Ledger.com/start — Your Official Guide to Setting Up Your Ledger Hardware Wallet
Welcome to Ledger.com/start, the official starting point for securely setting up and using your Ledger hardware wallet. Whether you're new to cryptocurrency or upgrading your security, this guide walks you through everything you need to get your device ready, protect your recovery phrase, and begin managing your digital assets with confidence.
1. Begin Your Ledger Setup
Your journey to secure self-custody begins by unboxing your Ledger device—typically the Ledger Nano S Plus or Ledger Nano X. Before powering on the device, make sure the packaging is sealed and untampered with.
Once confirmed, plug your Ledger wallet into your computer using the included USB cable.
Next, open your browser and visit Ledger.com/start. This ensures you are accessing the authentic setup environment, avoiding phishing pages that may mimic the Ledger site. From here, you will be guided to download Ledger Live, the official application used to manage your cryptocurrencies.
2. Install Ledger Live
Ledger Live is the heart of the Ledger ecosystem, allowing you to manage accounts, track your portfolio, install apps, and securely send or receive crypto.
Download the correct version for your operating system—Windows, macOS, or Linux—then install and launch it.
Once Ledger Live is open, select “Get Started” and choose your device model. You’ll then receive step-by-step instructions for initializing and securing your hardware wallet.
3. Set Up Your Pin & Recovery Phrase
When you power on your Ledger device for the first time, it will prompt you to create a PIN code. This PIN protects your wallet from unauthorized physical access.
After creating your PIN, the device will generate a unique 24-word recovery phrase. This phrase is the master key to your crypto. Ledger will provide a recovery sheet for you to write down your 24 words in the correct order.
Important rules for your recovery phrase:
Never take photos or digital copies
Never share the words with anyone
Store the phrase in a safe, offline location
Ledger will never ask for your phrase online
If your device is ever lost or damaged, your recovery phrase will allow you to restore your wallet and access all your assets on another Ledger device.
4. Install Apps & Add Crypto Accounts
After securing your recovery phrase, open Ledger Live to install the apps for the cryptocurrencies you want to manage—such as Bitcoin, Ethereum, or other supported networks.
Once apps are installed on your device, you can add accounts to Ledger Live and begin receiving crypto.
All transaction signatures must be confirmed physically on your Ledger device, ensuring that your private keys always remain offline and protected.
5. Managing Your Assets With Ledger Live
With the setup complete, Ledger Live becomes your secure control center. You can:
View your real-time portfolio
Send and receive crypto
Buy, swap, and stake supported assets
Track price movements and manage multiple accounts
Ledger Live provides advanced features for both casual users and experienced investors while maintaining uncompromising security.
Conclusion:
By following the instructions at Ledger.com/start, you create a strong, secure foundation for managing your digital assets. With your Ledger hardware wallet and Ledger Live working together, you retain complete ownership and offline protection of your crypto—today and in the future.