What is ledger.com/start?
ledger.com/start is the official onboarding portal published by Ledger (Ledger SAS) to help users initialize, configure, and safely manage their Ledger hardware wallets.
Because hardware wallets operate offline and depend heavily on correct setup and secure recovery procedures, it’s critical that users rely on a trusted source for software downloads, setup instructions, and firmware updates. ledger.com/start is intended to serve exactly that role: the one safe, official place to begin.
From this portal, users can:
Download Ledger Live, the companion app/software (desktop or mobile) to interface with the Ledger device.
Follow guided instructions to initialize a new hardware wallet (Nano X, Nano S Plus, etc.), or restore from a recovery phrase.
Check or verify device authenticity and firmware updates.
Access educational resources and security best practices (e.g. from Ledger Academy) to help avoid scams and use the device safely.
In short, ledger.com/start is the trusted entry point into Ledger’s ecosystem for securely managing your crypto via a hardware wallet.
Why you must use ledger.com/start
It might be tempting to search for “Ledger Live download” or click random links from forums or blogs. But doing so exposes you to phishing sites, fake installers, or malicious software that could steal your recovery phrase or inject malware. Using ledger.com/start ensures:
Official software — the version of Ledger Live you download is the correct, up-to-date, authentic version.
Secure instructions — setup steps, firmware updates, and recovery procedures are verified by Ledger.
No third-party intermediaries — limits the risk of tampered tools or scams.
Device verification — you can check your hardware’s authenticity as part of the setup flow.
Ledger explicitly advises users to download Ledger Live only from its official website.
Thus, always ensure you're on ledger.com/start (or a subpage thereof) when downloading or following setup instructions — and avoid clicking Ledger-related links from unfamiliar sources.
Prerequisites before you begin
Before you start, ensure you have:
A Ledger hardware wallet (Nano S, Nano S Plus, Nano X, or newer models like Stax) in its original packaging.
The USB cable that came with the device (or use a compatible USB cable).
The recovery sheets / cards that came in the box (for writing your seed phrase).
A desktop or laptop (Windows, macOS, or Linux) or mobile device (iOS or Android) where you’ll install Ledger Live.
A secure, offline place to record your 24-word recovery phrase (paper, metal backup, etc.).
A stable internet connection (for downloading software and firmware)
Make sure the box isn’t tampered with and everything looks original. If something seems off (seal broken, missing parts), contact Ledger support before proceeding.
Step-by-Step Setup via ledger.com/start
Here’s how you use ledger.com/start to set up a new Ledger wallet (or recover an existing one):
1. Visit the official site
Open your web browser and go exactly to (or follow the link from Ledger’s main site). Avoid clicking through dubious links or search results.
Once there, you’ll typically see options to:
Choose your Ledger device model (e.g. Nano S Plus, Nano X)
Download Ledger Live for your desktop or mobile OS
Watch setup guides or instructions
2. Download Ledger Live
From the portal, select and download the Ledger Live installer appropriate for your operating system (Windows, macOS, Linux) or the mobile app for iOS/Android.
Run the installer and follow the on-screen steps to install Ledger Live on your computer or phone.
3. Launch Ledger Live and begin setup
Open Ledger Live. It will walk you through an onboarding wizard:
You’ll typically see two main options:
Set up as a new device (initialize from scratch)
Restore from recovery phrase (if you already have a 24-word seed)
If you’re setting up a brand-new device, choose “Set up as new device”.
4. Connect your Ledger device
Use the USB cable (or for some models Bluetooth) to connect your hardware wallet to your computer or mobile device. The Ledger device should power on and display a welcome screen.
On models like the Nano X, the device may support Bluetooth pairing with mobile Ledger Live.
5. Choose & confirm a PIN
The device will prompt you to select a PIN code, usually 4–8 digits (or sometimes more, depending on model). Use the onboard buttons to pick each digit, then confirm it.
6. Write down your recovery phrase (seed)
This is the most critical step:
The device will generate a 24-word recovery phrase (seed).
