Ledger.com/start | Ledger Device Setup

A step-by-step, secure Ledger device onboarding guide — setup Ledger Live, initialize your Ledger hardware wallet, and protect your recovery phrase.

Start your Ledger device the secure way

Keywords: Ledger.com/start, Ledger device setup, Ledger Live

Setting up a Ledger hardware wallet is the foundational step to owning cryptocurrency securely. Ledger.com/start provides a clear, practical Ledger device setup flow so users can initialize Ledger devices, set PINs, generate recovery phrases on-device, and configure Ledger Live to manage multi-chain assets. This guide walks through essential Ledger device setup steps, security best practices, and simple troubleshooting to ensure a reliable onboarding experience.

Why Ledger device setup is critical

The Ledger device setup process is intentionally strict because the integrity of your recovery phrase and the isolation of private keys determine whether your crypto remains safe. When you follow Ledger.com/start instructions — generate seed on-device, write your recovery phrase offline, verify addresses on-device, and confirm every transaction on the device — you minimize risks from phishing, malware, and remote attackers.

Before you start — checklist

  • Use an official Ledger.com download link for Ledger Live (always HTTPS).
  • Have a secure, offline place to store your recovery phrase (paper or metal backup).
  • Keep a small test amount available to confirm transactions after setup.
  • Use the original cable included with your Ledger device or a verified replacement.

Step-by-step Ledger device setup (quick)

  1. Download Ledger Live: Visit the official downloads page and fetch the installer for your OS. If checksums are provided, verify with shasum -a 256 filename or an equivalent tool.
  2. Install and launch Ledger Live: Run the installer, open the app, and choose "Get started."
  3. Connect your Ledger device: Use the supplied USB / USB-C cable. Unlock the device when prompted.
  4. Create or restore: Select "Create new device" to generate a new recovery phrase on-device, or select "Restore device" and follow on-device prompts to enter your existing seed via the device interface (never type it on your computer).
  5. Set a secure PIN: Choose a PIN directly on your Ledger device. Avoid predictable numbers; use a PIN you can remember but that isn't easily guessable.
  6. Write down the recovery phrase: The device will show a 24-word recovery phrase. Write each word down in order on the provided card or a secure metal backup. Store copies offline and in separate secure locations.
  7. Optional passphrase: For extra privacy you can enable a passphrase (advanced). Understand that a passphrase adds a hidden wallet that will only be recoverable by the exact passphrase plus recovery phrase — losing it means losing funds in that hidden account.
  8. Add accounts to Ledger Live: After setup, add Bitcoin, Ethereum, or other supported accounts inside Ledger Live and let the app synchronize balances.
  9. Test send/receive: Receive a small inbound transaction and send a small outbound transaction to validate the whole flow and on-device confirmations.

Security best practices

Ledger.com/start encourages these must-follow practices:

  • Never share your recovery phrase: Ledger Support or any legitimate service will never ask for it.
  • Keep the seed offline: No photos, no cloud storage — only physical secure backups.
  • Confirm addresses on-device: When receiving, compare the address shown in Ledger Live with the device display to prevent address substitution attacks.
  • Use firmware & app updates: Only update firmware and Ledger Live when prompted or via official instructions; verify checksums for downloaded installers.
  • Beware of phishing: Type URLs manually or use bookmarks and never follow unsolicited links promising help with your seed.

Managing accounts and multi-chain support

Ledger Live supports many blockchains. After adding accounts, Ledger Live aggregates balances, shows market values, and provides transaction history. Label accounts for clarity, export CSVs for taxes, and use built-in features like swaps and staking where supported — always approving actions on your Ledger device.

Troubleshooting common setup issues

If your device is not detected, try a different cable or USB port, unlock the device, and check OS USB permissions. If Ledger Live shows a firmware mismatch, follow the official firmware update flow in the app (do not use third-party tools). For persistent problems, export logs from Ledger Live and consult official support channels.

FAQ

Can I set up Ledger without Ledger Live?

You can initialize some device options on-device, but Ledger Live offers the easiest secure flow to add accounts, monitor balances and update firmware. Ledger Live is recommended for most users.

What if I lose my seed?

If you lose your recovery phrase, you cannot restore access. Store multiple offline copies in secure, geographically separate locations.

How can I speed up Bing indexing?

Publish over HTTPS, submit an XML sitemap to Bing Webmaster Tools, use unique high-quality content, include structured data (JSON-LD), and ensure canonical URLs. This page contains meta tags and JSON-LD to assist search engines.

Tip: use a small "practice" amount for test transactions until you are fully comfortable with the workflow — safety first.