Disclaimer: This page is sample landing-page content and is not official Ledger documentation. It was created as example content only. Always verify critical instructions and downloads at the official domain: Ledger.com/start.

Snapshot: Use this guide to complete the essential setup tasks for a Ledger hardware wallet: unbox, verify authenticity, install Ledger Live, initialize the device, create and secure your recovery, install coin apps, update firmware, and perform a small test transaction. For official resources, visit Ledger.com/start and the Ledger Support Center.

Why use a hardware wallet — read this before setup

For anyone serious about protecting cryptocurrency, a hardware wallet is the single most effective consumer-grade solution. Hardware wallets keep private keys inside a dedicated, tamper-resistant device. Ledger devices sign transactions on-device, ensuring private keys never touch your connected computer. When you follow the setup steps on Ledger.com/start, you reduce the attack surface and dramatically lower the risk of online compromise.

Unboxing: authenticity and first checks

  1. Examine the packaging: A genuine device will arrive factory-sealed. If seals appear broken or tampered with, stop and contact the seller.
  2. Check contents: Confirm your Ledger device, the USB cable, quick start card, and recovery materials are present.
  3. Buy from trusted sources: Only purchase from authorized retailers or the official store. The authoritative domain to begin setup is Ledger.com/start — type it directly into your browser.

Step 1 — Visit Ledger.com/start

Always begin at the official URL: Ledger.com/start. Type it manually or use a bookmark you saved earlier. This avoids malicious redirects or imitated pages. The official start page links you to the Ledger Live downloads and exact instructions for your model. Remember: Ledger.com/start is the starting point for genuine setup resources.

Step 2 — Install Ledger Live

Ledger Live is the companion application you will use to install coin apps, create accounts, view balances, and update firmware. Download Ledger Live only from Ledger.com/start or from the Ledger Live page linked there. Ledger Live is available for Windows, macOS, Linux, Android and iOS.

Step 3 — Initialize your Ledger device

  1. Connect the device when Ledger Live asks you to.
  2. Select "Set up as new device" (unless restoring from an existing seed).
  3. Create a secure PIN — use a PIN you can recall but that is not trivial or easily guessable.
  4. Write down the recovery phrase — Ledger devices provide a 24-word recovery phrase. Document it carefully in the exact order shown and store it physically.

Step 4 — Secure the recovery phrase

The 24-word recovery phrase is the ultimate backup to your wallet. If you lose your device, the recovery phrase restores your funds on another compatible device. Best practices:

  • Write the phrase on the supplied recovery card and consider a resilient metal backup for durability.
  • Store copies in physically separate secure locations (home safe, bank vault).
  • Never photograph, email, or copy the phrase into cloud storage.

Step 5 — Optional passphrase (advanced users)

A passphrase (a user-created password that augments the seed) creates an additional "hidden" wallet. This is a powerful security option but is advanced: losing the passphrase means permanent loss of access to the hidden accounts. Learn more and decide at Ledger.com/start whether a passphrase suits your threat model.

Step 6 — Firmware updates and software hygiene

Firmware updates are released periodically to fix bugs and improve features. Apply updates only through Ledger Live and confirm every update on the device’s screen. Ledger.com/start links to official update guidance. Verify update prompts on-device before accepting — never allow a remote party to update your device for you.

Step 7 — Installing coin apps and managing accounts

Ledger devices use dedicated apps for different blockchains. Use Ledger Live (linked from Ledger.com/start) to install the apps you need, create accounts, and monitor balances. Only install apps from Ledger Live’s app catalog.

Step 8 — First transaction checklist

  1. Confirm the receive address on the device screen matches what Ledger Live shows.
  2. Send a small test amount before moving large sums.
  3. Confirm transaction details (amount, destination, fee) on the device before approval.

Common pitfalls — avoid these

  • Storing the recovery phrase digitally (e.g., photos, notes, cloud). Never do this.
  • Sharing seed words with anyone claiming to be support — Ledger or any legitimate provider will never ask for it.
  • Buying used devices from untrusted sellers (seed may be compromised).

Advanced custody options

For high-value holdings, consider multi-signature setups, distributed backups, air-gapped signing, or professional custody solutions. Ledger.com/start and Ledger Academy can help you learn about advanced options. If you choose advanced options, document your recovery and custody procedures securely and test them carefully before trusting them with large funds.

Pro tip: Keep a secure offline record of your device serial number, purchase proof, and the date you created the recovery phrase. This helps with warranty and support requests through legitimate Ledger channels listed at Ledger.com/start.

Support & troubleshooting

If you need help, use only the official support resources linked at Ledger.com/start or the Ledger support center. Avoid unsolicited advice or links from social media DMs. Ledger support will never ask for your recovery phrase or PIN. If anyone asks for those, it is a scam — stop and report it immediately.

Checklist before you go live

  1. Package authenticity verified.
  2. Ledger Live downloaded from Ledger.com/start.
  3. PIN set, recovery phrase written and stored securely.
  4. Firmware and Ledger Live updated.
  5. Small test transaction completed and confirmed on-device.

This page is sample content and not an official Ledger webpage. Always verify critical actions and downloads through the official domain Ledger.com/start.

Final words — why following Ledger.com/start matters

Consistently following the instructions available from Ledger.com/start and official Ledger resources keeps your setup atomic and auditable. The few minutes you spend verifying packaging, typing Ledger.com/start manually, using official Ledger Live downloads, writing down and securing the 24-word recovery phrase, and confirming every transaction on-device are the single highest-leverage actions for protecting your crypto. Your recovery phrase is the last line of defense — guard it physically and treat Ledger.com/start as your canonical setup starting point.

Again: this page is sample content and not a substitute for official Ledger documentation. Always verify instructions, downloads, and security advisories at the official domain: Ledger.com/start.