Ledger.com/start — A Practical, Security-First Guide (HTML)
The official onboarding path to initialize your Ledger hardware wallet safely. This guide walks you step-by-step through downloading Ledger Live, setting up your device, protecting your recovery phrase, updating firmware, and avoiding the common traps that lead to permanent loss.
Why start at Ledger.com/start?
Ledger.com/start is the canonical, verified entry point Ledger provides to get your hardware wallet up and running. It bundles the correct Ledger Live downloads, enforces firmware integrity checks, and guides you through onboarding steps that are intentionally conservative — because in crypto, small mistakes at setup become irreversible losses later. Consider it less like a “how-to” and more like a short ceremony: prepare once, protect forever.
Quick snapshot
- Duration: 10–25 minutes for careful first setup.
- Essentials: Ledger device (Nano X / Nano S Plus / Stax), trusted computer or phone, data-capable cable, pen, and a quiet place.
- Core outcomes: Ledger Live installed, device initialized, 24-word recovery phrase recorded offline, firmware verified.
Security headline
Ledger.com/start prevents common social-engineering and supply-chain attacks by ensuring you download only authenticated Ledger Live installers and by insisting critical confirmations happen physically on your device.
Step-by-step — Use Ledger.com/start the right way
1. Type the URL — don’t search
Phishing sites often rank for "ledger" searches. Manually enter ledger.com/start or use a trusted bookmark — never follow random links.
2. Download Ledger Live
Choose your OS (Windows/macOS/Linux/iOS/Android). The start page always serves the appropriate, signed installer — avoid mirrors or archived copies.
3. Install & verify
Install Ledger Live and, if prompted, the communication helper (Bridge) on desktop. Ledger Live will perform a firmware and app authenticity check when you connect a device.
4. Initialize the device
On the hardware, select "Create a new device" (unless restoring). Set a PIN directly on the device; do not type it on the computer.
5. Write your recovery phrase — physically
The device will display 24 words one at a time. Write them in order on the provided card or a metal backup. Never photograph or store them digitally.
6. Confirm & connect to Ledger Live
Confirm random words on-device when requested, then add accounts in Ledger Live. When sending funds, always verify the destination address on your device screen.
Security essentials
- Never type, photograph, or save your recovery phrase in any digital form.
- Verify firmware updates only via Ledger Live’s official prompts.
- Confirm every transaction address and amount on the physical device display.
- Prefer metal seed backups for long-term durability.
- Consider a passphrase only after you understand recovery implications (it creates a hidden wallet).
Pre-fund checklist
• Recovery phrase written and double-checked.
• Ledger Live installed from Ledger.com/start.
• Test receive with a small amount before transferring large balances.
• Addresses validated on-device.
Human stories — why this matters
People lose funds in crypto not because of complex hacks but from small human errors: copying a seed to cloud-synced notes, clicking a fake "Ledger Live" download, or buying a pre-initialized device from a third party. Ledger.com/start reduces the cognitive load at onboarding so that the safest path is also the easiest path. One disciplined setup today prevents a lifetime of regret.
Comparison — Ledger.com/start (official) vs third-party guides
Official source, signed installers, and direct support links.
May be helpful but often omit subtleties or link to outdated installers — risk of spoofed downloads exists.
Start page enforces firmware and authenticity checks; third parties may not highlight these steps clearly.
Troubleshooting — common problems & fixes
| Issue | Possible cause | Quick fix |
|---|---|---|
| Device not detected | USB cable bad or Bridge not installed | Use original cable, try another port, reinstall Bridge (desktop). |
| App reports "device not genuine" | Fake Ledger Live or compromised firmware | Disconnect, download only from Ledger.com/start, contact support. |
| Forgot PIN / locked device | Multiple wrong PIN attempts cause reset | Restore from the 24-word recovery phrase on a new device. |
| I photographed my seed — now what? | Seed stored in cloud / phone backups | Create a new wallet via Ledger.com/start, transfer funds, destroy digital copies, use metal backup. |
“Think of Ledger.com/start as a safety ritual: the one careful sequence you perform now that makes cyber threats irrelevant later.” — Security practitioner anecdote
Mini glossary — terms you'll see
Conclusion — make Ledger.com/start your habit
Visiting Ledger.com/start before you touch your Ledger device is the single most effective step to prevent permanent loss. The start flow stitches together verified installers, firmware checks, and on-device confirmations so that safety is baked into the process. Treat onboarding as an intentional ritual: set aside time, follow the official prompts, protect the 24-word seed offline, and validate everything on the device. Those deliberate minutes protect you from the irreversible realities of crypto.