Ledger.com/start — Begin Your Secure Crypto Journey

🛡️ Ledger Start® | The Official and Essential Guide to Setting Up Your Ledger Device

This comprehensive guide will walk you through the secure and efficient setup of your new Ledger hardware wallet, ensuring your digital assets are protected from the moment you start.¹ The Ledger device is a cornerstone of self-custody in the crypto world, acting as a secure "signer" that keeps your private keys offline and safe from hackers and malware.² Following these steps precisely is paramount to maximizing the security benefits of the device.³

Phase 1: Preparation and Software Installation

Before you even connect your Ledger device, proper preparation is critical for a smooth and secure initialization process.⁴

1. Gather Your Materials

Ensure you have all the necessary components from your Ledger box and a secure physical environment.

• Your Ledger Hardware Wallet: This will typically be a Ledger Nano S Plus or Ledger Nano X.⁵
• USB Cable: The one supplied in the box, essential for connecting to your computer.⁶
• Recovery Sheet: The blank card provided to manually write down your Secret Recovery Phrase.⁷
• Pen or Pencil: A reliable writing tool for the most critical step of the entire process.
• Computer or Smartphone: A device with a stable internet connection for downloading and using Ledger Live.⁸

2. Download and Install Ledger Live⁹

Ledger Live is the official all-in-one companion application used to manage your device, install crypto applications, and view your accounts.¹⁰ Crucially, only download Ledger Live from the official Ledger website.¹¹ Downloading from unverified sources is a major security risk, as malicious versions can compromise your setup.

• Navigate to the official Ledger website's download page.¹²
• Select the correct version for your operating system (Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, or Android).
• Download and install the software.¹³
• Open the Ledger Live application.¹⁴ The interface will guide you through the initial setup process, which begins with a welcome screen.¹⁵

Phase 2: Device Initialization and Security Configuration

This is the most critical phase. You will initialize your device, set your personal security credentials, and most importantly, record your Secret Recovery Phrase.¹⁶

3. Connect and Begin Setup

• Connect your Ledger device to your computer using the supplied USB cable.¹⁷ The device screen should illuminate and display a welcome message, such as "Welcome to Ledger Nano [Device Name]."¹⁸
• Use the physical buttons on the device to navigate through the on-screen instructions.¹⁹ Pressing the left or right button cycles through options, and pressing both buttons simultaneously selects an option.²⁰
• On the device, scroll until you see the option to "Set up as new device" and select it by pressing both buttons.²¹ If your device immediately asks for a PIN or shows a pre-written recovery phrase, stop immediately and contact Ledger Support.²² This is a sign the device may have been tampered with.

4. Choose Your PIN Code

The PIN code is a 4 to 8-digit number that unlocks your device whenever you want to use it.²³

• Select the option to "Choose PIN code" on the device.²⁴
• Use the buttons to select your desired digits.²⁵ Pressing both buttons confirms a digit and moves to the next.²⁶
• An 8-digit PIN offers the best balance of security and convenience.²⁷
• After entering your full PIN, select the checkmark (²⁸$\checkmark$) and confirm.²⁹
• You will be asked to re-enter the PIN once more for confirmation.³⁰ Remember this PIN, but do not write it on the recovery sheet or store it digitally.

5. Write Down Your Secret Recovery Phrase (Seed Phrase)

This 24-word phrase is the only backup of your private keys.³¹ Loss of this phrase means permanent loss of your funds if your device is damaged or lost. Compromise of this phrase means anyone who possesses it can steal your funds.³²

• The device screen will display the words one by one, starting with Word #1.³³
• Take your physical Recovery Sheet and a pen.³⁴ Write down each word precisely in its corresponding numerical position.³⁵ Spelling and order must be exact.
• After writing down each word, press the right button to proceed to the next word.³⁶
• Repeat this process until you have written all 24 words.³⁷ The device will only display this phrase once.³⁸
• Upon completion, the device will prompt you to Confirm your recovery phrase.³⁹ It will ask you to verify specific words (e.g., "Word #12") by scrolling through a list of possible words.⁴⁰
• Navigate to the correct word and confirm it with both buttons.⁴¹ Repeat this for all requested words.
• Once the confirmation is successful, the device will display "Your device is now ready."⁴²

Phase 3: Pairing with Ledger Live and Finalizing Setup

With the device initialized, the next steps involve connecting it to the Ledger Live application and preparing it for transaction management.

6. Complete the Genuine Check

Ledger Live performs a cryptographic check to verify that your device is genuine and has not been compromised.⁴³

• In the Ledger Live application, click through the final steps until you reach the "Genuine Check" section.⁴⁴
• Click "Check my Nano" (or similar prompt).
• Your Ledger device will display a prompt asking to "Allow Ledger Manager" or similar access.⁴⁵ Press both buttons simultaneously to confirm.⁴⁶
• Ledger Live will communicate with Ledger's secure server. Once complete, you will see a message confirming: "All Good! Your Ledger device is genuine."

7. Install Cryptocurrency Applications

Ledger devices use a modular approach, requiring a small application for each cryptocurrency you wish to manage.⁴⁷

• In Ledger Live, navigate to the "Manager" section (often represented by an icon).⁴⁸
• Connect and unlock your Ledger device with your PIN.⁴⁹
• The Manager screen will show a catalog of available applications.⁵⁰
• Find the applications for the crypto assets you plan to use (e.g., Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana).⁵¹
• Click "Install" next to the desired application.⁵² The app will download and install directly onto your physical Ledger device.

8. Add Accounts

The final step is to create an account in Ledger Live for each installed crypto app.⁵³ This allows Ledger Live to scan the blockchain and display your balances.

• In Ledger Live, navigate to the "Accounts" section.
• Click "Add Account".
• Select the cryptocurrency you want to add (e.g., Bitcoin).⁵⁴
• Ledger Live will prompt you to open the corresponding application on your physical Ledger device.
• Once the app is open on your device, Ledger Live will automatically scan the blockchain and propose accounts.
• Give your new account a descriptive name (e.g., "Main Bitcoin Savings").
• Click "Add Account" to finalize the process.⁵⁵

Your Ledger device is now fully set up and ready to use.⁵⁶ You can now navigate to your accounts in Ledger Live, click "Receive," and view your public address to securely send cryptocurrency from an exchange or another wallet to your new cold storage solution.⁵⁷

Essential Security Reminders

The physical safety of your Secret Recovery Phrase is the primary factor in securing your assets. Adhere to these principles without exception:

• Keep it Offline: The 24-word phrase must never be stored on a computer, phone, cloud service, or as a photo.⁵⁸ Keep it strictly on the physical paper sheet.
• Keep it Private: Never share your Secret Recovery Phrase with anyone, under any circumstances, including Ledger support staff.⁵⁹ Ledger will never ask for your phrase.
• Keep it Safe: Store the physical Recovery Sheet in a highly secure, private location, such as a fireproof safe, safe deposit box, or other secure storage container.
• Device PIN vs. Recovery Phrase: Understand the difference. Your PIN unlocks the device for everyday use.⁶⁰ Your Secret Recovery Phrase is the master key to your funds, used only for restoring access if your Ledger device is lost or destroyed.⁶¹

By meticulously following this official guide, you have taken the necessary steps to secure your digital wealth with one of the most trusted hardware wallets available.