Welcome to Ledger Start
Ledger.com/start is your official gateway to setting up and securing your Ledger hardware wallet. This guide walks you through every step you need to begin your crypto journey with confidence. A Ledger hardware wallet gives you control over your private keys, and therefore true ownership of your digital assets. By keeping your keys offline inside a secure device, Ledger ensures that your crypto remains protected from online threats, malicious actors, malware, and phishing scams. This resource provides a complete overview of setup, safety, usage, and long-term maintenance so you can start using Ledger without confusion or risk.
Whether you are new to crypto or simply ready to take control of your digital wealth, this guide is designed to help you understand and follow each step safely. You will learn how to unbox your device, set your PIN, write down your recovery phrase, install Ledger Live, manage accounts, send and receive crypto, interact with different blockchains, and maintain the security of your assets for the long term.
Why Choose a Ledger Hardware Wallet?
A Ledger hardware wallet provides offline protection, also known as cold storage. Unlike software wallets that store private keys on your phone or computer, Ledger isolates these sensitive keys in a secure element chip. This keeps your crypto safe even if your computer is hacked or infected. Ledger requires physical confirmation of every action, meaning no transaction can be completed without you pressing the buttons on your device.
Ledger devices support thousands of cryptocurrencies across multiple blockchains. They integrate with Ledger Live, making it easy to buy, sell, swap, send, receive, and manage coins, tokens, and NFTs. With your crypto stored in a hardware wallet, you maintain full control without relying on exchanges or custodial services.
What You Need Before Starting
Before beginning setup, make sure you have:
Your Ledger hardware wallet
A computer or smartphone
A secure internet connection
A quiet place to write down your 24-word recovery phrase
A safe location to store your recovery phrase card
Your recovery phrase is the most critical element of your wallet because it acts as the master key. With this phrase, you can restore your wallet on any Ledger device. If anyone gets your recovery phrase, they own your crypto. If you lose it, no one—not Ledger, not support services, not exchanges—can help you recover your assets. Treat it with the highest level of security.
Step 1: Unbox Your Ledger Device
When unboxing your Ledger device, you should find:
The Ledger hardware wallet
A USB cable (for applicable models)
Recovery phrase cards
Quick start instructions
Ledger devices never come pre-initialized and never include a prewritten recovery phrase. You must generate your own 24 words during the setup process. If your device arrives with a recovery sheet already filled out, it is unsafe—do not use it. Only trust the recovery phrase generated by your hardware wallet itself.
Step 2: Power On and Set Your PIN
Turn on your Ledger device by pressing the appropriate buttons. The device will ask you to create a PIN code, which you will enter each time you unlock your wallet. Choose a PIN that is long enough, difficult to guess, and private.
Your PIN provides the first layer of physical security. If someone steals your device but does not know your PIN, the wallet remains locked. Avoid writing your PIN where others may find it, and never share it with anyone.
Step 3: Write Down Your 24-Word Recovery Phrase
After setting your PIN, your Ledger device will display a unique 24-word recovery phrase. Write down each word in the exact order shown. These 24 words are the only way to restore your crypto wallet if your device is lost or damaged.
Your recovery phrase must always be:
Written down by hand
Stored offline
Kept private and hidden
Protected from loss, theft, damage, or digital exposure
Never store your recovery phrase on your phone, computer, screenshot, email, or cloud.
Never give your recovery phrase to anyone.
Never enter your recovery phrase into websites or apps.
Anyone who asks for your 24 words is attempting fraud.
Step 4: Download the Ledger Live App
Ledger Live is the official software used to manage your Ledger device, install cryptocurrency apps, view balances, create accounts, send and receive assets, update firmware, and more. Download Ledger Live from official Ledger sources only.
After installation, open Ledger Live, choose “Get Started,” and follow the setup flow. The app will walk you through verifying your device, confirming your recovery phrase, and connecting securely.
Step 5: Verify and Configure Your Device in Ledger Live
Once your Ledger device is connected, Ledger Live will perform a genuine check to ensure your device is authentic and properly initialized. This step is crucial for confirming that your setup environment is safe and that no one tampered with the hardware.
Follow the instructions carefully. The process may involve confirming actions on your Ledger device. Verification ensures that only you control your private keys.
Step 6: Install Crypto Apps on Your Device
Ledger devices use individual apps to communicate with each blockchain. For example:
Bitcoin app
Ethereum app
Solana app
Binance Smart Chain app
Polygon app
Dozens of others
Installing or uninstalling apps does not affect your funds. Your crypto remains tied to your recovery phrase. You can manage storage space by installing and removing apps as needed.
Step 7: Add Accounts in Ledger Live
Once apps are installed, you can create accounts for each cryptocurrency. These accounts allow Ledger Live to display balances, transactions, and addresses associated with your wallet.
To add an account:
Open Ledger Live
Go to the Accounts section
Select “Add Account”
Choose the crypto asset
Confirm the process on your Ledger device
You can add multiple accounts per asset and organize them however you prefer.
Step 8: Receiving Crypto Safely
To receive crypto:
Open Ledger Live and select the account
Click “Receive”
Copy the address shown
Confirm the receiving address on your Ledger device screen
This confirmation step is essential. Even if malware tries to modify the address on your computer, it cannot change the address displayed on your Ledger device. Always trust the address shown on the device itself.
Step 9: Sending Crypto Securely
Sending crypto also requires approval from both Ledger Live and your hardware wallet:
Enter the destination address and amount in Ledger Live
Review details
Confirm the transaction on your Ledger device
This double-confirmation protects you from unauthorized transfers. Even if your computer is compromised, hackers cannot send funds without physical access to your device and your PIN.
Advanced Features: Swapping, Buying, Staking, and NFTs
Ledger Live provides access to advanced features through verified partners. You can:
Buy crypto and deposit it directly to your Ledger
Swap tokens across supported chains
Stake assets such as Ethereum, Polkadot, or Solana
Manage NFTs securely
Connect to Web3 apps through WalletConnect or integrated services
Despite using external services, your private keys always remain on your Ledger hardware wallet.
Security Best Practices for Ledger Users
To protect your assets long-term:
Keep your 24-word recovery phrase private and offline
Never enter your recovery phrase into websites
Avoid social media “support agents”
Bookmark official Ledger pages
Update firmware and Ledger Live regularly
Use strong passwords for your devices and accounts
Store your Ledger device in a safe, private location
If someone contacts you claiming to be Ledger support and asks for your recovery phrase, it is a scam.
Restoring Your Wallet on a New Device
If your Ledger is lost or damaged, you can restore your wallet on any new Ledger device. Choose “Restore from Recovery Phrase” and enter the 24 words exactly. Once restored, all your accounts and balances will reappear in Ledger Live after syncing.
This process must always be done in private. Anyone watching your recovery phrase could steal your funds.
You Are Ready to Start With Ledger
By completing these steps, you have established a strong foundation for managing your crypto securely. With your Ledger hardware wallet, your recovery phrase stored safely, and Ledger Live configured, you can confidently interact with cryptocurrencies, NFTs, DeFi platforms, and Web3 applications while maintaining complete control over your assets.
Your journey toward secure digital ownership begins now. Connect your Ledger, open Ledger Live, and take full control of your crypto with long-term protection.