Ledger.com/start – Your Official Ledger Wallet Setup Guide

If you've purchased a Ledger hardware wallet and want to start securing cryptocurrency safely, the official place to begin is Ledger.com/start. This setup portal is designed to help new users install Ledger Live, initialize their device, and follow essential safety practices from the very beginning.

Why You Must Use Ledger.com/start

Today's crypto landscape contains a variety of fake tools and phishing websites. The official page, Ledger.com/start, is the only trusted entry point for:

  • Downloading the authentic Ledger Live application
  • Accessing verified setup instructions
  • Performing secure device initialization
  • Receiving accurate safety warnings and device updates
⚠️ Important: Your Ledger recovery phrase must never be typed into a website, computer, or phone. It should only appear ON your Ledger device screen, nowhere else.

Before You Begin: Review What Came in the Box

Ledger ensures its products are packaged securely before shipping. While unboxing your Ledger Nano S Plus, Ledger Nano X, or Nano S, you should find:

  • The Ledger device itself
  • A USB or USB-C cable
  • Recovery phrase sheets
  • Documentation cards
  • Optional sticker set

Ledger no longer seals boxes with tamper-proof stickers; instead, device authenticity is validated during activation through secure hardware components.

Step 1 — Open Your Browser and Go to Ledger.com/start

Type the address manually into your browser: Ledger.com/start This ensures you are landing on the genuine Ledger website and not a similar-looking phishing page.

Step 2 — Download Ledger Live

Ledger Live is the command center for your hardware wallet. It allows you to install apps, add accounts, and manage your digital assets securely.

The application is available for:

  • Windows
  • macOS
  • Linux
  • Android & iOS (limited mobile version)

Always download Ledger Live directly from the Ledger website to ensure the software is legitimate.

Step 3 — Launch Ledger Live & Choose "Set Up New Device"

When you open Ledger Live for the first time, you will be asked which wallet experience you need. Select:
"Set up a new Ledger device."

The app will guide you through the steps needed to prepare your wallet for use.

Step 4 — Create Your PIN

Your Ledger device will walk you through creating a PIN code. This PIN protects your wallet from unauthorized physical access.

Ledger recommends noting:

  • Use a PIN no one else can guess
  • Do not store your PIN digitally
  • Never share it with others

Step 5 — Write Down Your 24-Word Recovery Phrase

Your device will display a randomized 24-word recovery phrase — the only key that can restore your wallet. Ledger does NOT keep a copy of this phrase. If it is lost or stolen, access to the funds cannot be recovered.

Never store your recovery phrase in screenshots, cloud storage, mobile notes, or online backup tools. Write it down on paper and keep it secured offline.

Step 6 — Verify the Recovery Words

Your Ledger device will ask you to confirm the words you wrote down. This ensures you didn't make a transcription error. Only when the device confirms the phrase is correct should you move to the next step.

Step 7 — Install Crypto Apps Through Ledger Live

Each cryptocurrency requires a specific app installed on your Ledger device. From the Ledger Live "My Ledger" section, install apps for any coins you intend to store or transact with.

Ledger supports a wide range of assets, such as:

  • Bitcoin
  • Ethereum + ERC-20 tokens
  • Solana (SOL)
  • XRP
  • Polkadot (DOT)
  • Litecoin
  • And many more

Step 8 — Add Accounts and Begin Using Your Ledger

Once the appropriate apps are installed on your device, you can add accounts within Ledger Live. These accounts let you send, receive, and monitor your crypto holdings.

All outgoing transactions require physical confirmation on the Ledger device, keeping your private keys protected at all times.

Security Practices Every Ledger User Should Follow

  • Keep your 24-word recovery phrase offline
  • Verify all addresses and amounts directly on your Ledger device screen
  • Use Ledger Live for firmware updates — never third-party tools
  • Double-check any web links before clicking
  • Enable a passphrase if you want an additional layer of security

Final Thoughts

Following the official setup path via Ledger.com/start ensures you initialize your hardware wallet securely while avoiding risks associated with fake software or misleading instructions. Once your device is configured and your recovery phrase properly stored, you can manage your crypto portfolio with confidence, knowing your private keys remain protected inside industry-leading security hardware.