Ledger.com/Start® | Getting Started — Ledger: Your Complete 1,300-Word Guide
Setting up a Ledger hardware wallet is one of the most important steps anyone can take to secure their digital assets. With cyber-attacks, exchange hacks, and increasing threats to online wallets, self-custody has become essential—especially for long-term investors and individuals looking to take full control of their cryptocurrencies. Ledger.com/Start® is the official onboarding portal created by Ledger to help users activate, configure, and begin using their Ledger device safely.
Whether you’re new to crypto or an experienced holder, this guide will walk you through everything Ledger.com/Start offers—setup steps, best practices, security guidance, features, and troubleshooting tips—so you begin your Ledger journey with complete confidence.
1. What Is Ledger.com/Start®?
Ledger.com/Start® is the official setup page for Ledger devices such as the Ledger Nano S Plus, Ledger Nano X, and the Ledger Stax. The portal provides:
Verified app download links for Ledger Live
Step-by-step hardware wallet setup instructions
Recovery phrase security guidance
Firmware update instructions
Tutorials and educational content
Troubleshooting resources
Using the official Ledger.com/Start link ensures that users download authentic software and avoid counterfeit sites, which is critical in preventing phishing attacks. Ledger strongly recommends all customers visit only the official onboarding site, as it guarantees a safe and verified device setup.
2. Why Self-Custody With Ledger Matters
Cryptocurrencies empower individuals with decentralized financial control—but only when those assets are stored securely. Leaving your crypto on exchanges or software wallets exposes your funds to risks like:
Exchange bankruptcies
Hot-wallet hacks
Malware attacks
Phishing scams
Insider theft
Data breaches
Ledger hardware wallets solve this by storing your private keys inside a Secure Element chip—a military-grade, tamper-resistant component used in passports and payment cards. Your private keys never leave the device. Even if your computer is compromised, your funds remain safe.
3. Getting Started at Ledger.com/Start®
Here’s what you can expect when you access the official setup page.
Step 1: Go to the official link
Type Ledger.com/Start® into your browser.
Verify that the URL is spelled correctly and secured with HTTPS.
Step 2: Download Ledger Live
Ledger Live is the companion app used to manage your wallet. From the Start page, choose your platform:
Windows
macOS
Linux
iOS (mobile)
Android
Ledger Live lets you:
Install crypto apps on your device
Create and manage accounts
Buy, sell, swap, and stake assets
Track your portfolio
Verify transactions on-device
Downloading it from Ledger.com/Start ensures authenticity.
Step 3: Initialize Your Ledger Device
After opening Ledger Live, you’ll be guided through the setup of your specific model.
You can choose to:
Set up as a new device
Restore using an existing recovery phrase
Migrate to a new Ledger model
If this is your first time, choose Set up as new.
4. Securely Creating Your Recovery Phrase
The most important part of setup is generating your 24-word recovery phrase.
✔ What it is
A recovery phrase is a human-readable representation of your private keys.
It allows you to restore your wallet on any Ledger device—even if yours is lost or damaged.
✔ How to store it
Ledger recommends storing it:
Offline
On paper or metal backup plates
In multiple secure locations
Never digitally (no photos, screenshots, or cloud storage)
✔ What NOT to do
Do not enter it into any website
Do not share it with anyone
Do not type it into your computer
Do not let any “support representative” ask for it—Ledger will NEVER request it
If someone has your recovery phrase, they can steal your crypto. Period.
5. Installing Apps and Adding Accounts
Once your device is initialized, Ledger Live will prompt you to install crypto apps on the hardware wallet based on the assets you want to manage. Examples include:
Bitcoin (BTC) app
Ethereum (ETH) app
Solana (SOL) app
XRP app
Cardano (ADA) app
Polygon (MATIC) app
Each app corresponds to a blockchain.
After installing apps, you can add accounts in Ledger Live. Accounts allow you to monitor balances, send and receive transactions, and view historical activity.
6. Making Your First Transaction
Sending or receiving crypto with a Ledger device is simple:
Receiving crypto
Open Ledger Live
Select your asset and account
Click Receive
Ledger Live will display an address
Your Ledger device will simultaneously show the same address
Verify they match before confirming
This on-device verification prevents hackers from swapping addresses on your computer.
Sending crypto
Click Send in Ledger Live
Enter the destination address
Confirm details on your Ledger device screen
The device requires physical button presses to approve transactions, making unauthorized transfers impossible.
7. Ledger Live Features You Unlock After Setup
Ledger Live is more than a simple management tool. It provides an entire ecosystem for interacting with crypto securely.
Portfolio Dashboard
View your total holdings, individual asset performance, price movements, and allocation.
Buy Crypto
You can purchase crypto through verified Ledger partners directly in Ledger Live.
Swap Crypto
Swap assets without using centralized exchanges, depending on regional availability.
Earn Rewards (Staking)
Stake assets such as:
ETH
DOT
SOL
ATOM
XTZ
Staking directly from Ledger Live ensures you maintain control of your private keys.
NFT Management
For Ethereum and Polygon NFTs, Ledger Live allows:
Viewing collections
Sending NFTs
Receiving NFTs
All actions require device confirmation.
8. Keeping Your Ledger Device Updated
Ledger.com/Start includes guidance on updating firmware. Regular updates improve security and add support for new assets.
To update:
Open Ledger Live
Connect your device
Follow update instructions
Confirm on your device
You never lose assets during firmware updates because your crypto lives on the blockchain—not the device.
9. Safety and Security Best Practices
Use only official links
Always navigate via Ledger.com/Start or Ledger.com.
Bookmark the URL.
Beware of phishing
Scammers may impersonate Ledger support.
Ledger will never:
Ask for your recovery phrase
Ask you to send crypto
Contact you unsolicited
Use a strong PIN
Choose a 4–8 digit PIN for your device.
If someone enters the wrong PIN three times, your Ledger resets—protecting your wallet.
Enable passphrases (optional advanced security)
You can create hidden wallets with additional passphrases.
This protects your main funds even if someone accesses your 24-word phrase.
Back up securely
Use metal recovery plates for long-term protection against:
Fire
Water
Physical damage
Time-based degradation
10. Common Troubleshooting Tips
Device not recognized?
Try a different USB cable
Restart Ledger Live
Update Ledger Live
Plug into a different USB port
Ensure the device is unlocked
Ledger Live won’t synchronize
Check your internet connection
Clear cache
Update the app
Firmware update stuck
Restart Ledger Live
Unplug and reconnect device
Try recovery mode (as instructed on the official site)
Lost your Ledger device?
Your crypto is SAFE if you have your recovery phrase.
You can restore everything on a new Ledger.
11. Why Ledger.com/Start® Is Considered the Gold Standard for Setup
Thousands of users trust Ledger because:
It uses highly secure chips
It provides offline key storage
It supports more than 5,500 assets
Ledger Live integrates multiple blockchain functions
The company focuses on user education and transparency
Open-source components allow community verification
Ledger.com/Start simplifies the onboarding process, ensuring that even beginners can set up their devices in minutes while following industry-leading security practices.
12. Final Thoughts: Begin Your Crypto Journey the Secure Way
Crypto ownership brings freedom—but also responsibility. Using a Ledger hardware wallet is the safest way to ensure your digital assets stay under your control. Ledger.com/Start® provides everything you need to set up, secure, and confidently manage your crypto portfolio without relying on centralized platforms.
By following the official instructions, safeguarding your recovery phrase, and using Ledger Live responsibly, you place your crypto in one of the most secure environments possible.
If you’re ready to begin, simply visit the official site:
Ledger.com/Start® — The trusted gateway to safe crypto self-custody.