Ledger.com/start | Ledger Setup Guide

A step-by-step presentation-style walkthrough for securely setting up your Ledger hardware wallet

Presenter: Ledger Setup Assistant
Duration: 12–18 min

Introduction

This guide walks you through safely setting up a Ledger hardware wallet using the official starting URL: Ledger.com/start. We'll cover unboxing, initial device setup, creating or restoring a wallet, using Ledger Live (the companion app), important security practices, and troubleshooting common issues. Follow these steps carefully — a hardware wallet protects your private keys offline, but mistakes during setup can compromise security.

Why use a hardware wallet?

  • Private keys are stored offline, reducing exposure to malware and phishing.
  • Transactions must be physically approved on the device, preventing remote tampering.
  • Compatible with many blockchains and wallets for flexible management.

Quick tip: Always start at Ledger.com/start (or the official Ledger support pages) for the latest official install files and instructions.

What you'll need

Before you begin, gather the following items and information:

  1. Your new Ledger device (Ledger Nano S Plus, Nano X, or newer model).
  2. Original box and accessories (USB cable or Bluetooth-capable device for Nano X).
  3. A computer or smartphone with internet access to visit Ledger.com/start and download Ledger Live.
  4. A secure, private place to write down the recovery phrase (paper, not digital). Ledger supplies a recovery sheet—use it.
  5. Time and attention — do not rush setup or perform it in public/wireless hotspots if possible.

Unboxing & first power

Inspect the physical packaging before opening. Authentic Ledger packaging is well sealed and includes the device, a USB cable, a lanyard, a recovery sheet, and quick start materials. If anything looks tampered with or missing, do not use the device — contact the seller or Ledger support.

First power-on

  1. Connect your Ledger to your computer or phone using the original cable.
  2. Press the device buttons (or the single button on some models) to power it on.
  3. The screen will prompt you to choose a PIN and then present a 24-word recovery phrase (some models offer 24 or 12 words; default is usually 24).
  4. Do not share the words with anyone and do not store them digitally (photos, screenshots, email).
Security note: Ledger technicians or official support will never ask for your recovery phrase. If asked, it's a scam.

Create a new wallet

Steps for creating a new wallet (fresh device):

  1. Set your PIN: Choose a strong 4–8 digit PIN. Avoid obvious sequences (e.g., 1234) and never write the PIN on the recovery sheet.
  2. Write down the recovery phrase: When the device displays the words, write them in order on the supplied recovery sheet. Double-check each word and its order.
  3. Confirm the phrase: The device may ask you to confirm by selecting specific words from the phrase — this verifies you recorded everything correctly.
  4. Install Ledger Live: Visit Ledger.com/start, download Ledger Live for your OS, install, and open the application.
  5. Pair with device in Ledger Live: Choose "Initialize as new device" then follow the on-screen prompts to connect and verify your device.

Choosing a PIN & physical security

The PIN guards local access to the device. Additionally, consider storing the device physically locked or in a safe if you are securing large amounts.

Restore from recovery

If you already have a recovery phrase from a previous hardware or software wallet, you can restore it to a new Ledger device:

  1. Power on the Ledger and choose "Restore configuration" (or similar) on the device screen.
  2. Choose the number of words (usually 24) and carefully enter each word in order using the device buttons.
  3. Set a new PIN when prompted. This PIN is local to the device and may differ from the previous device's PIN — the recovery phrase is the authoritative secret.
  4. Open Ledger Live and add the restored accounts by selecting the appropriate apps/protocols.

Important:

Restoring from a phrase gives the device full control over funds derived from that phrase. Only restore phrases you own. Never restore a phrase given to you by someone else unless you intend to have control over those funds.

Using Ledger Live

Ledger Live is the official companion application for managing accounts, checking balances, installing apps on your device, and making transactions.

Install and connect

  1. Download Ledger Live from Ledger.com/start. Verify the download source matches Ledger's official site.
  2. Run the installer and follow prompts. When prompted to connect your device, attach it and unlock with your PIN.
  3. Use the Manager tab in Ledger Live to install blockchain apps (e.g., Bitcoin, Ethereum) on the device. Each app uses device storage—install only the ones you need.

Sending and receiving funds

  1. To receive: Open an account in Ledger Live and click Receive. Copy the address, verify it on your device display (match the first/last characters!), then share that address to receive funds.
  2. To send: Create a transaction in Ledger Live; the device will display details and require physical confirmation to sign the transaction. Review amounts and destination carefully before approving.
Address verification: Always verify the address shown in Ledger Live against the address on your Ledger device screen. This guards against clipboard malware and remote attacks.

Security best practices

Recovery phrase handling

Online hygiene

Hardware safety: If your device is lost/stolen, use your recovery phrase to restore on a new device immediately. If you suspect compromise, move funds to a new wallet whose recovery phrase you control and stored securely.

Troubleshooting

Common issues & fixes

  1. Device not recognized: Try a different USB cable or port; ensure your computer's drivers are up to date. Restart the computer and device.
  2. Ledger Live connectivity errors: Confirm USB permissions (on Linux), and reinstall Ledger Live if necessary. Ensure your OS firewall isn't blocking connections.
  3. Forgotten PIN: If you forget the PIN, the only recovery option is to reset the device and restore with your recovery phrase. This erases the device's local state but not the funds on the blockchain.
  4. Missing funds visible in Ledger Live: Use the Advanced > Rescan options or add accounts manually for the correct derivation path if you used a nonstandard configuration.

When to contact support

Only use official Ledger support channels (link from Ledger.com). Avoid social media DMs; support will never ask for your recovery phrase.

FAQ & additional resources

FAQ

Can Ledger be hacked?
Ledger hardware itself is designed to keep private keys offline; however, phishing, social engineering, or compromised recovery phrases can lead to theft. Follow security guidance strictly.
Is the recovery phrase the same as a password?
No — it's a backup of your private keys. A password (PIN) protects local access; the recovery phrase rebuilds the wallet on a new device.
Can I use Ledger with other wallets?
Yes. Ledger supports integrations with third-party wallets (e.g., MetaMask, Electrum); these external wallets use Ledger to sign transactions without exposing private keys.

Further reading

Summary & next steps

You now have a complete walkthrough: unbox, set PIN, record recovery phrase securely, install Ledger Live, add apps/accounts, and follow security best practices. Next steps: practice with small transfers, consider a metal backup for long-term storage of your recovery phrase, and review firmware and Ledger Live updates periodically.

Quick action items

  1. Verify device authenticity and unbroken seal before use.
  2. Set a strong PIN and never share it.
  3. Write the recovery phrase on paper/metal and store securely.
  4. Always verify addresses on the device screen before approving transactions.