Official Guide • Onboarding
Ledger.com/Start — A Practical, Secure Walkthrough to Setup Your Ledger Wallet
A friendly, stepwise guide to initializing Ledger devices, protecting your seed phrase, and using Ledger Live — written for beginners and careful enough for experienced users.
Intro: Why Ledger.com/Start matters (short answer)
Think of Ledger.com/start as the official front door to your hardware wallet. It’s where you download the authentic Ledger Live app, verify your device, and follow a set of steps that prevent the most common attacks — phishing, counterfeit devices, and accidental loss of the recovery seed. If owning crypto is like owning a house, Ledger is the vault in your basement, and Ledger.com/start hands you the blueprint and the combination lock.
A short story — Sara’s wake-up call
Sara had crypto on an exchange and thought it was safe — until one morning she couldn't log in. The exchange had a temporary freeze and she learned the hard way: custody equals responsibility. After that, she bought a Ledger, went to Ledger.com/start, and completed the setup. Years later, that single offline seed phrase kept her funds safe through outages and phishing attempts. This guide gives you the same step-by-step certainty she wished she had earlier.
Quick security checklist
Before you begin
• Type Ledger.com/start directly (avoid links).
• Use a clean computer and avoid public Wi-Fi.
• Keep pen & metal backup ready to record seed words.
• Only download Ledger Live from the official page.
• Use a clean computer and avoid public Wi-Fi.
• Keep pen & metal backup ready to record seed words.
• Only download Ledger Live from the official page.
Step-by-step: Using Ledger.com/Start (concise, actionable)
Step 1 — Visit the official page
Manually type Ledger.com/start into your browser. Confirm the padlock icon and exact domain. From there, choose your device model (Nano S Plus or Nano X) and click the link to download Ledger Live.
Step 2 — Install Ledger Live
Install Ledger Live on your desktop or mobile. Launch the app and follow the “Get started” flow — it will guide you to initialize a new device or restore an existing wallet.
Step 3 — Connect and verify
Connect your Ledger device using the supplied cable (or Bluetooth for Nano X). Ledger Live will check device authenticity — allow it to verify firmware to ensure the unit is genuine.
Step 4 — Create and protect your seed
The device will generate a 24-word recovery phrase (seed). Write it on the provided card and, if available, engrave on a metal backup. Never store the seed digitally or share it.
Step 5 — Set PIN & passphrase
Choose a PIN to protect local access and optionally enable a passphrase (an extra word or phrase that creates a hidden wallet). A passphrase is powerful but means you alone must remember it.
Step 6 — Add accounts & manage
Use Ledger Live to add Bitcoin, Ethereum, or other crypto accounts. Install app-specific managers on the device when prompted. All transaction approvals happen on the hardware device.
Quick comparison — Nano S Plus vs Nano X
Key terms you’ll see
• Private key — a secret number that proves ownership of coins. Never expose it. • Seed phrase (recovery phrase) — the human-readable form of your private keys. • Cold storage — keeping keys offline (what Ledger provides). • Ledger Live — the desktop/mobile app for account management. • Hardware wallet — a physical device that signs transactions offline.
FAQ — Common questions answered
Q: Is Ledger.com/start safe to use?
A: Yes — when you type the URL directly. Ledger.com/start is the official onboarding portal for Ledger Live and firmware verification. Always check the HTTPS padlock and avoid ads or emailed links that mimic Ledger.
Q: Can I restore a lost device?
A: Yes. Use the 24-word seed phrase on any compatible hardware wallet or a trusted software wallet to restore access. That’s why storing the seed securely is non-negotiable.
Q: Should I ever enter my seed into a computer?
A: No. Never type your recovery phrase into a computer, phone, or website. The only time your device shows the seed is physically — write it down offline and store it in a secure, preferably fireproof place.
Pro perspective
“Your recovery seed is like the combination to a safe — treat it like the most sensitive item you own. Using Ledger.com/start ensures you initialize and verify your hardware with the manufacturer’s guidance, removing the most common attack surfaces.” — Blockchain security consultant
Practical checklist — before you finish
Backups
Store seed in two separate physical locations, consider a metal backup, and ensure trusted access for emergencies.
Updates
Regularly update Ledger Live and firmware through the official channel to receive security patches and new features.
Phishing awareness
Never click links claiming to be support; Ledger will never ask for your seed. Use official channels and bookmarks.
Final takeaway
Starting at Ledger.com/start is the simplest way to guarantee you’re using authentic Ledger software and following recommended security practices. From generating a 24-word seed phrase and locking your device with a PIN, to using Ledger Live to manage accounts, each step reduces your risk while increasing your personal control over crypto assets. Remember the four fundamentals: keep private keys offline, protect the seed with physical backups, verify devices and firmware, and use only official downloads. Do that, and your Ledger is not just a gadget — it becomes a durable vault for your financial future.
Go to Ledger.com/start now — set up, secure, and sleep easier knowing you hold the keys.