Write down each word in order on the recovery sheet(s).
Never type these words into a computer or phone.
Confirm the phrase as instructed (the device will prompt you to re-enter certain words as verification).
This seed is your only backup — if the device is lost or broken, this is how you restore your funds.
Ledger strongly emphasizes storing this phrase offline, securely, and never sharing it.
7. Finalize setup & verify device authenticity
After confirming the recovery phrase, the device and Ledger Live will complete any remaining initialization steps. Some models perform a device authenticity check to ensure it’s genuine.
Once done, the device will show "Your device is ready" or similar.
8. Install crypto “apps” and add accounts
Ledger devices use “apps” for specific blockchains (Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, etc.). Using Ledger Live’s Manager section, you can install the apps corresponding to the cryptocurrencies you want to manage.
Once the app is installed, you can Add Account in Ledger Live, selecting the blockchain (e.g. “Bitcoin”, “Ethereum”) and letting Ledger Live sync with the device to show balances, transactions, etc.
Important: uninstalling an app from the device does not remove the associated funds permanently. The assets are still linked to your recovery phrase / accounts. You can always reinstall the app later to access them.
9. Use Ledger Live to manage crypto
With setup complete, in Ledger Live you can:
View balances of your crypto accounts
Send and receive transactions (you’ll confirm each via the hardware device)
Update firmware and installed apps
Engage in staking (for supported coins)
Check portfolio performance, swap between assets, and more
Use dApps or integrate with other wallets (depending on model / features)
Ledger Live ensures that private keys never leave the hardware device when signing transactions.
Recovering (restoring) an existing wallet
If you already have a recovery phrase (e.g. from a previous Ledger device), you can skip “new setup” and instead:
On Ledger Live, choose Restore from recovery phrase.
Connect your device and select this “recovery” path.
Enter the exact 24 words in the correct order (via the device interface).
Set a new PIN for this device.
After recovery, install the necessary apps and add accounts as before.
This allows you to regain control of funds stored under that seed, on a new device.
Common pitfalls, security tips & best practices
To get the most secure experience, keep in mind the following:
Never share your recovery phrase. Ledger will never ask for it (outside of the device itself). If any application or website prompts you to type it in on a computer, it’s a scam. Buy only from trusted sources. Buying a pre-owned device or one from an untrusted reseller increases risks. If you suspect tampering, reset and initialize it via ledger.com/start before using.
Verify firmware updates only via Ledger Live or official instructions.
Back up your seed phrase in multiple physical copies (e.g. different secure locations).
Don’t store the seed phrase digitally (no photos, no notes app).
Some advanced users recommend resetting the device and restoring to double-check that the seed phrase was recorded correctly. (This is optional but adds safety assurance.)
Keep your software (Ledger Live) and firmware up to date.
Be cautious of phishing: always manually type
ledger.com/start, don’t click unknown links, check HTTPS, and watch out for lookalike domains.
Differences per device model & extra features
While the overall setup flow is similar across Ledger models, here are some nuances:
Ledger Nano X: supports Bluetooth pairing, so mobile setup is smoother.
Ledger Nano S / S Plus: USB-only, no Bluetooth.
Ledger Stax (a newer / premium model): has an integrated screen and additional UI features; Ledger offers specific video tutorials for its setup.
Some models or later software updates may support features like passphrase (25th word), hidden wallets, integration with Web3/dApps, NFT management, etc.
Always follow the instructions tailored to your specific device in Ledger Live or via the portal.
Summary & final remarks
ledger.com/start is the canonical, secure portal for onboarding Ledger hardware wallet users.
It ensures that you download the authentic Ledger Live software, follow verified setup steps, and avoid phishing or malicious clones.
The setup involves: downloading Ledger Live, connecting your device, choosing a PIN, writing and verifying the recovery phrase, installing apps, and adding accounts.
It’s equally important to restore an existing wallet (if you have a seed) via the same portal.
Adhering to security best practices—never exposing your seed, using only official sources, keeping backups—is essential.
