Ledger.com Start — Official setup guide to begin with Ledger

Ledger.com Start is the recommended first step for anyone who has just bought a Ledger hardware wallet or plans to secure digital assets. This official flow leads you to Ledger Live, the companion application for Ledger Nano X and Ledger Nano S Plus. Follow the steps below closely: download only from the official site, initialize your device safely, back up your recovery phrase offline, verify firmware signatures, and run a small test transfer. This guide explains each action and why it protects your funds.

Step 1 — Download Ledger Live from Ledger.com/start

Open Ledger.com/start. Select the installer for your operating system — Windows, macOS, Linux, Android or iOS. Avoid third-party download mirrors and never follow links from unsolicited emails. Where Ledger provides checksums or signatures, verify them to confirm file integrity. This prevents attackers from distributing modified installers that could capture sensitive data.

Step 2 — Initialize your Ledger device

After installing Ledger Live, connect your Ledger device using the supplied cable. Choose “Set up as new device” when prompted. Select a PIN that is not easily guessable — avoid common sequences and birthdays. Your device will display a 24-word recovery phrase; write it down exactly in the order shown on the device and place it in a secure offline location. Never store this phrase in a screenshot, cloud note, or text file. Consider using a metal seed backup product for maximum durability.

Step 3 — Firmware updates & address verification

Ledger Live verifies firmware signatures before applying updates. Only install firmware through Ledger Live and confirm prompts on the device itself. Before sending funds, always verify the receive address on your Ledger device screen — hardware wallets display addresses independently of the host computer, preventing host-level malware from substituting addresses.

Step 4 — Test with a small transfer

Once setup is complete, add an account in Ledger Live and perform a small test deposit from an exchange or another wallet. Confirm the on-chain transaction and check that the address in Ledger Live matches the address on your device. Small test transfers let you validate the full path before moving substantial funds.

Long-term storage & recovery planning

For long-term holdings, plan redundancy carefully: keep your seed in at least one secure, offline location separate from the device; consider geographic separation for recovery backups. For very large holdings, consider splitting backups securely or exploring multisig and professional custody solutions. Document a trusted recovery plan for heirs or executors without exposing the seed itself.

Following the Ledger.com Start flow and the steps above will dramatically reduce the most common onboarding risks. When in doubt, reach out to official Ledger support and avoid instructions from unverified sources.