Ledger.com/Start® | Getting started — Ledger

A concise 1,000-word practical guide to safely starting your Ledger hardware wallet and Ledger Live workflow.

Welcome — this short guide walks you through the essential steps at Ledger.com/Start®. It covers inspecting your device, downloading the official Ledger Live application, creating or restoring a wallet, securing your recovery phrase, basic receive/send flows, and quick troubleshooting. Follow on-device prompts and always use official download pages.

Essentials — what to know first

A Ledger hardware wallet stores private keys offline in a secure element. Ledger Live is the official companion app (desktop & mobile) used to initialize the device, manage blockchain apps, view balances, and build transactions. Your recovery phrase (the 24 words) is the only reliable backup — protect it offline.

Unbox & authenticity

Inspect packaging for tamper evidence. Genuine Ledger products arrive sealed; there should be no pre-written recovery sheet or stickers covering important parts. If the package looks altered, contact the vendor before using the device.

Download Ledger Live

Type ledger.com/start directly into your browser (avoid links from strangers). Download the installer for your OS or the mobile app from official app stores. Ledger Live is the recommended tool for setup and firmware updates.

Tip: Bookmark the official Ledger download page and support site to avoid phishing. Ledger support will never ask for your recovery phrase.

Initialize your device

When you power on a new Ledger device it will be in factory mode. Ledger Live will guide you to create a new device or restore an existing wallet. Creating a new wallet on the device is the safest route for most users.

Create a new wallet (quick)

  1. Connect the device and open Ledger Live.
  2. Choose “Set up as new device” and follow on-screen instructions.
  3. Set a device PIN directly on the hardware.
  4. Write down the 24-word recovery phrase exactly in order on the supplied card or another secure medium — do not photograph or store it digitally.
  5. Confirm the words on the device when prompted to finish setup.

Restore from a seed (quick)

  1. Select “Restore” in Ledger Live when starting the setup.
  2. Enter the recovery phrase into the device as prompted and set a new PIN.

Install apps & add accounts

Use Ledger Live → Manager to install blockchain apps (Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, etc.). After installing an app, go to Accounts → Add account for that currency and let Ledger Live discover addresses derived from your seed.

Receive — safe steps

  1. Open Receive in Ledger Live and choose an account.
  2. Connect and unlock your device and open the corresponding app on-device.
  3. Verify the receiving address shown in Ledger Live matches the address displayed on the device screen. Only share the address after confirming it on-device.

Send — safe signing flow

  1. Create a Send in Ledger Live and enter recipient & amount.
  2. Review details in Ledger Live; the unsigned transaction is sent to the device for signing.
  3. Verify recipient, amount and fee on the device screen and physically approve to sign.
Security reminder: The hardware display is the only trusted source for verifying addresses and transaction data.

Firmware updates & maintenance

Apply firmware updates only when prompted by Ledger Live. Updates often patch vulnerabilities and add features. Do not unplug the device during an update. If an update fails, follow Ledger Live recovery prompts or contact official support — never share your seed.

Short security checklist

  • Buy from official sources or authorized resellers.
  • Keep recovery phrase offline; consider a metal backup for long-term durability.
  • Verify addresses and transaction details on-device before approving.
  • Use a dedicated spending wallet for daily small transactions; keep bulk funds in cold storage.
  • Limit use of public/shared computers for signing large transfers.

Quick troubleshooting

Device not detected

  • Try another USB cable/port — avoid charge-only cables.
  • Unlock the device and ensure the correct app is open on-device.
  • Restart Ledger Live and your computer.

Forgot PIN

If you forget your device PIN you must reset the device and restore from your recovery phrase. Keep backups safe.

Final notes

Ledger + Ledger Live provide a practical and secure path to self-custody. The device keeps keys offline; your behavior and backups determine long-term safety. Protect your recovery phrase, verify transactions on-device, and keep software and firmware up to date. When in doubt, consult the official support pages and avoid sharing sensitive secrets with anyone.