Your definitive roadmap to initiate and secure your Ledger hardware wallet
Welcome to the Ledger.com/start® | Official Setup Guide®. This walkthrough will lead you step by step through registering, initializing, and safely using your Ledger hardware wallet. Whether you're brand new to crypto or moving up to hardware security, this guide is tailored to help you start confidently.
Throughout this guide, we’ll use plain, fresh language and provide you with best-practice advice. The keywords “Ledger.com/start®” and “official setup” will help anchor the tutorial. By the end, you'll feel comfortable with your device and understand how to guard your assets wisely.
Open your web browser, type Ledger.com/start into the address bar, and press Enter. This leads you to the official setup landing page, part of Ledger’s secure domain.
Use the supplied USB cable to connect your Ledger hardware wallet (e.g. Ledger Nano S, Nano X, or Nano S Plus) to your computer or mobile. Make sure the cable is genuine and intact.
You'll be prompted to download the official Ledger Live application, which is the companion app for managing your crypto accounts. Download a version compatible with your OS (Windows, macOS, Linux, or mobile).
Follow on-screen instructions to either create a new wallet or recover an existing one. If you choose “create a new wallet,” the device will generate a recovery phrase. Write it down carefully and store it offline in a secure location.
The device will randomly ask you to confirm certain words from your seed phrase. This verifies that you have backed it up correctly.
In Ledger Live, go to “Manager” to install blockchain apps (e.g., Bitcoin, Ethereum). Then navigate to “Accounts” to add or create your crypto accounts.
Use Ledger Live’s interface to send or receive digital assets. Every transaction must be approved on the physical device to ensure security.
Only use Ledger.com/start when setting up. Never enter your seed phrase into any website or software — the setup is done *on‑device* only.
Never store your recovery phrase digitally (no photos, no text files, no cloud). Use paper, metal, or other offline means.
Check Ledger Live regularly for firmware updates. Updates enhance security and compatibility. Always confirm firmware changes on the device itself.
Check spelling of URLs, use bookmarks for official sites, and don’t trust unsolicited links. Ledger never asks for your seed phrase or private key.
Consider multiple copies of your recovery phrase in separate safe locations. Do *not* store all in the same place.
A: Ledger.com/start® is specifically the onboarding URL that guides you step by step when you first initialize your device. Ledger Live is the installed application you use to manage your device afterward.
A: Yes — during setup, you can choose “Recover existing wallet” rather than creating a new one. You will input your recovery phrase using the hardware device interface, not on the website.
A: Yes, when you manually type or bookmark Ledger.com/start and ensure the SSL certificate is valid. The setup process never asks for your seed phrase on a website — input only happens on the device itself.
A: Losing your recovery phrase means losing access to your funds permanently. Ledger.com/start® encourages you to back it up securely before continuing. Always safeguard it in multiple safe offline locations.
A: No, you must complete the official setup via Ledger.com/start® to initialize the device, configure a PIN, and establish your recovery phrase. Skiping setup leaves the device unusable for real transactions.
If you ever run into issues during setup, you can contact Ledger Support through their official website or support portal. Always ensure you are on the legitimate ledger.com domain and never disclose your 24‑word recovery phrase to support or anyone.
In summary, follow the official onboarding steps at Ledger.com/start, confirm security best practices, and manage your crypto confidently via Ledger Live.