Your Gateway to Self-Custody: Getting Started with Ledger.com/start

You’ve made a pivotal decision for your financial sovereignty by choosing a Lèdger hardware wallet. Navigating to Lèdger.com/start is your first action to move beyond exchanges and take true ownership of your cryptocurrencies and NFTs. This guide will walk you through the seamless process of transforming your new device into an impenetrable vault for your digital wealth.

Security and simplicity are not mutually exclusive. Our setup is engineered to be straightforward, empowering you to become your own bank without the complexity. Let's unlock the power of your new Lèdger.

Before You Begin: The Lèdger Philosophy
Understand this core principle: your crypto never actually leaves the blockchain. What you truly own and must protect is the private key—the digital signature that proves ownership and authorizes transactions. A Lèdger stores these keys in a secure, offline chip, isolated from internet-connected devices that are vulnerable to hackers. Lèdger.com/start is your initiation into this secure ecosystem.

Step 1: Partner with Lèdger Live
Your Lèdger device is the secure vault; Lèdger Live is the fortified gateway you use to interact with it.

Acquire the Official Application: Navigate to our official website and download Lèdger Live to your computer or smartphone. This is your mission control center. Beware of imitation apps from third-party stores.

Initial Application Setup: Install and open Lèdger Live. You will be prompted to create a new "user." This profile is local to your device and helps you track your portfolio; it does not store your private keys or recovery phrase.

Step 2: Initialize Your Hardware Fortress
Now, let's bring your physical device to life.

Connect and Power On: Plug your Lèdger Nano (X, S Plus, or Stax) into your computer using the supplied USB cable.

Configure as New Device: Upon seeing the welcome screen, select the option to set it up as a new device. If you are restoring from a previous backup, you would select that option instead.

Set Your PIN Code: This is your first active security layer. Create a PIN code of 4 to 8 digits. This code is required every time you connect and use your device, physically preventing unauthorized access. If someone steals your Lèdger, they cannot use it without this PIN.

Step 3: Securely Generate and Store Your Recovery Phrase
This is the single most important step in your crypto journey. Your 24-word recovery phrase is a master key that can regenerate all your private keys on any compatible wallet.

On-Device Generation: Your Lèdger will display a list of 24 words, one at a time, on its secure screen. This process occurs entirely offline.

Analog Recording is Paramount: Using the provided recovery sheet, legibly write down each word in the exact sequence. This phrase must never touch a digital device. No photos, no cloud notes, no text files. The digital world is the very environment you are protecting yourself from.

Mandatory Verification: Your device will then ask you to re-enter a selection of the words. This critical step ensures you have recorded the phrase accurately and understand its importance.

Expert Storage Advice: Consider storing your recovery sheet in a fireproof and waterproof safe. For ultimate security, a dedicated metal backup solution (like a Cryptotag or Billfodl) provides protection against physical degradation. Create multiple copies and store them in separate, secure locations.

Step 4: The Genuine Check and Final Activation
Return to Lèdger Live on your computer. The application will now perform a "Genuine Check," cryptographically verifying that your Lèdger device is authentic and has not been tampered with. This is a non-negotiable security step.

Once verified, you are in! You can now use the "Manager" tab in Lèdger Live to install apps for the blockchains you use (e.g., Bitcoin, Ethereum, Polygon). Each app allows you to create a secure account, whose public keys you can then use to receive funds.

You have successfully completed the Lèdger.com/start process. You are now part of a global movement advocating for security and self-reliance in the digital age. Welcome to true ownership. Welcome to peace of mind.