Ledger.com/start: a clear, careful setup guide
Getting started with a hardware wallet is less about rushing through screens and more about building a secure routine. This guide walks through the essentials so you can set up deliberately, understand each choice, and keep control of your recovery information.
Before you begin: make a calm, secure space
Begin at Ledger.com/start by entering the address yourself in your browser. Check the spelling and domain before continuing. A search result, message, or unexpected pop-up is not a substitute for verifying the address. Use the official setup instructions for your specific device and region; available steps can change as products and software are updated.
Unpack the device yourself and inspect the box and contents. A new device should not arrive with a recovery phrase already written down, and no one should ask you to use a phrase supplied by another person. If anything seems unusual, pause and contact support through the official website before proceeding. Keep your device, computer, and recovery materials in a private place, away from cameras and other people.
Charge or connect the device as its instructions describe. Use a personal computer or mobile device that you trust, and install current operating-system updates. Plan a few uninterrupted minutes. Setup is easier to review when you are not multitasking or being hurried.
Start setup from the official source
Follow the link from Ledger.com/start to obtain Ledger Wallet, the companion application used to manage supported devices. Confirm that the publisher and source are official before installing anything. Do not install software from an unsolicited message, an advert, or a file-sharing link. When in doubt, close the page and type the official address again.
Open the application and choose the path for setting up a new device. Connect your hardware wallet and follow the prompts shown on both the device and your screen. Read device prompts themselves rather than approving a step simply because it appears on your computer. You will create a PIN directly on the device. Choose a combination that is difficult for another person to guess, and never share it. Keep it separate from the device when practical.
Take time to understand each prompt. Your hardware wallet is designed so sensitive signing actions happen on the device, giving you a chance to review what you approve. If the instructions on your screen and device do not match, stop and check the official help material rather than guessing.
Set a routine from the outset: use your device when you are focused, read transaction details on its display, and disconnect it when you have finished. A consistent process makes unusual requests easier to notice. If setup is interrupted, return to the official instructions and continue only when you understand the next step.
Protect your recovery phrase like a master key
During setup, your device will display a recovery phrase. This phrase is the backup that can restore access if a device is lost, damaged, or replaced. Write each word in the correct order on the supplied recovery sheet or another durable offline medium. Check every word carefully as you record it, then store the phrase somewhere private, protected from fire, water, and unauthorized access.
Never photograph, scan, email, message, or type the phrase into a computer, phone, website, or cloud document. Never tell it to someone claiming to be support. A genuine support representative does not need it. Anyone who obtains the phrase may be able to access the assets associated with it. Do not accept a phrase from a seller, a friend, or a web page; only the device should generate it for your setup.
Many devices ask you to confirm selected words so you can check your written backup. Treat this as an important verification, not a step to skip. If you make a recording error, follow the device's official instructions to correct it before moving on. Store the backup separately from your device, and consider how a trusted person could locate it in an emergency without exposing it day to day.
Finish setup and verify your first connection
After confirming your recovery phrase, complete the remaining instructions in Ledger Wallet. If the application offers a device authenticity check, run it and wait for the result. Install only the apps you need, using the official application and on-device prompts. Device storage is limited, so there is no need to add everything at once; supported apps can be managed later.
Before receiving anything, learn how to check an address. Select the relevant account in the application, request an address, and compare the complete address shown in the application with the one displayed on your hardware wallet. Verify it on the device display itself. If even one character differs, do not use it. For a first transfer, many people choose a small test amount, confirm it arrives, and only then decide whether to continue.
Remember that a hardware wallet does not remove every risk. It helps protect private keys, while you remain responsible for checking addresses, networks, and transaction details. A transaction sent on the wrong network or to an incorrect address may not be reversible. Take a moment to review the network and destination each time.
A simple security checklist for the long term
Keep your device firmware and companion application current by following instructions displayed through official channels. Updates can include improvements and support for new features. Read the release notes and prompts, use a stable connection, and do not interrupt an update unless the official guidance says to do so.
Be skeptical of urgency. Scammers often imitate familiar brands, create lookalike websites, or claim that an account will be suspended unless you act immediately. Navigate to the official site yourself rather than following unexpected links. Never reveal your recovery phrase, PIN, or device passcode. If a person or page asks for them, stop communicating and report the incident through the official support route.
Keep your written backup legible and periodically check that you can find it without exposing it. Do not enter it into a recovery flow unless you are intentionally restoring your own device and have independently confirmed that the process is genuine. For current product details, compatibility, and troubleshooting, rely on official Ledger documentation. This guide is educational and is not investment, tax, or legal advice.
When using a shared screen or asking someone for general technical help, keep recovery materials and private account details out of view. Official support channels can help with device and application questions, but they cannot make a risky request safe. When something feels wrong, step away, verify the source independently, and resume only after the concern is resolved.
Ready to continue?
Use the official setup page for the latest instructions for your device.