Ledger.com/Start® — Starting Up Your Device

Official getting-started landing guide: safe initialization, backup, and everyday use.
Verify downloads • Protect recovery material • Approve on-device

Welcome — a concise path to a secure setup

This guide walks you through the Ledger.com/Start® flow: unboxing, verifying authenticity, installing Ledger Live (desktop/mobile), initializing your device, creating and protecting your recovery phrase, performing a first test transaction, and following security best practices that keep your crypto safe. It is written as a practical landing page you can save, print, or refer to while you set up your Ledger device.

Open Ledger.com/Start Download Ledger Live

1. Unboxing & authenticity checks

Start by inspecting the packaging for tamper evidence. Ledger devices from the official shop should arrive sealed and intact. If packaging appears altered, contact Ledger immediately and do not connect the device. Purchase only from shop.ledger.com or authorized resellers to minimize supply-chain risks.

What to look for

  • Official Ledger packaging and accessories (USB cable, quick-start card).
  • No visible tampering or unexpected third-party additions.
  • Order confirmation that matches the device model you purchased.

2. Download Ledger Live & verify

Ledger Live is the official companion app for desktop and mobile that manages accounts, transactions, app installs, and firmware updates for your device. Download only from the official Ledger Live page. When possible, verify checksums/signatures for high-assurance setups.

Tip: Bookmark the Ledger Live download page after installing so future updates are easy and phishing risk is reduced.

Useful links

Ledger Live — Download Ledger.com/Start

3. Initialize your Ledger device — step-by-step

  1. Open Ledger Live and choose “Get started” then follow the Start flow.
  2. Connect your Ledger device using the supplied cable and confirm the device screen is on and untampered.
  3. Create a new wallet (recommended for new users) or recover an existing wallet if migrating.
  4. Write down your recovery phrase exactly as displayed. Use the provided recovery sheet or a robust metal backup for long-term storage.
  5. Set a device PIN — a short numeric code required to unlock the device.
  6. Install apps via Ledger Live for the coins you want to manage (each coin uses a dedicated on-device app).

Recovery phrase (seed) rules — non-negotiable

  • Never enter the recovery phrase into a website or share it with anyone.
  • Do not take photographs or store the phrase digitally.
  • Consider at least one geographically separate offline backup if you need redundancy.

4. Perform a low-value test transaction

After setup, conduct a receive-and-send test using a small amount. This confirms address generation, network selection, and signing workflows. Always verify that the receiving address shown in Ledger Live matches the address shown on your Ledger device screen before sharing it.

Transaction safety checklist

  • Verify recipient address on the device display.
  • Confirm the amount and network before approving.
  • Use small test amounts before large transfers.

5. Firmware & app updates

Ledger periodically releases signed firmware and app updates. Ledger Live will prompt you when updates are available — apply them only from Ledger Live or the official site. Never accept updates from unverified sources.

When updates fail

If an update fails, do not panic. Retry the official update flow, try a different USB cable or port, or consult Ledger Support. Avoid third-party “repair” instructions that ask for your seed.

6. Troubleshooting common issues

Many connection issues stem from faulty cables, blocked USB ports, or outdated software. If the device is not detected, try a different cable, another port, or a different computer. Ensure Ledger Live and Bridge (if required) are up to date.

Quick fixes

  • Switch USB cable/port.
  • Restart Ledger Live and the host computer.
  • Install or restart Ledger Bridge for web connectivity (if using web flows).
  • Consult official Support if the problem persists.

7. Advanced workflows & best practices

Advanced users can use passphrase-protected hidden wallets, PSBT (Partially Signed Bitcoin Transactions) for air-gapped signing, integrate with full nodes, or set up multi-signature schemes. Each of these adds security but also operational complexity — document your processes and test recovery steps safely before moving significant funds.

Passphrase caution

A passphrase adds another secret to your wallet (creating hidden wallets). It increases privacy and security but makes recovery conditional on remembering the passphrase — losing it means losing funds in that hidden wallet.

8. Ten official links to bookmark

Use only these official resources for downloads, support, documentation, and verification:

Ledger.com/Start — Start & Download Ledger Live — Desktop & Mobile Support Center Official Shop Ledger Learn — Guides Developers & Docs Service Status Ledger Blog Help Articles Contact & Legal

9. Practical security checklist — do this every time

  • Download software only from official Ledger domains.
  • Keep firmware and Ledger Live updated.
  • Always verify addresses on the physical device display.
  • Store recovery backups offline and treat them as highly sensitive.
  • Use passphrase and multi-sig only if you understand full recovery consequences.

Prepared as a practical, landing-style companion for Ledger.com/Start®. For device-specific problems or account recovery, always use the official Support link above.