Official Site® | Ledger.com/Start® - Secure Wallet Setupt™

The official Ledger.com/Start onboarding hub: everything you need to securely set up your Ledger hardware wallet and Ledger Live, protect your recovery seed, enable strong authentication, and use your device with confidence.

Overview

Ledger.com/Start is the official starting point for setting up Ledger hardware wallets (such as Ledger Nano S Plus and Ledger Nano X) and installing Ledger Live — the companion desktop and mobile application. This guide walks you through the recommended secure setup flow, explains the security model, and lists best practices for backing up, maintaining, and using your hardware wallet in everyday and high-value scenarios.

What you'll need

  • A Ledger device (Nano S Plus, Nano X, or other supported model)
  • A computer or smartphone and the official USB or Bluetooth connection
  • Ledger Live downloaded from ledger.com/start (desktop or mobile)
  • Pen and the provided recovery sheet, or a durable metal seed backup
  • A private location to complete initial setup

Security note: Always download Ledger Live directly from the official website and never enter your recovery phrase into a computer, phone, or web form. Ledger support will never ask for your seed or full password.

Unboxing & inspect

Inspect packaging for tamper evidence and confirm the device model and accessories. If anything appears tampered with or damaged, contact Ledger support immediately through official channels before powering on the device. Keep the original packaging until you've completed setup and are satisfied with the device integrity.

Download & install Ledger Live

Visit ledger.com/start, choose your device and platform, and download Ledger Live. Prefer the desktop installer for maximum isolation; mobile apps provide convenient access for day-to-day use. Verify the URL and checksum when provided, and install the application from the official source only.

  1. Go to ledger.com/start and select your device model.
  2. Download Ledger Live for Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, or Android.
  3. Install and open Ledger Live; choose Get started to begin onboarding.

Initialize your Ledger — set up as new or restore

During onboarding you can set up the device as new or restore an existing wallet from a recovery phrase. The device generates the recovery phrase during setup — written words displayed only on-device — which you must record offline. Ledger Live will guide you through firmware checks and the initial pairing process.

  1. Create as new: The device displays the recovery words. Write them down in order on the supplied recovery sheet—do not take photos or store them digitally.
  2. Restore existing: If restoring from a previous seed, enter the seed directly on the Ledger device following prompts.
  3. Set a PIN: Choose a PIN to protect device access; the device's on-screen randomized keypad mitigates keyloggers.

Important: Your recovery phrase is the only backup of your private keys. Without it you cannot recover your funds if the device is lost or damaged.

Firmware & authenticity checks

Ledger Live verifies firmware signatures and will prompt you to install official firmware when required. Always accept firmware updates only through Ledger Live and verify the device display when updating. The device will show a fingerprint or confirmation that Ledger Live checks before flashing firmware — follow those prompts rather than external instructions.

Adding accounts & managing assets

After initialization, use Ledger Live to install blockchain apps on your device and add accounts for the cryptocurrencies you want to manage. Ledger Live aggregates balances, transaction history, and provides tools for staking and integrations with vetted third-party partners.

  • Open Ledger Live → Manager to install apps for supported blockchains.
  • Add accounts via Accounts → Add account and label them for bookkeeping.
  • Generate receive addresses in Ledger Live and always verify the address on your Ledger device before sharing.

Sending & receiving securely

Ledger Live prepares transactions and sends them to your Ledger device for signing. The device will display the transaction's destination, amount, and fees — verify every detail on the hardware screen and only confirm when correct. This on-device verification defends against address-replacement malware.

MFA, passphrases & advanced protection

In addition to the device PIN, Ledger supports optional passphrases which create hidden wallets derived from the same seed — an advanced feature that provides plausible deniability and additional account separation. Use passphrases only if you fully understand recovery implications: losing the passphrase means losing access to funds in that hidden wallet.

For online accounts (exchanges, email), enable multi-factor authentication (authenticator apps or hardware keys) and keep recovery codes offline.

Backup & long-term storage best practices

Keep recovery seeds offline and consider resilient backups such as metal seed plates to protect against fire, water, and aging. Store backups in geographically separated, secure locations—consider a safe deposit box or trusted secure home safe. Avoid digital backups of raw seed words (photos, cloud notes, password manager plain text).

Security best practices (summary)

  • Download Ledger Live only from ledger.com/start and verify the URL.
  • Write the recovery phrase by hand and store it in secure, offline locations.
  • Verify firmware and transaction details on the device display before confirming.
  • Use a strong PIN and consider passphrase only if you understand the tradeoffs.
  • Enable withdrawal whitelists and account alerts where available for exchange accounts.

Troubleshooting & support

If Ledger Live does not detect your device try a different USB cable or port, restart the app and computer, and ensure Ledger Live is updated. If you forget your PIN, the device will wipe after repeated incorrect entries — restore using your recovery seed. If you suspect seed compromise, restore to a new seed and transfer funds to fresh accounts immediately. Always use official support channels via the Ledger website.

Conclusion

Ledger.com/Start provides the official, secure path for starting up your Ledger hardware wallet and Ledger Live. By following the recommendations in this guide — verifying packaging, using official downloads, recording seeds offline, confirming on-device prompts, and applying robust backup practices — you establish a secure workflow for managing digital assets. For model-specific instructions, compatibility, and the latest security notices, always consult ledger.com/start and Ledger’s official documentation.

Open Ledger Start