This page is a clear, practical setup and security guide for Ledger hardware wallets. It walks you through unboxing, initializing your device, recording your recovery phrase, and maintaining long-term safety. Follow these steps exactly to ensure your crypto holdings remain under your sole control.
The Ledger.com/start flow is the official, manufacturer-specified way to initialize any Ledger hardware wallet. It ensures you download authentic companion software, verify firmware integrity, and follow device-level prompts that cannot be spoofed by malicious websites. Using the official path reduces the risk of encountering counterfeit apps or phishing scams that try to harvest your recovery phrase or trick you into installing tampered firmware.
Begin the setup on a trusted personal computer — not on a public kiosk, borrowed laptop, or unknown network. The fewer unknown variables during setup, the lower the chance of mistakes or compromise.
When you receive a Ledger device, examine the packaging for tamper evidence. Genuine devices arrive factory sealed and include a quick start guide, a USB cable, and recovery sheets. If anything looks altered, contact support for guidance rather than proceeding with setup.
Only connect the device once you are ready to follow the full setup procedure. Physical control of the device is the first step to secure custody — do not hand it to strangers or install software from untrusted sources.
Ledger provides Ledger Live as the official desktop and mobile companion application. Ledger Live handles device setup, firmware updates, account creation, and transaction management. Always download Ledger Live directly from official resources published by the manufacturer. Avoid third-party mirrors or links found in emails or social media posts.
The installation is straightforward: run the installer, follow on-screen prompts, and open the app. Ledger Live will prompt you to connect your device to begin initialization.
When you connect the Ledger for the first time, the device will offer to set a PIN and to create a new wallet or restore an existing one. Choose to create a new wallet if this is your first device. The PIN is the first line of defense if someone gains temporary physical access to the unit — choose a PIN you can remember but that is not trivially guessable.
Never store your PIN digitally in plaintext. If you forget the PIN, the recovery seed is required to restore access — the PIN itself cannot be recovered.
During setup the device will generate a recovery phrase (typically 24 words). This is the single most important piece of information for your wallet. The recovery phrase is the master backup: if the device is lost, stolen, or destroyed, the phrase can be used to restore funds on a new device. Conversely, anyone with the phrase can immediately take control of your assets.
Record the words exactly as presented and in the same order. Use the supplied recovery card or a durable medium. Do not photograph, screenshot, email, or store the seed on any online service. Consider using a fireproof and waterproof metal backup option for long-term durability.
Ledger devices rely on signed firmware to ensure the code running on the device is genuine. During setup, if a firmware update is required, it will be delivered and verified through Ledger Live. Approve updates only when both the app and the device display matching prompts. Reject or pause if anything seems unexpected.
Keeping firmware current is important: updates fix security vulnerabilities and add compatibility for new cryptocurrencies. That said, only perform updates from official software and never accept firmware delivered through random emails or web links.
All transaction approvals must be verified directly on the device screen. When sending funds, compare the address and amount shown on the computer with what appears on the Ledger display — approve only when they match. This protects you from malware that may attempt to replace addresses in transit.
Receive addresses should also be checked on-device before sharing them with a sender. A visible device confirmation is the last line of defense against host-based tampering.
For sizeable holdings, use multiple backups stored in separate secure locations. Consider a home safe, a bank safety deposit box, or a trusted custodian that cannot access the physical copy. The objective is to mitigate risks such as theft, fire, or natural disaster while ensuring the backups remain secret.
A recommended approach is one primary backup and one geographically separated secondary backup. Both must be protected physically and only accessible to trusted parties if that aligns with your estate planning and threat model.
Even with a hardware wallet, sound operational security remains essential. Keep your computer and smartphone patched and free of known malware. Avoid clicking unsolicited links or installing unknown browser extensions. Use strong, unique passwords for any services you employ, and prefer hardware-backed or app-based two-factor authentication for critical accounts.
Minimize public disclosure of your holdings. Broadcasting large balances on public social profiles increases your risk profile and can attract targeted attacks or coercion attempts.
If your device behaves unexpectedly, disconnect it and restart both the device and the companion application. For persistent issues, consult official support channels and follow their verified instructions. If your device is irreparably damaged but you have your recovery phrase, restore on a new, verified device immediately.
If your recovery phrase is lost and the device is inaccessible, recovery is not possible. This reality emphasizes the need for secure, redundant offline backups.
Ledger.com/start is designed to give you a secure, guided experience when bringing a hardware wallet into service. The combination of on-device confirmations, a professionally maintained companion app, cryptographically signed firmware, and a properly managed recovery seed forms a robust defense against common threats in the crypto space. By following the steps above, maintaining healthy security habits, and treating your recovery materials as highly sensitive, you place your digital assets in the safest possible posture.