Official Site® | Ledger.com/Start®

Welcome to Ledger.com/Start® — Start with confidence

Congratulations on taking the step to secure your digital assets. Ledger.com/Start® is the official starting path designed to guide you through every stage of getting your Ledger hardware wallet up and running. Whether this is your first hardware wallet or you are returning for an upgrade, this guide covers unboxing, initialization, Ledger Live installation, recovery and backup best practices, sending and receiving assets, routine maintenance, and practical troubleshooting. The goal is simple: help you achieve a secure setup quickly and understand the habits that keep your keys safe for years.

What is Ledger.com/Start® and why use the official flow?

Ledger.com/Start® provides verified software, firmware, and step-by-step instructions directly from Ledger. Using the official flow reduces exposure to phishing, counterfeit software, and tampered firmware. The official guidance ensures you install authentic Ledger Live software, verify device firmware signatures, and follow hardware-backed procedures that keep private keys isolated on your Ledger device at all times. The recommended steps have been designed around the principle of “never expose the seed” and “always verify on-device.”

Before you begin — what you’ll need

Your Ledger hardware wallet (Nano S, Nano S Plus, Nano X, or other supported model).
A computer or mobile device capable of running the official Ledger Live application.
The supplied USB cable or a compatible cable for your device model.
Pen and the physical backup card (or a metal backup if you have one) for your recovery phrase — do not use digital notes.
A quiet, private location where you can write down your recovery phrase without being observed.

Important: never share your 24-word recovery phrase with anyone. Ledger support will never ask for your recovery phrase. If anyone asks for it, it is a scam.

Unboxing & initial inspection

Inspect the package for tamper evidence. Genuine Ledger devices are shipped with tamper-evident packaging and documentation. Verify that seals are intact and that the device looks physically undamaged. Keep the box in case you need to return or verify the contents later.

Open the package and remove the device, cable, and documentation.
Confirm the model number and serial printed on the device match the included documentation.
Retain the packaging until the device is set up and verified.

Installing Ledger Live — step-by-step

Ledger Live is the official companion app for desktop and mobile that helps you manage accounts, install apps on your Ledger device, update firmware, and send and receive cryptocurrencies. Always download Ledger Live from the official source in the official flow to avoid phishing.

Download: Visit the official start flow to download Ledger Live for your operating system (Windows, macOS, Linux) or download the mobile app from your device’s official store.
Install: Run the installer and follow on-screen prompts. For mobile, install from the App Store or Google Play.
Launch Ledger Live: Open the app and follow the onboarding prompts. You will be asked whether you are setting up a new device or restoring one.

Tip: On desktop, verify installer checksums or signatures when offered. Use only official downloads and avoid third-party mirrors.

Initializing your Ledger device (new device)

During initialization you will set a PIN and generate a recovery phrase (seed). The device generates this seed internally — it never leaves the device. Write the words down in the exact order on the provided backup card. Confirm the words when the device requests to verify you recorded them correctly.

Connect the Ledger device to the computer and choose "Set up as new device".
Choose a secure PIN that you can remember; avoid obvious sequences.
Write down the 24-word recovery phrase exactly and in order on the physical backup card.
Confirm two or three random words when prompted to ensure the documentation is correct.

Never enter your seed into a phone, computer, or any online form. The only time the seed is ever typed is when recovering onto a new hardware device — and even then, use the hardware buttons, not a connected computer.

Restoring a device from an existing recovery phrase

If you are restoring an existing wallet, select the recovery option. Carefully input each seed word using the device interface. After restoring, Ledger Live will rescan the chain and display your accounts and balances. Confirm addresses on-device when receiving funds.

Select "Restore device" in the onboarding flow.
Enter the seed words in the correct order using the device controls.
Once restored, add accounts in Ledger Live for the coins you use.

