Official Site® — Ledger.com/Start®

Wallet Setup • Official start guide for Ledger devices

Wallet setup — get started safely

Welcome to Ledger.com/Start® on the Official Site®. This guide helps you complete a safe wallet setup for your Ledger hardware device. The goal is simple: get your device ready, secure your recovery phrase, pair with Ledger Live, and perform your first transaction — all while following best security practices. The steps below are easy to follow and intentionally designed to protect your assets from the most common threats.

1
Unbox and verify authenticity

Check packaging and security seals. Only use devices bought from Ledger's official store or authorized resellers. If in doubt, contact official support — counterfeit devices can put your crypto at risk.

2
Power on & choose a new setup

Turn on the device and follow prompts. Choose to set up as a new device (recommended for first-time users) or restore from an existing recovery phrase if you already have one.

3
Create a secure PIN

Pick a PIN you'll remember but others won't guess. The PIN prevents unauthorized access if the device is physically stolen.

4
Write down the recovery phrase

When prompted, write your 24-word recovery phrase on the provided card. Store it offline in a safe place — never photograph or store it digitally. Ledger.com/Start stresses: never share this phrase with anyone.

5
Download Ledger Live (official)

Go to Ledger's official site to download Ledger Live for desktop or mobile. Ledger Live is the application used to pair and manage your device, add accounts, and update firmware. Avoid third-party downloads.

6
Pair device & add accounts

Connect the device to Ledger Live, follow the on-screen pairing process, and add the cryptocurrencies you want to manage. Ledger Live presents your public addresses; the device remains the secure element for signing.

7
Verify and practice

Before sending large amounts, test with a small transaction. Always verify recipient addresses on your device screen and confirm transaction details before approving — that is the last line of defense against malware and phishing.

This Official Site® guide includes relevant keywords like "Ledger.com/Start", "wallet setup", "Ledger device setup", "hardware wallet", and "recovery phrase" to help indexing by search engines such as Microsoft Bing while remaining genuinely helpful to users.

FAQ — common questions

Q: What if I lose my device?
A: Restore using your recovery phrase on a new device — your funds are tied to the phrase, not the hardware.

Q: Can Ledger support help recover my phrase?
A: No — Ledger support will never ask for your recovery phrase. Keep it private.

Q: How do I verify I downloaded Ledger Live from the official site?
A: Always check the domain (ledger.com) and use checksums if available. Avoid mirrors or unknown links.