Ledger Start: Your Secure Beginning

Ledger Start is the official pathway to set up your Ledger hardware wallet safely and confidently. It walks you through unboxing, creating a PIN, backing up your recovery phrase, and connecting to Ledger Live. Whether you are new to crypto or switching from a software wallet, this guide ensures your private keys remain offline and under your control.

Why Ledger Matters for Self-Custody

Unlike online or mobile wallets that expose secrets to the internet, Ledger keeps your private keys inside a secure element chip. Transactions are signed on the device, so malware on your computer cannot move funds without your physical confirmation. Pairing the device with the Ledger Live app gives you a clean interface while preserving true ownership of your assets.

Remember: your recovery phrase is the only backup to your crypto. Protect it like a master key.

What You Need Before You Start

• A genuine Ledger device purchased from official channels.
• A trusted computer or smartphone and a known-good USB cable.
• Time and a quiet place to write your 24-word recovery phrase.
• Access to the official site: ledger.com/start.

Quick Setup Steps

• Unbox & connect: Plug in your Ledger and power it on.
• Create a PIN: Choose a strong PIN that only you know.
• Back up recovery phrase: Carefully write the 24 words in order on paper, not digitally.
• Install Ledger Live: Download the official app and complete device verification.
• Add accounts: Install coin apps and create accounts for assets you hold.
• Test a small transfer: Send a tiny amount first to build confidence.

Using Ledger Live Day to Day

Ledger Live is your control center. In Portfolio, track total value and recent activity. Accounts lets you add assets like Bitcoin, Ethereum, and popular tokens. Use Receive to generate addresses verified on your device, and Send to move funds—always confirming the amount and address on the Ledger screen. You can also update firmware, manage coin apps, and explore staking where supported.

Best Practices & Helpful FAQs

• Never type your 24 words into a website or app. The device will never ask you to.
• Verify on device: If an address differs between your screen and Ledger, cancel immediately.
• Keep software current: Update Ledger Live and firmware for new features and fixes.
• Store backups offline: Consider two separate, secure locations for your recovery phrase.
• Phishing checks: Always verify the URL is exactly ledger.com.

Troubleshooting tips: If your wallet isn’t recognized, try a different USB port/cable, restart Ledger Live, or reboot your computer. On updates that fail, reconnect the device and follow the guided steps in “My Ledger.” If antivirus or a firewall blocks connections, temporarily whitelist Ledger Live.

With these practices, you get the best of both worlds: the usability of a modern portfolio app and the protection of hardware-level security. From first setup to everyday transactions, the device ensures that any movement of funds requires your physical confirmation, making silent theft dramatically harder.

Ready to begin? Visit ledger.com/start to download Ledger Live and follow the official onboarding. Take control of your digital wealth today with secure, simple, and proven self-custody.