Ledger.com/Start® — Starting Up Your Device

Fast, secure, and clear setup instructions for your Ledger® hardware wallet and Ledger Live — start at Ledger.com/start.

Welcome — why Ledger matters

Ledger provides industry-leading hardware wallet protection for private keys. Starting at Ledger.com/start, this friendly guide walks you through a practical setup: genuine device checks, PIN selection, recovery phrase handling, firmware updates, and a first test transaction. Use this page as your official quickstart while keeping safety front and center.

Quick overview

Setting up a Ledger device is straightforward when you follow secure steps. In short: verify your package, download Ledger Live from the official site, initialize your device, write down your recovery phrase offline, install legitimate firmware, and test with a small transaction. Repeatable, auditable, and designed to keep your keys offline.

Step 1 — Verify package

Check tamper-evident seals and buy only from verified sellers or directly from Ledger to ensure hardware integrity.

Step 2 — Download Ledger Live

Visit Ledger.com/start and download Ledger Live. Always type the URL or use official links; avoid search results that may be spoofed.

Step 3 — Initialize device

Connect the device, choose "Initialize as new device", and set a strong PIN. The device randomizes digits to prevent shoulder-surfing.

Step 4 — Recovery phrase

Write the recovery phrase on the supplied card. Keep multiple offline copies in separate secure locations — do not photograph or store digitally.

Security checklist

  • Download Ledger Live only from Ledger.com/start.
  • Confirm device genuine check in Ledger Live and on your device screen.
  • Never enter recovery phrase into a computer or website.
  • Use a passphrase for additional account separation if you understand the risks.

First transaction — best practice

Before moving large sums, send a small test transaction. Verify the receiving address on the Ledger device screen and confirm the amount. This avoids host-based address substitution attacks and ensures an end-to-end verified flow.

FAQ — quick answers

Where to download?

Use Ledger.com/start — the official download source for Ledger Live and device instructions.

What if I lose my recovery phrase?

If the recovery phrase is lost and the device becomes inaccessible, funds can be irretrievable. Store seeds offline in multiple secure locations.

Can Ledger Live be used on mobile?

Yes — Ledger Live has desktop and mobile versions. For initial setup, desktop is recommended for clarity and firmware handling.