Official Site®|Lédger.com/Start® | Getting Started

In an age where digital assets continue to reshape global finance, the importance of protecting your cryptocurrency has become more critical than ever. While software wallets offer convenience, hardware wallets like Ledger provide a far superior level of security by keeping your private keys offline and safe from remote attacks. If you’ve recently purchased a Ledger device or are considering it, the official starting point you need is Ledger.com/Start®, the trusted onboarding page where you can begin your secure crypto journey. This article provides a complete, detailed walkthrough—perfect for beginners and experienced users alike—on how to set up your device, safeguard your recovery phrase, install Ledger Live, and confidently manage your cryptocurrencies.

Why Ledger Hardware Wallets Are Considered Industry Leaders

Before jumping into the step-by-step instructions, it’s important to understand why Ledger wallets have gained such a strong reputation in the crypto world. Ledger uses a unique, proprietary security component known as a Secure Element (SE)—the same type of chip you find in passports, credit cards, and high-security IDs. This chip isolates your private keys from the internet, even when your device interacts with the Ledger Live software.

Another important factor is Ledger’s operating system, BOLOS, which gives each app its own secure, dedicated environment. This ensures that if one crypto app on the device encounters issues, the others remain protected. Ledger’s commitment to transparency, firmware updates, and user control has helped millions of people safeguard coins, tokens, and NFT assets worldwide.

When you visit Ledger.com/Start®, the official onboarding portal, you are guided through an authentic and secure setup process designed to protect you from phishing, tampering, and other security threats.

Step 1: Visit the Official Ledger Setup Portal – Ledger.com/Start®

Every Ledger journey begins at the official site. Going directly to the official path is crucial because scammers often create imitation pages that look nearly identical. Always type the URL manually in your browser:
Ledger.com/Start®

Once you reach the site, you’ll find device-specific setup guidance for the Ledger Nano S Plus, Ledger Nano X, and Ledger Stax. The page provides official instructions, firmware updates, and verification steps. This ensures you do not receive incorrect or unsafe guidance from unofficial sources.

Step 2: Unboxing and Authenticating Your Ledger Device

When your package arrives, examine the box carefully. Ledger devices do not come with pre-written recovery phrases or PIN codes. If you find one inside the box, it is almost certainly a scam or tampered product. The official package includes:

The Ledger hardware wallet

A USB-C cable (or USB-Micro depending on the model)

Recovery sheets for writing down your 24-word phrase

A quick start guide

Optional accessories like stickers

Ledger’s website explains how to confirm that your device is genuine. Ledger devices perform their own internal attestation check on first boot, ensuring that the Secure Element chip is authentic. If the device fails any internal tests, you will be warned immediately.

Step 3: Download Ledger Live – The Central Hub for Crypto Management

The next major step is downloading Ledger Live, the official software interface that allows you to manage your crypto portfolio. This is the trusted platform where you install apps on your device, send/receive assets, check balances, and stake supported cryptocurrencies.

To download Ledger Live safely:

Visit Ledger.com/Start®

Install the software and allow it to update automatically

Never download Ledger Live from unofficial sources, third-party websites, or attachments in emails. Crypto security always begins with avoiding compromised software.

Step 4: Initializing Your Ledger Hardware Wallet

Once Ledger Live is installed, connect your device using the USB cable. Your Ledger will turn on and prompt you to begin the setup. You will be guided through several steps:

Create a New Wallet

Choose the option to “Set up as new device.” This generates your private keys internally on the Secure Element chip—keys that never leave the device or touch the internet.

Create a PIN Code

Your PIN is the first line of defense if someone physically attempts to access your device. Choose a strong, unique PIN and never share it with anyone. Ledger devices automatically wipe themselves after several incorrect attempts, further protecting your assets.

Step 5: Your 24-Word Recovery Phrase – The Heart of Your Security

Ledger will now generate your 24-word recovery phrase, also known as your seed phrase. This set of words is the master key to your entire crypto portfolio. Anyone who has this phrase can access your wallet—even without your Ledger device. That’s why Ledger emphasizes that this phrase should never be photographed, uploaded, typed into online forms, or stored in cloud drives.

Write the 24 words clearly on the recovery sheet provided in the box. Double-check each word and keep the sheet in a safe, private location. Many users choose to store their phrase in a secure safe, lockbox, or fireproof container. Some even use metal backup plates to protect the words from water or fire damage.

Ledger Live will ask you to confirm random words from the list to verify accuracy. This step prevents mistakes that could lock you out of your own wallet in the future.

Step 6: Install Crypto Apps Through Ledger Live

Ledger devices support dozens of cryptocurrencies through dedicated apps. For example:

Bitcoin

Ethereum

Solana

XRP

Polkadot

Litecoin

Cardano

BNB

Many ERC-20 and EVM-compatible tokens

To install apps:

Open Ledger Live

Confirm the connection on your device

Browse available crypto apps and install the ones you need

Apps help organize asset-specific functions on your device while maintaining advanced security boundaries between them.

Step 7: Add Accounts and Receive Your First Crypto

After installing the necessary apps, return to Ledger Live and click “Add Account.” This step adds a blockchain address associated with your Ledger.

Once your account is added, you can click “Receive.” Ledger Live will display a receiving address, and your hardware device will prompt you to verify it. Always confirm that the address shown on the device matches the one on your screen—this prevents malware from substituting a scam address.

Now you can transfer crypto from exchanges, wallets, or other sources safely into your Ledger-secured account.

Step 8: Sending Crypto Securely

When sending crypto:

Open Ledger Live and click “Send.”

Enter the receiving address and amount.

Confirm the details on your Ledger device.

Physically approve the transaction.

Because the approval occurs on the hardware wallet itself, malware on your computer cannot alter or hijack the transaction. This is one of the most powerful advantages of using Ledger.

Step 9: Keeping Firmware and Ledger Live Updated

Ledger regularly releases firmware upgrades to strengthen security and improve features. Updates must be done carefully:

Only update through Ledger Live

Ensure your recovery phrase is stored safely beforehand

Do not disconnect the device during the update

Firmware updates do not affect your crypto holdings because your keys remain secured by the recovery phrase.

Step 10: Advanced Features – Staking, Buying, Swapping, and NFTs

Ledger is more than a storage solution—it is a complete crypto management ecosystem. With Ledger Live, users can:

Stake Assets

Earn passive rewards by staking coins like Ethereum, Polkadot, Tezos, Solana, and others while keeping private keys offline.

Buy Crypto

Purchase assets through integrated partners directly inside Ledger Live.

Swap Tokens

Exchange cryptocurrencies securely without withdrawing them from Ledger.

Manage NFTs

View and manage your NFT collections using Ledger’s secure architecture, especially on Ethereum and Polygon networks.

These features allow Ledger users to participate fully in the crypto economy without compromising security.

Step 11: Best Practices for Long-Term Ledger Security

Owning a hardware wallet is only the first step. To ensure complete safety:

Never share your 24-word recovery phrase

Never enter your recovery phrase online

Beware of fake customer support claiming to “verify” your phrase

Always double-check URLs before visiting them

Keep your PIN private

Store your backup phrase in multiple secure locations

Only use official firmware and apps

Ledger’s security is robust, but your habits complete the protection.

Final Thoughts: Your Crypto, Your Control

Setting up your Ledger device using Ledger.com/Start® puts you firmly in control of your digital wealth. In a landscape filled with cybersecurity threats—from phishing scams to exchange hacks—hardware wallets offer unmatched protection. This setup process gives you peace of mind knowing that your assets are safe, your keys are offline, and your crypto future is in your hands.