Ledger Start® – Get Started with Your Ledger Hardware Wallet (Full Guide)
Your complete step-by-step walkthrough for initializing and securing your Ledger Nano S Plus, Nano X, or Ledger Stax.
Securing your cryptocurrency begins with choosing a reliable hardware wallet—and Ledger is one of the most trusted names in crypto security. Whether you’re unboxing your Ledger device for the first time or simply refreshing your knowledge, Ledger Start® is the official route to set up your wallet properly and safely.
This comprehensive guide will take you through every stage of the initialization process—from unboxing your device, installing Ledger Live, setting up your PIN and recovery phrase, to managing your digital assets confidently.
What Is Ledger Start®?
Ledger Start® refers to the official initialization process provided by Ledger for setting up your hardware wallet. It ensures:
✔ You follow the correct setup steps
✔ You download Ledger Live only from official sources
✔ You learn wallet security best practices
✔ Your device is genuine and secure
Whether you own a Ledger Nano S Plus, Ledger Nano X, or Ledger Stax, Ledger Start® prepares you to use your device safely and efficiently.
Why Proper Setup Matters
Ledger hardware wallets are designed for cold storage, keeping your private keys offline and protected. But to get this level of security, you must set up the device correctly.
Setting up through the official process helps you avoid:
Fake Ledger apps
Phishing websites
Compromised seed generation
Firmware tampering
Loss of access due to poor backup practices
Taking a few extra minutes to set up your device properly protects your crypto for years.
Step-by-Step: Getting Started with Your Ledger Hardware Wallet
1. Unbox Your Ledger Device
Inside the box, you should find:
Ledger hardware wallet
USB cable (USB-C or Micro USB depending on model)
Recovery phrase (Secret Recovery Sheet)
Instruction materials
Keychain accessories (depending on model)
Ledger does not ship devices with pre-written recovery phrases. If a recovery sheet includes words already printed, stop immediately—it’s a scam.
2. Download Ledger Live (Official App)
Ledger Live is the official desktop and mobile app used to initialize and manage your Ledger Hardware Wallet.
Download it from the official Ledger website only:
Desktop: Windows, macOS, Linux
Mobile: Android and iOS
Never download Ledger Live from unknown websites, ads, or third-party sources.
After installing, open Ledger Live and select:
“Get Started with Your Ledger Device”
3. Connect Your Ledger Device
Using the included USB cable:
Plug your Ledger Nano / Stax into your computer or smartphone
Follow the Ledger Live prompts
Select your specific device model
Ledger Live will detect your device and automatically guide you through setup.
4. Set Up as a New Device
When prompted, select:
“Set Up as New Device”
This ensures the device creates brand-new private keys internally.
You will now be guided to:
5. Choose & Confirm Your PIN Code
Your PIN code locks the device.
Best practices:
Use 6–8 digits
Avoid obvious combinations (e.g., birthdays, “123456”)
Memorize it—do not store it digitally
If you enter the wrong PIN too many times, the device wipes itself for security purposes.
6. Write Down Your 24-Word Recovery Phrase
Ledger will generate a unique 24-word recovery phrase directly on the device screen.
This phrase is the only backup of your private keys.
IMPORTANT:
Write down all 24 words in order
Use the official recovery sheet or another offline medium
Double-check spelling
Store multiple physical copies in secure locations
NEVER:
Take photos of your recovery phrase
Save it on your phone or computer
Type it into websites or apps
Share it with anyone
Your recovery phrase can be used to fully restore your wallet if:
Your Ledger is lost
Your Ledger is stolen
Your Ledger is damaged
You upgrade to a new Ledger device
7. Go Through the Genuine Check
Ledger Live will verify whether your Ledger device is authentic.
This protects you against:
Fake hardware wallets
Modified devices
Tampered firmware
Once passed, you can proceed confidently knowing your device is legitimate.
8. Secure Your Ledger Device
Ledger Live will guide you to secure your device by reviewing:
PIN security
Recovery phrase protection
Device backup confirmation
Physical device care tips
Taking time here reinforces long-term crypto safety.
9. Install Apps for Each Cryptocurrency
Each cryptocurrency requires a dedicated app on your Ledger device.
Examples include:
Bitcoin App
Ethereum App
Solana App
Ripple (XRP) App
Cardano App
Polkadot App
USDT / USDC (ERC-20 & others)
You can install these via Ledger Live under:
“My Ledger” → “Apps Catalog”
10. Add Accounts in Ledger Live
Now you can add crypto accounts to your Ledger Live portfolio:
BTC
ETH
ADA
SOL
DOT
And hundreds of others
These accounts allow you to send, receive, and manage your assets while your private keys stay offline on your Ledger device.
How to Receive Crypto on Your Ledger
Open Ledger Live
Choose the crypto account
Click “Receive”
Connect and unlock your Ledger
Verify the receiving address on the Ledger device screen
Share the address to receive funds
Always check the address displayed on your hardware device.
How to Send Crypto with Ledger
Open Ledger Live
Select your crypto account
Click “Send”
Enter the recipient's address
Unlock your Ledger
Approve the transaction manually on the device
This protects you from malware and address tampering.
Long-Term Security Tips for Ledger Users
✔ Keep your recovery phrase offline
It is the key to your crypto.
✔ Enable passphrase for additional protection
Advanced users can add a 25th “secret word.”
✔ Regularly update firmware via Ledger Live
Keeps your device secure and up to date.
✔ Never enter your seed phrase online
Ledger support will never ask for it.
✔ Be aware of phishing websites & fake apps
Bookmark the official Ledger URL.
✔ Store your device in a safe place
Treat it like a high-value item.
Common Setup Mistakes to Avoid
❌ Using “pre-written” recovery phrases
Legitimate Ledger devices never include pre-filled words.
❌ Searching for downloads on Google
Fake Ledger Live download pages are common.
❌ Storing the seed phrase digitally
Cloud backups and computers are unsafe.
❌ Ignoring firmware updates
Security patches are important.
❌ Sharing your screen with support scammers
Ledger support never asks to view your device screen or recovery phrase.
Conclusion: Start Strong with Ledger Start®
Setting up your Ledger hardware wallet through the correct initialization process ensures maximum security from day one. By following the Ledger Start® steps—downloading Ledger Live, securing your recovery phrase, verifying your device, and learning proper crypto hygiene—you gain full control over your digital assets with one of the most secure hardware wallets on the market.
With your Ledger device properly set up, you’re ready to explore, invest, and manage crypto with confidence.