Official Site® | Ledger.com/Start® | Getting Started — Complete 1200-Word Guide
Getting started with a Ledger® hardware wallet is the first and most important step in securing your digital assets. Ledger devices—whether Nano S Plus, Nano X, or the latest models—combine offline private-key protection with an intuitive software experience through Ledger Live®. The official onboarding process at Ledger.com/Start® walks you through unboxing, device initialization, security verification, and connection to the Ledger Live app. This guide provides a detailed, 1200-word breakdown of everything you need to know when setting up your Ledger wallet safely and correctly.
1. Begin at the Official Ledger.com/Start® Portal
The only authentic starting point for setting up your Ledger device is the official website: Ledger.com/Start®. This page ensures you’re using secure software, verified downloads, and genuine installation steps. Because hardware wallets store your private keys offline, the accuracy and legitimacy of your initial setup are crucial. Starting anywhere other than the official site can expose you to malicious apps or phishing attempts.
When you visit Ledger.com/Start®, the site automatically recognizes your device model and directs you toward the correct installation instructions. This guarantees that firmware, app installations, and onboarding steps match your specific Ledger product.
2. Unboxing and Checking Your Ledger Device
Every Ledger wallet arrives with the device, a USB-C cable (or Bluetooth support for Nano X), recovery sheets, and documentation. Before connecting anything:
Inspect the packaging.
Ensure there is no sign of tampering.
Confirm that your device does not come with a prewritten Recovery Seed—Ledger never provides one.
Once everything looks authentic, you can proceed with confidence.
3. Install the Ledger Live® App
The next step is installing the Ledger Live® application, the official interface for managing cryptocurrencies on your Ledger device. Ledger Live is available for:
Windows
macOS
Linux
iOS / Android (companion functions, depending on device model)
Download Ledger Live only from Ledger.com/Start® to avoid counterfeit apps.
Ledger Live Features:
Secure crypto storage and management
Account creation for multiple blockchains
Portfolio tracking and analytics
Real-time balance and price updates
Secure transaction signing through your hardware device
App catalog for installing blockchain applications
Staking, buying, swapping, and lending integrations
Passphrase security options
Clear-signing transaction protections
Once installed, open Ledger Live and allow it to detect your connected Ledger wallet.
4. Initialize Your Ledger Device
When you power on your Ledger wallet for the first time, the device screen will guide you step-by-step. Initialization includes creating your Recovery Phrase and device PIN.
Create a New Wallet
Choose Set up as new device unless you are recovering an existing wallet. The device will generate a 12, 18, or 24-word Recovery Phrase. These words are your master key.
VERY IMPORTANT:
Your Recovery Phrase ONLY appears on the device screen
Ledger will never ask you to type it online
Never take pictures or store it digitally
Write the words by hand on the recovery sheet
This phrase allows you to restore your wallet on any Ledger device if yours is lost or damaged.
5. Confirming the Recovery Phrase
After writing down the words in the correct order, your device will ask you to confirm them. This ensures you captured the seed accurately before the wallet is activated.
Security Best Practices:
Create multiple offline copies of your recovery sheet
Keep backups in separate secure locations
Never share or reveal the phrase to anyone
Avoid entering the phrase into any device other than your Ledger
Your Recovery Phrase is the single most important element of your crypto security.
6. Create Your Device PIN
Your PIN protects physical access to your Ledger device. Choose a PIN between 4–8 digits.
If anyone attempts to unlock your device incorrectly multiple times, the Ledger automatically wipes itself—protecting your assets even if the device is stolen.
7. Connect Ledger Live and Install Apps
Once setup is complete, Ledger Live will walk you through connecting your device. You’ll then install blockchain-specific applications onto the device. For example:
The Bitcoin app is needed for BTC accounts
The Ethereum app is needed for ETH or ERC-20 tokens
The Solana app is needed for SOL accounts
These apps run inside the secure element of the Ledger device and enable safe signing of transactions.
8. Add Your Crypto Accounts
After installing the necessary apps, Ledger Live allows you to create blockchain accounts. For each network, you will choose:
Account type (Bitcoin, Ethereum, Polygon, etc.)
Account name
Synchronization with your device
Ledger Live never stores your private keys—those always remain inside the hardware device. The app simply reads public data and displays balances securely.
9. Receive Crypto Securely
To receive funds, Ledger Live provides a deposit address. Before sharing the address:
Confirm the address on the device screen
Ensure the address matches what Ledger Live displays
Only trust the address verified physically on the device
This protects you from clipboard malware or phishing.
10. Sending Crypto Safely
When sending crypto:
Enter the recipient address in Ledger Live
Review details in the app
Ledger will ask you to physically confirm the transaction on the device
This hardware-level authorization is what makes Ledger secure. Even if your computer were compromised, no transaction could be signed without your device and PIN.
11. Exploring Advanced Security Features
Ledger devices offer additional security layers:
Passphrase Wallets
Create a hidden wallet accessible only with a secret passphrase.
Clear-Signing
Ledger Live and on-device screens show transaction details clearly to prevent blind signing.
Secure Element Chip
A tamper-resistant security chip protects private keys from physical attacks.
12. Ledger Live Services and Extras
Ledger Live now integrates multiple crypto services, including:
Buying crypto
Swapping assets
Staking and yield earning
Portfolio analytics
NFT viewing (Ethereum and Polygon)
Hardware wallet management
You maintain complete control over your assets while enjoying convenient financial tools integrated into a secure environment.