Welcome to Your Crypto Journey: A Guide to Ledger.com/start
Congratulations on taking a crucial step towards securing your digital assets. You've acquired a Ledger hardware wallet, the world's most trusted tool for self-custody. This page, your official starting point via Ledger.com/start, is designed to guide you through the simple yet vital process of setting up your new device. Think of this as the foundational chapter in your new, secure crypto life.
We understand that navigating new technology can be daunting. That’s why we’ve streamlined the setup into a clear, step-by-step process. By following this guide, you will transition from unboxing your device to being fully protected in less than 20 minutes. Let's begin.
Phase 1: Unboxing and Initial Inspection
Before we power on your device, let's ensure everything is in order. Your Ledger box should contain:
- Your Ledger Nano device (S Plus, X, or Stax).
- A USB-C cable.
- Three recovery sheets for writing down your 24-word recovery phrase.
- A keychain strap for portability.
Carefully inspect the device's screen and packaging for any signs of tampering. Your Ledger is designed to be secure from the factory, and this visual check is your first line of defense.
Phase 2: The Crucial Software Handshake - Ledger Live
Your Ledger hardware wallet works in tandem with a powerful application called Ledger Live. This is the interface where you will manage your portfolio, buy/sell/swap assets, and connect to decentralized applications—all while your private keys remain safely offline within your device.
Download Ledger Live: Never use a third-party link. Always go directly to the official Ledger website to download Ledger Live for your desktop or mobile device. This ensures you are getting the genuine, secure software.
Create a Ledger Live Account: Open the application and follow the prompts to create a new account. This account manages your portfolio view and preferences, but it does not hold your crypto—that’s the job of your hardware wallet.
Phase 3: The Heart of Security - Device Setup
Now, connect your Ledger device using the provided USB cable.
- Initialize as New Device: Your device will prompt you to "Configure as new device." Select this option.
Choose Your PIN: You will be asked to set a PIN code. This code protects your device physically. Choose one that is complex enough that others cannot guess it, but that you will remember. Anyone with physical access to your device must know this PIN to access it.
The Most Important Step: Your Recovery Phrase: Your device will now generate a unique list of 24 words, known as your Recovery Phrase (or seed phrase). This is the master key to your entire crypto portfolio.
Critical Security Protocol for Your Recovery Phrase:
Write it Down Manually: Use the provided recovery sheet to write down each word, in the exact order it appears on the device screen. Never, ever type it into a computer, phone, or take a digital photo of it.
Verify the Words: Your Ledger device will then ask you to confirm several words from the list. This ensures you have written them down correctly.
- Store it Securely: Keep this sheet in a safe, secret, and durable place—like a fireproof safe or a safety deposit box. Losing this phrase means losing access to your funds forever.
Phase 4: Finalizing Your Setup
With your device secured, return to Ledger Live. The application will guide you through a "Genuine Check" to verify the authenticity of your Ledger. Once confirmed, you are ready to install apps for the specific cryptocurrencies you own (e.g., Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana) and then add accounts for those coins.
From here, you can receive your first crypto by using the "Receive" function in Ledger Live, which will prompt your device to verify and confirm the receiving address on its secure screen.
You have now successfully navigated Ledger.com/start. You are no longer a beginner; you are a secure, self-sovereign participant in the world of digital assets. Welcome to the Ledger family. Your crypto is now in the safest hands possible—your own.