Clear, secure, and practical steps to start using your Ledger device safely. This short presentation covers the essential first steps, security mindset, and resources to continue learning.
Welcome to the Official Site® guide for Ledger.com/Start® — Getting started. This guide gives you clear, practical next steps so you can set up your hardware wallet, understand security basics, and access official resources. Whether you’re new to hardware wallets or refreshing your approach, these fundamentals will help you keep crypto private keys safe while maintaining easy access to the assets you control.
Check package integrity, confirm authenticity, and keep the seed offline.
Start by inspecting the Ledger package: factory seals should be intact, and the device should match photos from Ledger’s official pages. Power the device and follow the on-screen prompts. Ledger devices require you to create a PIN and record a recovery phrase (sometimes called a seed phrase). Never type the recovery phrase into a computer or phone; write it on the provided card and store it offline. Ledger never asks for your full recovery phrase online — treat it like the key to a safe deposit box.
Ledger Live is the official desktop/mobile companion to manage accounts and apps.
Download Ledger Live from Ledger’s official Download pages and follow the installation steps. Inside Ledger Live you add cryptocurrency accounts and install supported apps to the device. Ledger Live performs software checks and firmware updates; always use only the official Ledger Live app and official downloads. After connecting your device, confirm any prompts that appear on the device’s screen — the device itself is the source of truth.
Adopt a security-first mindset: physical, digital, and social safeguards.
Keep the recovery phrase offline, enable a PIN, use a passphrase only if you understand it, and never share sensitive device screens or recovery words. Beware social engineering: attackers often impersonate support. Ledger employees will never ask for your recovery phrase. Use official channels for support and double-check URLs before visiting. For additional safety, consider storing the recovery phrase in multiple secure physical locations and using fireproof/waterproof backup solutions.
Verify addresses on your device and confirm every transaction on the device screen.
When receiving funds, always verify the address both in Ledger Live and on the device’s screen — hardware confirmation prevents malicious host software from substituting addresses. When sending, review amounts and destination addresses carefully and confirm on the device. If an app requests unusual permissions or behavior, pause and verify via Ledger support or official documentation before proceeding.
Keep firmware and Ledger Live up to date, using official update flows.
Ledger releases firmware updates to improve security and functionality. Always apply updates through Ledger Live following on-screen device prompts. If you lose access or face errors, consult official recovery procedures: the recovery phrase can restore your accounts to a new Ledger device or compatible wallet. Use Ledger’s verified troubleshooting resources before trying third-party fixes.
Official knowledge bases, academy articles, and support guides will keep you informed.
Continuous learning is important. Use official documentation and Ledger’s Academy to understand advanced topics such as passphrases, multisig setups, and using third-party wallets with your Ledger device. If you plan to use decentralized finance (DeFi) or non-fungible tokens (NFTs), read integration guides to avoid pitfalls and unsafe dapps.
Keep this checklist handy for future reference.
Use only the official pages below for downloads, support, and guides.
Start carefully, learn continuously, and use official resources.
Take a moment to complete the quick checklist, install Ledger Live, and bookmark the official support and academy resources above. If anything feels uncertain, stop and consult the official pages before proceeding. Security is a habit — small steps taken consistently make a big difference in protecting your cryptocurrency over time. Safe setup, and welcome to owning your keys.