Official Site® | Ledger.com/Start®

Welcome to the Official Ledger® Setup Experience

Whether you're a crypto enthusiast, investor, or a newcomer to the blockchain space, securing your digital assets is non-negotiable. Ledger.com/Start® is the only official website you should use to initialize and configure your Ledger™ hardware wallet.

This guide will walk you through the full setup process step by step, ensuring your device is genuine, your assets stay safe, and you're prepared to enter the world of self-custody.

✅ Tip: Always type https://www.ledger.com/start manually into your browser. Never trust links from emails or social media.

1. What Is Ledger™ and Why Use It?

Ledger™ hardware wallets (such as Nano S Plus, Nano X, or Ledger Stax) provide offline storage for your private keys, making it virtually impossible for hackers to access your crypto remotely.

Supports 5,000+ cryptocurrencies
Offline key storage (cold wallet)
Compatible with mobile and desktop
Industry-leading security via a certified secure element (CC EAL5+)

2. Unboxing Your Device

When your Ledger device arrives, ensure the box is sealed and intact. Ledger does not use tamper-proof stickers — instead, the device verifies its integrity during setup.

Check for any signs of physical tampering
Use the official USB cable provided in the box
Get your recovery sheets and a pen ready

3. Visit Ledger.com/Start®

Open your preferred browser and navigate to the official setup site: Ledger.com/Start.

This will redirect you to download Ledger Live, the companion app used to manage your device and crypto accounts.

Download and Install Ledger Live

Select your OS: Windows, macOS, Linux
Download the latest version
Install and launch the application

⚠️ Never download Ledger Live from third-party websites or app stores. Only use the version from Ledger.com.

4. Initialize Your Device

Follow these steps in Ledger Live and on your hardware device:

Connect your Ledger using the USB cable
Select "Set up as new device"
Choose a PIN code (4 to 8 digits)
Write down your 24-word recovery phrase on the recovery sheet

🛑 Do not take photos, screenshots, or digital backups of your recovery phrase.

5. Confirm Your Recovery Phrase

Your Ledger will now ask you to confirm several of the 24 words from your recovery phrase. This step is mandatory and ensures you wrote them down correctly.

Double-check spelling and sequence — this seed is the only way to recover your funds.

6. Access Ledger Live Dashboard

Once your device is initialized and verified, you'll be redirected to the Ledger Live dashboard.

Install apps for each blockchain (e.g., Bitcoin, Ethereum)
Create accounts for each crypto you hold
View balances, send/receive assets
Stake supported tokens like ETH or DOT

7. Add Your First Crypto Asset

In Ledger Live:

Click "Accounts" → "Add Account"
Select your cryptocurrency (e.g., Bitcoin)
Install the app on your device if prompted
Create and name the new account

8. Receive Cryptocurrency

To receive crypto, generate a receive address:

Click “Receive”
Select your account
Copy the displayed address
Verify the same address is shown on your Ledger device screen

🔐 Always confirm the receiving address on the physical device. This prevents malware from spoofing addresses.

9. Send a Test Transaction

Before transferring large amounts, send a small test amount (e.g., $5–$10 worth of crypto) to verify your setup.

Check confirmations on the blockchain explorer
Ensure balances appear in Ledger Live

10. Security Tips for Long-Term Safety

Never share your 24-word seed with anyone
Keep your device and recovery sheet in separate safe locations
Avoid using Ledger devices on public computers or insecure networks
Enable auto-lock and use a secure PIN
Regularly check for firmware updates via Ledger Live

11. Advanced: Passphrase Option (Expert Users)

Ledger allows you to add an optional passphrase (25th word) to your