receive funds, in Ledger Live choose the account and click Receive. Always verify the address shown in Ledger Live with the address displayed on your Ledger device — the device screen is the single source of truth. To send funds, create a transaction in Ledger Live and confirm the details on your device before approving.

Always confirm that the receiving address matches and that there are no typos. Malicious software can attempt to change addresses shown on your computer; the device display prevents this attack.

Basic troubleshooting for Ledger.com/Start

• Device not recognized: Try a different USB cable or port. Ensure your computer has the latest OS updates. Disable conflicting software that may block USB devices.
• Ledger Live won't open or update: Reinstall Ledger Live from the official website. Make sure your antivirus or firewall isn’t blocking it.
• Forgot PIN: If you forget the PIN, Ledger will wipe after several incorrect attempts; restore with your recovery phrase. This is intentional to protect against brute-force attacks.

Security best practices

Protecting your crypto is largely about following strong security practices. Here are recommended best practices when following instructions on Ledger.com/Start:

• Always download software from official sources and verify the URL.
• Never disclose your 24-word recovery phrase to anyone, including people claiming to be support.
• Use a hardware wallet for long-term or high-value holdings rather than keeping funds on exchanges.
• Consider a passphrase (25th word) if you need deniable or additional layered security — understand the trade-offs first.
• Keep your device firmware up to date, but only update from the Ledger Live app or ledger.com instructions.

Advanced: Using a passphrase

Ledger devices offer a passphrase feature: an additional secret (sometimes called the 25th word) which extends your recovery phrase into a different wallet. A passphrase provides a way to create hidden wallets and increase security, but it also introduces complexity — if you lose the passphrase you lose access to funds stored under that passphrase. Use with caution and document your approach securely.

FAQ

Q: Can Ledger.com/Start be completed offline?

A: The device initialization (PIN & recovery phrase generation) happens on the device offline. However, Ledger Live installation and firmware updates require an internet connection. When possible, perform firmware updates on a trusted, secure computer.

Q: Can I restore my Ledger from another wallet?

A: Yes — if you have a BIP39-compliant recovery phrase from another hardware wallet, you can restore it to a Ledger device using Restore from recovery phrase. Make sure the recovery phrase length and derivation scheme are compatible with your target networks.

Q: What happens if my Ledger is lost or stolen?

A: If someone obtains your Ledger but not your recovery phrase and PIN, your funds remain secure. If both the Ledger and recovery phrase are compromised, the attacker can access funds. That is why storing the recovery phrase securely and separately is essential.

Wrapping up

Following the instructions at Ledger.com/Start and the steps in this guide will give you a secure foundation for managing cryptocurrencies. Hardware wallets like Ledger place private keys under your control while keeping them offline. Take the time to understand every step, especially recovery phrase handling and device updates — these are the pillars of secure self-custody.

If you'd like, save a printable copy of this page or export the relevant sections for offline storage. Always verify the official Ledger documentation for the latest UI changes and firmware updates as provided on ledger.com.