Ledger.com/Start

Welcome

Welcome to Ledger.com/Start — the official, step-by-step setup guide for your Ledger hardware wallet. This page walks you through unboxing, initializing, securing your recovery phrase, installing Ledger Live, and getting ready to send and receive crypto safely.

Before You Begin

• Only use the official site for downloads and instructions: ledger.com/start.
• Have a clean workspace and a pen to write down your recovery phrase — never store it digitally.
• Do not share your recovery phrase or PIN with anyone.

Step-by-Step Setup

1. Unbox & Inspect: Ensure packaging is untampered and you received official Ledger packaging.
2. Install Ledger Live: Download and install Ledger Live from the official site. Ledger Live is the companion app to manage accounts and firmware.
3. Connect Your Device: Plug in your Ledger device (USB or USB-C depending on model) and open Ledger Live.
4. Initialize Device: Choose “Set up as new device” or “Restore from recovery phrase” and follow on-screen prompts.
5. Create a PIN: Choose a PIN code that’s easy for you but hard for others to guess. Never write it next to your device.
6. Write Down Recovery Phrase: Carefully write the 24-word recovery phrase provided by the device on the supplied card or a secure backup — keep it offline and hidden.
7. Install Apps & Add Accounts: From Ledger Live, install apps for the coins you use (Bitcoin, Ethereum, etc.) and add accounts to begin managing assets.
8. Update Firmware: If prompted, update your device firmware through Ledger Live to ensure latest security fixes.

Security Best Practices

• Only download Ledger Live from ledger.com/start to avoid phishing sites.
• Never type your recovery phrase into a computer, phone, or website.
• Store your recovery phrase in a secure, offline location; consider multiple physical copies stored separately.
• Use the device PIN and enable any additional Ledger security features available for your model.
• Keep Ledger Live and your device firmware up to date; check release notes on the official Ledger website.

Troubleshooting

• Device not recognized: Try a different USB cable/port, restart Ledger Live, or reinstall Ledger Live from the official site.
• Forgot PIN: If you forget your PIN, you'll need to restore using your recovery phrase on the device after reset.
• Recovery phrase lost: If you lose your recovery phrase and still have device access, create a new wallet and securely back up the new recovery phrase immediately.
• Firmware issues: Use Ledger Live to update firmware; follow official instructions step-by-step to avoid interruptions.

Why Use Ledger?

Ledger hardware wallets store your private keys offline in a secure element, giving you the strongest protection against online threats. Paired with Ledger Live, you can manage hundreds of cryptocurrencies while keeping full control of your keys and transactions.

Final Steps

Once setup is complete, verify small test transactions before moving large amounts. Regularly review security updates from Ledger and consider storing your recovery phrase in a fireproof or otherwise protected safe.