Official Site® | Ledger.com/Start® — Getting started
A clear, practical guide to safely start with Ledger hardware wallets via the Ledger.com/start flow: download Ledger Live, set up your device, secure your recovery, add accounts, and manage crypto safely.
Overview
This guide mirrors the typical steps you’ll take when using the official start path at Ledger.com/start. Ledger devices (such as Nano S Plus and Nano X) are hardware wallets that keep your private keys offline. The usual flow: download the official Ledger Live app, initialize or restore your Ledger device, write down and secure your recovery phrase, add accounts in Ledger Live, and perform send/receive operations while confirming every action on the device itself.
Important: This walkthrough is educational and does not replace official product documentation or live support. Always verify critical steps against the vendor's official guidance and support channels.
Before you start — quick checklist
Buy your Ledger device from the official store or an authorized reseller — avoid used or second-hand devices.
Choose a trusted computer (or smartphone) and a private workspace for setup.
Have a pen and a clean recovery sheet or a metal backup ready — do not use a camera or digital file to store your seed.
Type Ledger.com/start manually into your browser’s address bar to avoid phishing domains.
Tip: Bookmark the official start page after you load it manually. That reduces the risk of falling for lookalike sites later.
Download Ledger Live — desktop & mobile
Ledger Live is the official companion application for desktop and mobile. It manages accounts, prepares transactions, installs device apps, and performs firmware updates. Always download Ledger Live only from the official source.
Desktop
Open your browser and go to Ledger.com/start (type it manually).
On the site choose the Ledger Live download for your operating system (Windows, macOS, Linux).
Optionally verify the checksum or signature if provided; then run the installer.
Allow any system permissions requested (USB access on desktop) and launch Ledger Live after installation.
Mobile
Open the App Store (iOS) or Google Play (Android).
Search for Ledger Live and check the publisher to ensure it's the official app.
Install, then open the app and follow the mobile onboarding flow.
Never install Ledger Live from third-party websites, app stores not maintained by your platform, or links sent in unsolicited messages. Phishing apps and pages are common.
Set up your Ledger device — create or restore
After installing Ledger Live, choose whether to create a new device or restore an existing seed. The device prompts are designed so that all secret entry happens on the hardware unit itself.
Creating a new device
Power on your Ledger device and follow the on-device prompts to select Create a new device.
Choose a PIN code (4–8 digits or per-device options) using the device buttons — do not write the PIN on your recovery sheet.
The device will display your recovery phrase (typically 24 words). Write the words down exactly and in the order shown on the supplied recovery sheet or a metal backup plate.
Confirm the recovery phrase on-device when prompted to complete setup.
Restoring from an existing recovery phrase
Select Restore from recovery phrase on the device.
Enter each word using the device’s input method as prompted.
After restoration, connect the device to Ledger Live and add accounts to view balances derived from the restored seed.
Never type or paste your recovery phrase into Ledger Live, a website, an email, or a message. The recovery phrase must only be entered on the hardware device during restore flows.
Add accounts in Ledger Live
Accounts are derived wallets shown in Ledger Live. Adding an account allows the app to scan the blockchain and present balances and transaction history for addresses derived from your seed.
Open Ledger Live and unlock or complete onboarding.
Go to Accounts → Add account.
Select the cryptocurrency (Bitcoin, Ethereum, etc.) and follow the prompts — you will need to open the matching app on your Ledger device when requested.
Ledger Live will scan the blockchain and list available accounts; name them for organizational clarity (e.g., “BTC — Savings”).
You can add multiple accounts per currency (useful for separating funds and privacy). Accounts are re-derived from your device seed — removing Ledger Live does not remove your funds.
Receive crypto — verify addresses on-device
Select the account you want to receive into and click Receive.
Ledger Live shows a receive address and asks you to open the corresponding app on your Ledger device.
Compare the address shown in Ledger Live with the address displayed physically on the device screen — they must match.
Share the verified address (or QR code) with the sender.
Malware can change clipboard contents or screen displays. Always trust the hardware device's screen for address verification before receiving funds.
Send crypto — sign transactions on-device
Choose the account in Ledger Live and click Send.
Enter the recipient address and amount (consider a small test transfer for a new address).
Ledger Live prepares the unsigned transaction and asks you to confirm and sign on your Ledger device.
The device will display the recipient address, amount, and fees — review these carefully on-device and physically confirm the transaction to sign.
Once signed, Ledger Live broadcasts the transaction to the network and shows status until confirmed.
If the on-device details don't match what you expect, cancel the operation immediately. Never approve mismatched information on the device screen.
Firmware updates & device apps
Ledger periodically releases firmware updates and the Ledger Live Manager lets you install blockchain-specific apps on the device. Firmware updates improve security and functionality — apply them only via Ledger Live and confirm everything on-device.
In Ledger Live, open Manager.
If a firmware update is available, follow the on-screen instructions. You will be asked to confirm steps on the device.
Install or uninstall blockchain apps as needed — removing an app does not delete the underlying keys (accounts can be re-derived later).
Before major firmware changes, ensure you have your recovery phrase safely backed up. Never enter your recovery phrase during firmware updates.
Security best practices — essential checklist
Always download Ledger Live from the official site and bookmark it. Do not click links received via unsolicited messages.
Buy devices new from the official store or authorized resellers; inspect packaging for tamper evidence.
Never share your recovery phrase. It is the single backup for your keys — anyone with it can access your funds.
Store your recovery phrase offline (paper or metal). Consider geographical redundancy for critical holdings.
Verify addresses and transaction details on the device screen every time.
Use a reliable USB cable and avoid untrusted USB hubs; for Nano X, prefer USB for firmware/management tasks.
Keep Ledger Live and your device firmware up to date via official channels.
If you plan to use advanced features (passphrase, staking, third-party dApps), learn how each feature affects recovery and threat model before enabling it.
Troubleshooting — common issues & fixes
Device not detected: Try a different USB cable/port, avoid hubs, and ensure the device is unlocked before launching Ledger Live.
Firmware update failed: Reconnect the device and retry via Ledger Live. If the device is unresponsive, follow official recovery guidance before sharing secrets online.
Forgot PIN: After repeated wrong attempts the device wipes; restore using your recovery phrase on a new device.
Lost recovery phrase: If you do not have the recovery phrase, funds are unrecoverable. Always back up your seed securely.
When contacting support, only use official Ledger support channels. Never provide your recovery phrase to support — legitimate support will never ask for it.
Further resources
Official Ledger documentation and support pages — for model-specific guides and security advisories.
Community guides and verified tutorials — useful for walkthroughs, but always cross-check with official docs.