Welcome to Ledger Start
Ledger.com/start is the official starting point for setting up your Ledger hardware wallet and securing your digital assets with industry-leading protection. When you own cryptocurrency, the most important thing you can do is secure your private keys. Your private keys are what give you ownership and control over your crypto. If they are exposed, stolen, or lost, your assets can disappear instantly. Ledger provides a powerful solution by storing your private keys offline, inside a secure hardware device that you control. This guide explains everything you need to know to begin your Ledger journey safely and confidently.
A Ledger hardware wallet ensures that your digital assets remain protected even when your computer or phone is compromised. By completing this guide step by step, you will learn how to initialize your device, generate and store your recovery phrase, install Ledger Live, manage multiple cryptocurrencies, verify addresses, send and receive transactions, and interact with Web3—all without putting your private keys at risk. Whether you are new to crypto or simply taking control of your long-term investments, Ledger Start is your foundation for secure digital ownership.
Why a Ledger Hardware Wallet Matters
With a Ledger hardware wallet, your private keys are generated and stored in a secure, offline environment called a Secure Element. This chip is designed to resist physical tampering, remote hacking, and unauthorized access. Unlike software wallets or online custodial services, Ledger never exposes your keys to the internet, meaning hackers cannot access them.
Ledger devices also require physical confirmation of all transactions. If malware infects your computer and attempts to send crypto from your wallet, the transaction will still fail unless you physically approve it on the device itself. This is why Ledger hardware wallets are widely considered one of the safest ways to store crypto long-term.
In addition to top-tier security, Ledger supports thousands of cryptocurrencies and tokens across numerous blockchains. You can manage Bitcoin, Ethereum, stablecoins, DeFi tokens, NFTs, and more—all from one secure app.
What You Need Before You Start
To complete your Ledger setup, you will need:
Your Ledger hardware device (Nano X, Nano S Plus, or Stax)
A computer or smartphone
A secure internet connection
A pen
A quiet, private area to write your 24-word recovery phrase
A secure storage solution for your written recovery phrase
Your recovery phrase is the most important component of your crypto security. It is the single backup to your wallet. If your Ledger device is lost, damaged, or stolen, you can restore your entire wallet using your 24 words.
If you lose the recovery phrase, your assets cannot be recovered.
If someone else gets your recovery phrase, they can steal everything.
For this reason, always keep it offline, private, and protected.
Step 1: Unbox and Verify Your Ledger Device
Inside your Ledger box, you should find:
The Ledger hardware wallet
A USB cable if your model requires one
Blank recovery phrase cards
Quick-start materials
Ledger devices do not come with a prewritten recovery phrase. A prefilled recovery card is a red flag that the device has been tampered with. Your 24 words must be generated by the device itself during setup. If you receive anything unusual, stop immediately and contact support.
Step 2: Turn On Your Device and Set a PIN
Power on your Ledger device using the buttons on the unit. You will be asked to choose a PIN code. This PIN unlocks your Ledger each time you use it. Choose a PIN that is secure and not easy to guess.
Your PIN keeps your device protected even if someone else gets physical access to it. Avoid using predictable numbers, birthdays, or repeating sequences. Memorize your PIN and keep it private.
Step 3: Write Down Your 24-Word Recovery Phrase
Once you create your PIN, the device will display your 24-word recovery phrase one word at a time. Write each word down on the provided recovery sheet in the exact order. Take your time to ensure accuracy.
This phrase must remain:
Private
Offline
Stored securely
Never photographed or typed
Do not store your recovery phrase on your phone, laptop, cloud storage, email, or messaging apps. These locations can be hacked. Write your words on paper or use a metal storage plate for long-term durability.
No support agent, company, website, or app should ever ask for your 24 words. Anyone requesting them is attempting fraud.
Step 4: Download and Install Ledger Live
Ledger Live is the official application used to manage your hardware device. Through Ledger Live, you can:
Install cryptocurrency apps
Create and manage accounts
Send and receive assets
View your portfolio in real time
Swap or stake supported coins
Manage NFTs
Install firmware updates
Download Ledger Live only from official Ledger sources to avoid malicious software. Once installed, open the app and follow the instructions to continue your setup.
Step 5: Connect Your Ledger and Verify It
When you connect your Ledger to Ledger Live, the app will perform a genuine check. This ensures that the device is authentic and securely initialized. The checks are done within Ledger Live and your hardware wallet to protect you from counterfeit products.
Follow the instructions displayed on Ledger Live and your Ledger device. After verification, you can proceed to install cryptocurrency apps.
Step 6: Install Crypto Apps on the Device
Ledger uses individual apps to communicate with different blockchains. For example:
Bitcoin requires the Bitcoin app
Ethereum requires the Ethereum app
Solana requires the Solana app
Polygon, Avalanche, Cardano, and others each have their own apps
You can install or uninstall apps without risking your funds. The apps simply allow your Ledger to interact with different blockchains. Your crypto remains linked to your recovery phrase, not to the apps installed.
Step 7: Add Accounts in Ledger Live
After installing apps, you will need to create accounts in Ledger Live to view and manage your assets.
To add an account:
Open Ledger Live
Navigate to “Accounts”
Select “Add Account”
Choose your cryptocurrency
Confirm actions on your Ledger device
Creating an account allows Ledger Live to display balances, track transactions, and generate receive addresses.
Step 8: Receive Crypto Safely
To receive crypto:
Select the account for your asset in Ledger Live
Click “Receive”
Copy the address displayed
Confirm the address on your Ledger device screen
Always verify the address on your Ledger device. If the address displayed on your computer is different from what appears on the device, you may be facing a malware attack. Only trust the device screen.
Step 9: Send Crypto with Complete Security
Sending crypto requires approval in both Ledger Live and on your Ledger hardware device. Enter the amount and destination address in Ledger Live, and then confirm the transaction physically on your Ledger.
This two-step process ensures that no unauthorized transaction can occur behind your back. Even a compromised computer cannot bypass the hardware confirmation step.
Using Advanced Ledger Features
Ledger Live offers several advanced features through trusted partners, including:
Buying crypto
Swapping between assets
Staking supported coins
Managing NFTs
Connecting to Web3 apps and DeFi platforms
Throughout all these activities, your private keys never leave your hardware wallet.
Long-Term Security Best Practices
To maintain maximum protection:
Keep your recovery phrase offline and hidden
Never share your 24 words
Bookmark official Ledger websites
Beware of fake support agents or phishing emails
Update Ledger Live and device firmware regularly
Store your Ledger device in a secure location
Verify every transaction on your device screen
Good habits ensure enduring protection.
Restoring Your Wallet
If your device is ever lost, stolen, or damaged, you can restore your wallet on a new Ledger device by selecting “Restore from Recovery Phrase” and entering your 24 words. This regenerates your entire wallet.
Perform this in a private environment with no cameras or observers.
You Are Ready to Begin
You now have the knowledge needed to set up and use your Ledger hardware wallet confidently. By securing your recovery phrase, verifying your device, installing Ledger Live, and understanding how to send and receive crypto safely, you have taken full control of your digital assets. Your hardware wallet provides durable, long-term protection and gives you complete ownership over your crypto future.