Ready to secure your crypto the right way? The official onboarding flow at ledger.com/start walks you through everything you need to set up a Ledger hardware wallet and manage assets safely with Ledger Live. This guide distills that process into clear steps, practical security tips, and answers to common questions so you can begin with confidence. Whether you’re safeguarding long-term holdings or transacting daily, starting at ledger.com/start ensures you’re using authentic software and recommended settings.
Unbox your Ledger device (Nano X or Nano S Plus), a USB cable, and the recovery sheets. Set aside 15–20 minutes in a calm environment with a computer or phone that you trust. Close unnecessary apps and confirm your operating system is up to date. Most importantly, plan where you will store your recovery phrase—offline, out of sight, and away from moisture or fire risks.
Open your browser and type ledger.com/start directly into the address bar. Avoid search-engine ads or shortened links. The page will route you to the official instructions for your specific device model and offer the latest Ledger Live download for desktop or mobile.
From ledger.com/start, choose your operating system (Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, or Android) and install Ledger Live. On first launch, you’ll be guided through analytics consent, password protection for the app, and optional privacy settings. Enable an app password to prevent unauthorized access on your computer or phone.
Connect the Ledger via USB (or Bluetooth with Nano X on mobile) and select “Set up as new device.” Create a strong PIN on the device itself. Next, carefully write down the 24-word recovery phrase shown on the device screen—never on your computer or phone. This phrase is the only backup to restore your wallet if the device is lost or damaged. No one from Ledger or any support team will ever ask for it.
With the device initialized, Ledger Live will verify the device integrity and prompt you to add crypto accounts (e.g., Bitcoin, Ethereum). Accounts in Ledger Live are viewing and management interfaces; your private keys remain inside the hardware wallet. When sending funds, always verify the address and amount on the device screen before approving.
If Ledger Live doesn’t recognize your device, try a different USB cable/port, restart your computer, and ensure background sync tools aren’t blocking connections. For app crashes, update to the latest version from ledger.com/start and clear the app cache. If an account shows an outdated balance, refresh the account or re-sync the blockchain indexer within Ledger Live. When in doubt, reinstall Ledger Live from the official site—your assets remain safe because keys never leave the hardware wallet.
Before receiving funds, generate a fresh address in Ledger Live and confirm it on the device screen. When sending, double-check the destination and network fees on the device. For portfolio management, use the overview tab to monitor performance and enable notifications for critical updates. If you stake assets through integrated partners, review the lock-up period and risks before committing.
Starting at ledger.com/start is the safest way to set up your Ledger and establish long-term security habits from day one. By pairing a hardware wallet with the intuitive Ledger Live app—and by protecting your recovery phrase—you gain robust, self-custodied control over your digital assets. Stay updated, verify on-device, and keep backups safe: these simple principles will carry you far in crypto security.