Adding accounts in Ledger Live

Ledger Live lets you add accounts for Bitcoin, Ethereum, and many other supported coins and tokens. Adding an account does not expose your private keys — it only derives public addresses to watch balances and prepare transactions. Use the "Add account" function and follow prompts.

Open Ledger Live and go to Accounts > Add account.
Select the cryptocurrency, then connect and unlock your Ledger device when prompted.
Ledger Live will synchronize and show your balances and transaction history for the selected account.

Sending and receiving — the trusted workflow

Always verify destination addresses and amounts on the device screen before confirming. Malware or browser extensions on your computer can attempt to alter addresses shown in Ledger Live — the device screen is the final authority.

To receive: select Receive in Ledger Live, pick the account, and verify the receiving address on the device’s screen before sharing it with the sender.
To send: enter the recipient address and amount in Ledger Live, then confirm the transaction details displayed on the hardware device before approving the signature.

Confirm the full address on the device, not just a portion. Some interfaces display shortened addresses; always check the device itself.

Firmware updates — apply with care

Firmware updates provide security improvements and features. Update using Ledger Live when prompted; the device will display clear instructions. Do not interrupt the update. If a firmware installation fails, follow the official recovery instructions — do not attempt unofficial fixes that require revealing your seed.

When Ledger Live prompts an update, read the release notes and confirm authenticity.
Start the firmware update process and keep the device connected until it completes.
After the update, you may need to re-enter your PIN and re-open accounts inside Ledger Live.

Security best practices — ongoing

Store your recovery phrase offline in at least one secure, fire-resistant location; consider a metal backup for durability.
Use a unique PIN and never store it with the seed.
Beware of phishing: type the official Ledger start address manually or use a saved bookmark. Do not follow links from unsolicited emails.
Limit the time your device is connected and unlocked on internet-exposed machines.
Regularly update Ledger Live and firmware promptly via the official flow.

Troubleshooting — common issues and quick fixes

Issues like device not detected, connection timeouts, or update errors are often resolvable with a few checks.

If a device is not recognized: try a different USB cable or port, use a direct port (avoid hubs), and restart Ledger Live.
If update fails: ensure the device remains connected and unlocked; try again and follow official recovery steps if necessary.
If account balances do not show: let Ledger Live resynchronize; if still missing, check network status for the relevant blockchain.

For persistent problems, gather non-sensitive logs and reach out to official support. Do not share your recovery phrase or private keys with anyone, even support staff.

Advanced topics — passphrases, coin control, and integrations

Advanced users can enable optional passphrase protection (an extra secret appended to your seed), use coin control tools for UTXO management, and connect to supported dApps or third-party wallets. Each advanced feature increases flexibility but also risk — fully understand the implications and record any extra secrets safely.

Passphrase (optional): Acts as a hidden 25th word — powerful but dangerous if lost.
Coin control: Useful for privacy and fee optimization on Bitcoin-like chains.
dApp integrations: Use only trusted dApps and confirm every contract interaction on-device.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Q: Can Ledger support all tokens I own?

A: Ledger supports thousands of coins and tokens through Ledger Live and integrations. If a token is not natively supported, third-party wallets compatible with Ledger can be used to manage it while keeping your keys on-device.

Q: What if I lose my device?

A: If you have your recovery phrase, you can restore your accounts on a new Ledger device or on a compatible hardware wallet. If you do not have your seed, funds cannot be recovered.

Q: Is Ledger Live necessary?

A: Ledger Live provides a user-friendly, secure interface and is recommended for most users. Advanced users may opt for third-party wallets for certain features, but Ledger Live remains the official companion for firmware updates and many core functions.

Final recommendations — take your time, stay safe

The most secure setups are deliberate setups. Allocate time to carefully record and verify your recovery phrase, choose a strong PIN, and confirm addresses on-device. Use Ledger.com/Start® and Ledger Live for verified downloads and follow official guidance for firmware updates and troubleshooting. With the right habits, a Ledger hardware wallet provides a robust and enduring foundation for secure crypto custody.