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Ledger.com/Start® is the official onboarding portal designed to help users securely set up and begin using their Ledger hardware wallet. As the trusted starting point for new Ledger device owners, the site provides step-by-step guidance, verified downloads, and essential security education to ensure users can manage their digital assets safely from day one. By following the instructions on the official site, users reduce the risk of phishing, counterfeit software, and common setup mistakes.
Getting started with a Ledger device is not just about installation—it is about establishing strong security habits and understanding how self-custody works in the world of cryptocurrency.
What Is Ledger.com/Start?
Ledger.com/Start is the official setup page created by Ledger to guide users through the initial configuration of their hardware wallet. It acts as a single, authoritative source for downloading Ledger Live, installing firmware, verifying device authenticity, and learning best practices for protecting recovery phrases.
Because hardware wallets are security-critical devices, Ledger strongly recommends that all users begin their journey through this official portal rather than relying on third-party guides or unofficial software downloads.
Why Using the Official Site Matters
Crypto security depends heavily on trust and verification. Fake websites, malicious downloads, and phishing attacks are among the most common threats faced by new users. Ledger.com/Start exists to eliminate these risks by ensuring that every step of the setup process comes from a verified and trusted source.
Using the official site helps users:
Download authentic Ledger Live software
Verify the integrity of their hardware device
Learn how to safely generate and store recovery phrases
Avoid common scams and impersonation attempts
Starting anywhere else introduces unnecessary risk, especially during the initial setup phase when security foundations are established.
Step 1: Unboxing and Device Check
The getting started process begins with unboxing the Ledger hardware wallet. Users are guided to inspect the packaging and contents carefully. Ledger devices do not come pre-configured, pre-seeded, or pre-loaded with recovery phrases.
A genuine Ledger device will prompt users to generate their own recovery phrase during setup. If a device arrives with a recovery phrase already provided, it should not be used.
Ledger.com/Start explains how to identify legitimate packaging and what warning signs to watch for before proceeding.
Step 2: Downloading Ledger Live
The next step is downloading Ledger Live, the official desktop and mobile application used to manage Ledger hardware wallets. Ledger.com/Start provides direct, verified links to Ledger Live for supported operating systems, including Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS.
Ledger Live serves as the main interface for:
Managing crypto accounts
Installing and updating apps on the device
Sending and receiving digital assets
Monitoring balances and transaction history
By downloading Ledger Live only through the official site, users ensure they are installing untampered software.
Step 3: Initial Device Setup
Once Ledger Live is installed, users are guided through setting up their device for the first time. This process includes choosing a PIN code and generating a recovery phrase directly on the hardware wallet.
The recovery phrase, typically consisting of 24 words, is the most important element of wallet security. Ledger.com/Start emphasizes that this phrase must be written down offline and stored securely. It should never be photographed, saved digitally, or shared with anyone.
During setup, users confirm the recovery phrase on the device itself, ensuring it has been recorded correctly.
Step 4: Understanding Recovery and Ownership
A key part of the getting started experience is education. Ledger.com/Start explains what it means to truly own crypto assets. With a hardware wallet, ownership is defined by control of the private keys, which are derived from the recovery phrase.
If the device is lost, damaged, or replaced, the recovery phrase allows funds to be restored on another compatible wallet. Conversely, anyone who gains access to the recovery phrase gains full control of the assets.
This section of the onboarding process reinforces personal responsibility and helps users understand why Ledger cannot recover funds if a recovery phrase is lost.
Step 5: Verifying Device Authenticity
Ledger devices include built-in verification mechanisms that confirm the device is genuine and untampered. Ledger Live automatically performs an authenticity check when the device is connected.
Ledger.com/Start walks users through this process and explains how the verification works. This step provides confidence that the hardware wallet is running official firmware and has not been altered.
Authenticity verification is a critical safeguard that protects users from counterfeit devices.
Step 6: Installing Apps and Adding Accounts
After setup and verification, users can begin installing apps for different cryptocurrencies directly onto the Ledger device through Ledger Live. Each supported asset has its own app, which allows the device to interact with that blockchain.
Once apps are installed, users can add accounts and begin receiving or sending funds. Ledger.com/Start explains how addresses are generated, how to verify them on the device screen, and why on-device confirmation is essential for preventing address-replacement attacks.
Step 7: Security Best Practices
The getting started guide goes beyond technical setup by emphasizing long-term security habits. Users are reminded to:
Never share their recovery phrase
Be cautious of unsolicited messages or support offers
Always verify transaction details on the device screen
Keep firmware and Ledger Live updated
Ledger.com/Start also warns users that Ledger will never ask for recovery phrases or private information, helping protect against social engineering attacks.
Supported Assets and Ongoing Use
Once onboarding is complete, users can manage a wide range of cryptocurrencies and tokens supported by Ledger. Ledger Live provides portfolio tracking, transaction management, and optional access to third-party services, depending on region and asset type.
Ledger.com/Start serves as the foundation, but users can return to official resources for advanced topics such as staking, firmware updates, and integrating with third-party wallets.
Who Should Use Ledger.com/Start?
Ledger.com/Start is intended for:
First-time Ledger hardware wallet users
Users resetting or restoring a device
Anyone verifying they are using official Ledger software
Security-conscious individuals learning self-custody
Even experienced crypto users benefit from following the official onboarding flow to ensure no steps are skipped.
Conclusion
Official Site® | Ledger.com/Start® | Getting Started is the essential entry point for anyone beginning their journey with a Ledger hardware wallet. By providing verified downloads, clear setup instructions, and critical security education, it ensures users start with confidence and strong security foundations.
In a landscape where mistakes can be costly and scams are common, using the official getting started portal is one of the most important decisions a Ledger user can make. Ledger.com/Start empowers users to take full control of their digital assets—securely, responsibly, and with clarity from the very first step.