Ledger.com/Start® — Getting Started
You’ve arrived at Ledger.com/Start®, your official first stop to establish your Ledger hardware wallet. Our goal is to help you begin securely, protecting your digital assets with best‑in‑class hardware and a wallet experience you can trust. Every step here is designed for clarity, safety, and control.
Ledger stores your private keys offline. You, and only you, authorize transactions directly from the device. Let’s walk through getting set up safely and confidently. ⚙️
To reduce setup friction, please prepare the following items:
⚠️ Never type or store your recovery phrase online or in cloud storage. It’s your key to recovery—keep it offline and secure.
Open your preferred web browser and go to https://ledger.com/start. Check that the URL is valid and that the SSL padlock appears. This ensures you're interacting with the genuine Ledger site, not a clone or phishing page.
On this page, you'll find “Download Ledger Live,” “Set Up Device,” and “Security Guidance” links — everything you need to begin.
From the Start page, download **Ledger Live**, the official app for managing your Ledger device. Versions are available for desktop and mobile. Choose the version that matches your operating system.
After downloading, install Ledger Live, grant the required permissions, and open it. This app will orchestrate all device interactions — firmware updates, account management, transaction operations, and more.
Use the supplied cable (or Bluetooth if supported) to connect your Ledger wallet to your computer or mobile device. Ledger Live will detect the device automatically. If it doesn't, try a different port or cable. Ensure your device is charged if needed.
The device will display prompts for you to follow. Always confirm details shown on the Ledger screen. That’s your in‑device verification step, the core of true security. 🛡️
Once connected, Ledger Live asks: “Initialize as new device” or “Restore from recovery phrase.”
If initializing new, write down the recovery phrase shown on screen in the exact order. Ledger will ask you to confirm certain words to ensure accuracy.
After recovery or initialization, you’ll set a PIN. You use this PIN every time you access or approve something on the Ledger. Crucially, PIN entry happens on the physical device—not on your computer or phone—to prevent remote compromise.
Choose a PIN that’s memorable for you but unpredictable for others. Avoid easy combinations like birthdays or repeats. And never store your PIN alongside your recovery phrase.
Ledger supports many cryptocurrencies. To manage them, install the relevant apps inside Ledger Live using the “App Catalog.” Then, add the corresponding accounts. Each new account will require confirmation on the device.
Install only the apps you need to reduce attack surface. Ledger Live shows trusted sources and signatures to verify app authenticity.
With setup complete, you can now perform common wallet operations:
Even with premium hardware, your habits matter. Here are critical practices to maximize security:
🔐 Your device secures your keys. Your behavior secures your crypto.
Losing or damaging your Ledger device doesn’t mean losing access—if your recovery phrase is safe:
With all that done correctly, you’ll regain access to your funds and account history.
If things don’t go perfectly, here are frequent issues and how you can resolve them: