Ledger.com/start — Official Getting Started Guide

A colorful, step-by-step walkthrough (with FAQ) to set up your Ledger hardware wallet and start securing crypto safely.
Official • Beginner-friendly • Secure

Welcome — what this guide covers

This guide walks you through every essential step on Ledger.com/start, from unboxing your Ledger device to making your first secure transaction. It uses practical, current best practices and provides a friendly FAQ for troubleshooting. Headings are clearly marked (H1–H5) so you can copy HTML sections directly into a blog or internal knowledge base.

Get started Device setup Ledger Live & apps Security essentials Send & receive Backup & recovery FAQ 10 Office times

Before you begin

Make sure you have:

  • The physical Ledger device you purchased (Ledger Nano S Plus, Ledger Nano X, or other model).
  • A computer or phone with a modern browser (Chrome, Brave, Edge) or the Ledger Live app installed.
  • A secure, private space for writing down your recovery phrase — ideally offline and not photographed.

Quick safety checklist (H4)

  • Only use ledger.com/start or the official Ledger Live app to initialize your device.
  • Never share your 24-word recovery phrase with anyone.
  • Do not enter your recovery phrase into any website, app, or phone.

H2 — Device setup (step-by-step)

H3 — Unboxing and first inspection

When you receive your Ledger device, inspect the packaging for tamper evidence. The official Ledger package uses factory seals and documentation. If anything appears damaged or tampered with, contact support before powering on.

H4 — Powering on & language selection

Power on your device using the supplied USB cable (or paired Bluetooth for Nano X). Select your language on the device when prompted. This establishes the device UI language for all future prompts.

H4 — Create a new wallet (initialize)

Choose “Set up as new device” on the device. The device will generate a new seed (recovery phrase). Follow the on-screen steps carefully: the device will show you a series of words — write them down exactly in order on the supplied recovery sheet or another secure medium.

H5 — Writing the recovery phrase

H3 — Confirming the recovery phrase

The Ledger device will ask you to confirm a few words to ensure you wrote them down correctly. This is a security check — complete it directly on the device. 

<!-- Example snippet: HTML block you can use to show a setup summary -->
<section class="setup-summary">
  <h4>Device: Ledger Nano X</h4>
  <p>Status: Initialized & Recovery phrase written (24 words)</p>
</section>

H3 — Install Ledger Live

Download Ledger Live from the official site (one of the links in the right column). Open Ledger Live, create or restore an account there, and pair it with your physical device when prompted.

H4 — Add crypto accounts (apps)

Ledger Live uses apps (one per blockchain). In Ledger Live: Manager → install the apps you need (Bitcoin, Ethereum, etc.). Each app consumes a portion of device memory; install only what you will use.

H2 — Using Ledger Live & third-party integrations

H3 — Ledger Live basics

Ledger Live is the official companion app. It provides portfolio overview, send/receive flow, swap/bridge integrations, and firmware updates. Always update firmware and Ledger Live to the latest versions from the official site.

H4 — Send & receive flow (overview)

  1. Open the account (e.g., Bitcoin) in Ledger Live.
  2. Click Receive — verify the address on your device.
  3. Send funds from another wallet or exchange to that address.
  4. To send, create a transaction in Ledger Live and confirm it physically on your device.
H5 — Confirming addresses

Always verify the receiving address shown in Ledger Live against the address displayed on your Ledger device screen. If they differ, cancel the operation.

H4 — Third-party dApps & wallets

Ledger supports integrations (e.g., MetaMask, WalletConnect). When connecting, approve actions on your device rather than approving everything in the browser. This ensures the device signs transactions securely.

H2 — Security essentials (best practices)

H3 — The recovery phrase is everything

Your 24-word phrase is the single most important piece of information. Whoever has it controls your funds. Store it offline, in multiple physical locations if appropriate, and consider multi-copy redundancy (e.g., two different steel backups stored separately).

H4 — PIN codes & passphrases

Choose a strong device PIN and keep it private. Ledger also supports an optional passphrase (BIP39 passphrase) which acts as a 25th word — use it only if you understand the additional complexity and risks.

H5 — Firmware & software updates

Keep firmware and Ledger Live updated. Updates patch security and compatibility issues. Only update using the official Ledger Live flow and official site.

H2 — Sending, receiving, and transaction tips

H3 — Checking network fees

When sending, Ledger Live shows recommended fees. For chains like Ethereum, consider checking gas prices and batching payments when possible to save costs.

H4 — Transaction confirmation on device

The hardware wallet displays transaction details: amounts, destination, and fees. Confirm all details carefully before approving. If something looks wrong, reject the transaction and review on-chain explorers if needed.

H3 — Common mistakes to avoid

H2 — Backup, recovery & emergency planning

H3 — Testing recovery

Before moving significant funds, test your recovery on a spare device (or after resetting your device) to ensure you can restore from your written seed.

H4 — Distributing risk

For high-value holdings, consider splitting funds across multiple devices and locations to reduce single-point-of-failure risk.

H2 — Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1 — What should I do if I lose my Ledger device?

If you lose the device but still have your 24-word recovery phrase, you can restore your wallet on a new Ledger device or any compatible wallet that supports BIP39/BIP44. If you lost both device and recovery phrase, funds cannot be recovered.

Q2 — Can I restore my recovery phrase on a software wallet?

Technically yes, but this defeats the security benefits of a hardware wallet. Only restore seed phrases into software wallets if you fully understand the security implications (they become hot wallets).

Q3 — Is Ledger Live required to use Ledger?

Ledger Live is the official companion app and simplifies management, but advanced users may use third-party wallets and dApps. Use official Ledger instructions and verify any third-party integration.

Q4 — What is a passphrase and should I use it?

A passphrase is an optional extra layer (like a 25th word). It increases security but also complexity — if you forget the passphrase, funds are effectively lost. Use only if you have a secure, tested plan for storage.

Q5 — How do I know my device isn't tampered with?

Inspect packaging and ensure firmware comes from Ledger Live official flow. Ledger devices boot with a built-in check — do not accept pre-initialized devices from unknown sources.

Q6 — Can Ledger help recover stolen funds?

Ledger cannot reverse on-chain transactions. If you are a victim of theft, collect all relevant evidence and contact local law enforcement or the exchange the thief used to cash out. Ledger support can help with security advice but cannot recover funds.

Q7 — Are there limits to which coins I can store?

Ledger supports thousands of assets via Ledger Live and third-party apps, but not every token is supported natively—some require third-party wallets and integrations.

Q8 — What's the difference between firmware and app updates?

Firmware updates change the device's core operating system and are critical for security; apps are blockchain-specific software modules installed via Ledger Live (e.g., Bitcoin app).

Q9 — How should I store my recovery phrase physically?

Use fireproof and waterproof storage options (steel backup plates), avoid single-location storage, and consider trusted custodial options only if you understand their tradeoffs.

Q10 — Where can I get official help?

Use the Ledger Support Center, Ledger.com/start, or contact official support channels listed above. Beware of phishing support offers on social media — verify official domains and email addresses.

H2 — Appendix: HTML snippets & developer-friendly blocks

H3 — Prebuilt "Getting Started" HTML block (copy/paste)

<!-- BEGIN: Ledger.com/start — Getting Started Block -->
<section class="ledger-getting-started">
  <h1>Ledger.com/start — Official Getting Started Guide</h1>
  <h2>Unboxing & Setup</h2>
  <p>Power on the device, choose language, and write your recovery phrase.</p>
</section>
<!-- END -->

H4 — Accessibility & SEO tips