Welcome to your guide for Starting® Up® Your® Device® via Ledger.com/start®. If you have just purchased a Ledger hardware wallet, or you intend to set up a brand-new device, this content will walk you through every essential step. From unpacking to securing and activating your Ledger device, every phase is crafted to make your experience smooth, secure, and successful.
Ledger.com/start® is an official web portal by Ledger that guides users in initializing their Ledger hardware device. It contains instructions, software downloads, verification steps, and security checks. When you go through Ledger.com/start®, you ensure that your device is genuine, your firmware is up to date, and that your seed phrase is safely created and stored.
Using genuine Ledger hardware ensures the following benefits:
Carefully open the package. Verify that the seal, packaging materials, and the device itself show no signs of tampering. Your Ledger device should include a USB (or USB-C) cable, recovery sheet, and quick start cards. If anything seems wrong, stop and contact Ledger support.
Go to Ledger.com/start using a secure browser. Do not use links from unknown sources. Once there, select your specific Ledger device model, download Ledger Live software compatible with your operating system (Windows, macOS, Linux, or mobile), and follow the prompt for firmware validation.
Open Ledger Live and connect your device. Follow the on‑screen instructions to install any firmware updates. Then create a strong PIN (at least 8 digits, avoid obvious sequences). This PIN locks your device every time you access it.
The device will produce a recovery phrase, sometimes called a seed phrase or mnemonic. Write down all words exactly in order on the provided recovery sheet. Keep it in a safe place. Never share it or store it digitally in an unsecured location. This phrase allows you to recover your cryptocurrency in case you lose your device.
After setup, open Ledger Live, add the cryptocurrency accounts you want (Bitcoin, Ethereum, etc.), and follow instructions to receive or transfer funds. Make sure your address begins correctly and always verify address on the device screen to prevent phishing attempts.
Only trust the packaging supplied by Ledger, inspect holograms and tamper‑evident seals. On the first connection to Ledger Live, the device may ask you to verify authenticity of firmware. Complete that step fully.
Ensure your computer or smartphone doesn’t have malware. Do not install sketchy third‑party wallets that ask for your recovery phrase. Always download Ledger Live from the official site via Ledger.com/start®.
Ledger Live, device firmware, and even your operating system should be kept current. Ledger issues security updates to respond to new threats. Delay in updating may expose you to vulnerabilities.
Your recovery phrase is the single & only backup of your keys. Store it offline. Consider using metal plates meant for crypto seed storage. Avoid photos or text files stored in cloud or mobile devices.
If the device is not recognized by Ledger Live, try a different USB cable or port. Ensure the cable supports data (not a charge‑only cable). Restart both Ledger device and computer. Also verify the OS drivers are installed.
If firmware installation fails, do not disconnect. Close Ledger Live, restart the software, and try again. If error persists, consult the support pages on Ledger.com/start® for error codes and solutions.
If you believe you've written the recovery phrase incorrectly, do *not* set up new wallets before confirming. You can reset the device (factory reset), then restart the setup via Ledger.com/start®, generate a new recovery phrase, and ensure accuracy.
If you forget your PIN, you must reset your device. That erases all data on the device. Use your recovery phrase to restore your accounts. Always ensure your recovery phrase is stored safely before needing this.
Ledger.com/start® is the official guide and portal to begin setting up your Ledger hardware device, downloading firmware, verifying authenticity, and starting with best practices. Ledger Live is the companion software/app where you manage your cryptocurrency accounts, perform transactions, and monitor portfolio after setup.
Yes. If you have your recovery phrase (seed phrase) safely stored, you can restore your wallets on a new Ledger device (or compatible wallet) by entering the recovery phrase. Without the recovery phrase, access to funds will be permanently lost.
No. Your recovery phrase is never stored by Ledger or online. It is generated only on your device. It is your responsibility to keep it safe and private. Ledger cannot retrieve it for you if lost.
You should check for firmware updates whenever notified by Ledger Live or when you log in to the Ledger.com/start® portal. Typically firmware updates happen every few months, depending on security cycles or feature releases.
If you observe that the packaging seal is broken, or the device looks damaged or altered, do not use it. Contact Ledger support immediately through official channels. For safety, start your setup only after confirming device integrity via documentation on Ledger.com/start®.