Welcome to the complete presentation-style guide for Ledger.com/Start®, the official onboarding portal for Ledger hardware wallets. Whether you are unboxing a brand-new Ledger Nano S Plus, Ledger Nano X, or Ledger Stax, this guide explains how to set up your device safely, install Ledger Live, secure your recovery phrase, and begin managing crypto assets with confidence. To begin the official process, always go directly to the authentic page: Ledger.com/Start® Official Setup.
Ledger hardware wallets are designed to protect private keys inside a certified Secure Element chip, keeping them isolated from malware, phishing, and online threats. However, even the strongest device can be compromised if setup is done on an unofficial site. That is why Ledger provides a dedicated onboarding portal. When you visit Ledger.com/Start®, you are guided through verified steps, official downloads, and security checks that ensure your wallet is genuine and untampered.
After unboxing your Ledger device, do not plug it in and search randomly online. Instead, open your browser and go directly to the official onboarding page at Ledger.com/Start®. Here, Ledger ensures that every step you follow protects your private keys and recovery phrase from exposure.
Ledger Live is the official companion app that allows you to manage crypto assets, install apps, check balances, and send or receive coins. On Ledger.com/Start®, select your operating system (Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, or Android) and download only from Ledger’s verified sources.
Ledger Live acts as a secure bridge between your hardware wallet and blockchain networks. It never has access to your private keys, which remain locked inside your Ledger device. All sensitive operations are confirmed physically on the device screen, adding a powerful layer of protection.
Once Ledger Live is installed, connect your device and follow the guided setup. The application will automatically route you through the correct steps, as documented on Ledger.com/Start®.
If your device is brand new, always select “Set up as new.” This ensures that the Secure Element generates private keys internally, without exposure to the internet or any external system.
Your PIN code protects the device from unauthorized physical access. Choose a unique PIN that is not used anywhere else. Never store it digitally or share it with anyone.
Ledger will never ask for your PIN, recovery phrase, or private keys. Any site or message requesting them is fraudulent.
The recovery phrase (also called a seed phrase) is the master backup of your wallet. During setup, your Ledger device will display 24 words, one by one. Write them down carefully on the recovery sheet provided. All official instructions for this step are detailed on Ledger.com/Start®.
Your recovery phrase can restore your wallet on any compatible hardware wallet if your Ledger is lost, stolen, or damaged. Anyone with these words can control your funds, so they must remain private and offline.
After setup, Ledger Live will perform a genuine check. This confirms that your device’s Secure Element is authentic and that the firmware is official. This verification step is always initiated from Ledger.com/Start® and protects users from counterfeit devices.
Ledger occasionally releases firmware updates to enhance security and functionality. Only install updates when prompted inside Ledger Live and never from third-party websites.
With your device verified, you can now install crypto apps (Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, and many more). Ledger Live’s Manager section lets you choose which blockchain apps to load. Detailed walkthroughs are always maintained at Ledger.com/Start®.
Accounts in Ledger Live simply display balances and transaction history. The private keys controlling these accounts never leave your hardware wallet. Every transaction must be confirmed physically on your device.
When receiving funds, always verify the address shown on your Ledger screen. When sending, review the amount and destination carefully before confirming. This habit protects you from malware that may try to alter addresses on your computer.
Ledger devices also support advanced features such as passphrases, multiple accounts, and integrations with third-party wallets. These options are explained in depth within the Ledger Support knowledge base linked from Ledger.com/Start®.
A passphrase acts as a “25th word,” creating hidden wallets derived from your recovery phrase. This can add plausible deniability and an extra security layer, but it must be used carefully because losing the passphrase means losing access to those funds permanently.
The official Ledger team will always direct users back to Ledger.com/Start® for legitimate resources and guidance.
Crypto security is not a one-time action; it is an ongoing practice. Ledger Support offers updated documentation, troubleshooting guides, and educational articles to help users stay protected as the ecosystem evolves.
If you ever encounter issues with setup, firmware, transactions, or device operation, return to the official portal: Ledger.com/Start®. From there, you can access the Ledger Academy, support center, and verified contact channels.
Ledger.com/Start® is more than a setup page—it is the foundation of your crypto security journey. By following the official onboarding process, verifying your device, protecting your recovery phrase, and confirming every transaction on-screen, you significantly reduce the risks associated with digital asset ownership.
Whenever you initialize a new device, reinstall Ledger Live, or help someone else begin, always remember the golden rule: start only at Ledger.com/Start®.