Title: Ledger.com/start – The #2 Official Setup Guide for Ledger Devices (Complete 2025 Walkthrough)
Setting up a hardware wallet is one of the most important steps you can take to secure your cryptocurrency. Ledger devices—Ledger Nano S Plus and Ledger Nano X—are trusted globally because they keep your private keys offline, protecting your digital assets from online theft. If you’ve just purchased a Ledger device and are ready to secure your crypto, this guide will walk you through everything you need to know.
Below is a comprehensive, 1500-word, blog-style guide to help you set up your Ledger wallet through Ledger.com/start, following all recommended security practices.
Introduction: Why Ledger.com/start Matters
In the world of digital assets, security is everything. Exchanges get hacked, phishing scams spread widely, and inexperienced users often fall prey to fraudulent websites. Ledger solves these problems using hardware-based cold storage—keeping your private keys offline and out of reach from cyber-attacks.
Ledger.com/start is the official portal for setting up your Ledger device. Whether you’re using the Nano S Plus or Nano X, this guide ensures that you complete your setup safely, correctly, and with confidence.
This walkthrough covers:
- Checking device authenticity
- Installing Ledger Live
- Creating your PIN
- Generating and securing your recovery phrase
- Adding accounts
- Managing crypto with Ledger Live
Let’s begin your journey to safer crypto storage.
Step 1: Visit the Official Site – Ledger.com/start
Your first step is to go directly to the official setup page. Ledger strongly advises typing the URL manually to avoid phishing attempts.
When you arrive at Ledger.com/start, you’ll find:
- Device selection options
- Direct download links for Ledger Live
- Video tutorials
- Basic security reminders
Before going further, double-check that:
- Your URL begins with https://
- The domain is exactly ledger.com
Since crypto scams often involve fake device pages, this verification step is essential.
Step 2: Download Ledger Live
Ledger Live is the control center for your Ledger device. It helps you install apps, add accounts, send and receive crypto, stake assets, and view your portfolio.
What Ledger Live Is
- A desktop/mobile application
- Available for Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android
- The only official app Ledger provides
- Required for device setup and operation
How to Install Ledger Live
- On Ledger.com/start, select your device model.
- Choose your operating system.
- Download and install the Ledger Live application.
- Launch Ledger Live and follow the on-screen prompts.
Once installed, Ledger Live will guide you through setup mode.
Step 3: Choose “Set Up as New Device”
Ledger Live will ask how you want to configure your wallet:
- Set up as new device (recommended for first-time users)
- Restore from recovery phrase (if you already have a seed phrase)
- Use an existing device
For new users, select Set up as new device. This creates a fresh wallet with new private keys generated securely on the device.
Step 4: Power On and Confirm Device Authenticity
After selecting your setup option:
- Connect your Ledger device to your computer or smartphone.
- Power it on by pressing both physical buttons simultaneously.
- Follow the device’s built-in instructions to confirm authenticity.
Ledger devices come with tamper-proof features, ensuring you’re using a genuine product. Ledger Live will automatically verify the device through its secure attestation system.
If anything seems off, stop immediately and contact Ledger support.
Step 5: Create Your PIN Code
A PIN code protects your Ledger wallet from unauthorized physical access.
Best Practices for Your PIN
- Choose 4–8 digits
- Avoid obvious patterns (0000, 1234)
- Never share your PIN with anyone
- Write it down and store it securely
You’ll enter the PIN on your device using the two buttons—scroll left or right and press both buttons to confirm.
If someone steals your device, the PIN prevents them from gaining access.
Step 6: Secure Your 24-Word Recovery Phrase
This is the most critical step in the entire setup process.
Your Ledger will generate a 24-word recovery phrase (also known as a seed phrase). This phrase is the backup of your wallet. Anyone with this phrase can access your crypto—even without the device.
Rules for Protecting Your Recovery Phrase
- Never share your recovery phrase with anyone
- Never enter your phrase into a website or app
- Write the words on paper (Ledger provides recovery sheets)
- Store the phrase in a secure location
- Consider a metal backup to protect against fire or water damage
- Ledger employees will never ask for your 24-word phrase
After writing the words, the device will ask you to confirm them by selecting them in the correct order. This ensures you wrote them correctly.
Why This Step Matters
If your device is ever lost, damaged, or replaced, you can restore your wallet using this phrase on a new Ledger device.
If you lose your phrase permanently, your crypto is also lost permanently.
Step 7: Install Apps on Your Ledger Device
Each cryptocurrency requires a corresponding app for secure storage.
You install apps through Ledger Live:
- Open Ledger Live
- Go to My Ledger
- Connect your device
- Select and install apps such as:
- Bitcoin
- Ethereum
- Solana
- XRP
- Polygon
- And many others
Your Ledger can store multiple apps simultaneously, depending on model and memory capacity.
Step 8: Add Accounts in Ledger Live
Once an app is installed on your device, add its corresponding account in Ledger Live.
Why You Need Accounts
Apps on the Ledger device handle the cryptographic signing.
Accounts in Ledger Live allow you to:
- View balances
- Generate receiving addresses
- Send and receive funds
- Track portfolio value
How to Add Accounts
- Open Ledger Live
- Navigate to Accounts
- Select Add Account
- Choose your crypto (e.g., Bitcoin, Ethereum)
- Ledger Live will sync with your device
- Your account is added and ready to use
Step 9: Receive Crypto Into Your Ledger Wallet
Now that everything is set up, you can transfer crypto from an exchange or software wallet into your Ledger wallet.
To Receive Crypto:
- Open Ledger Live
- Go to Receive
- Choose the appropriate account
- Verify the receiving address on your device
- Copy the address and send funds to it from your exchange
Always verify the address on the device screen, not just Ledger Live. This protects you from malware that could alter displayed addresses.
Step 10: Sending Crypto with Ledger
To send assets:
- Open the Send tab in Ledger Live
- Enter the recipient's address
- Choose your amount
- Confirm transaction details on your device
- Approve or reject the transaction
Ledger ensures that all transactions must be verified physically on the device, keeping your private keys safe.
Step 11: Explore Ledger Live Features
Beyond basic sending and receiving, Ledger Live offers powerful tools to manage your digital wealth.
Portfolio Tracking
View real-time portfolio value, charts, and historical performance.
Staking Options
Stake assets such as:
- Ethereum
- Solana
- Polkadot
- Tezos
- Cosmos
Earn rewards directly through Ledger Live.
Buy and Swap
Depending on your region, Ledger Live integrates services allowing:
- Buying crypto
- Swapping assets
- Selling crypto
Always compare fees before using integrated services.
NFT Management
Manage NFTs securely on chains like Ethereum and Polygon using Ledger Live’s NFT manager.
Step 12: Ledger Security Tips
Even though Ledger devices are designed for maximum security, users should follow additional best practices:
Never share your 24-word recovery phrase
Ledger will never ask for it.
No support agent will need it.
No website should request it.
Beware of fake Ledger Live apps
Always download from the official site.
Use a strong PIN
Keep your firmware updated
Ledger regularly releases security patches.
Verify every transaction on your device
The device screen is the ultimate source of truth.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ledger.com/start the same as Ledger Live?
No. Ledger.com/start is the setup portal.
Ledger Live is the actual application you use daily.
Do I need internet to use Ledger?
Your computer or phone requires internet, but your private keys never leave the device.
What if I lose my Ledger?
You can restore everything with your 24-word recovery phrase on a new device.
Can I store multiple cryptocurrencies?
Yes. Ledger supports thousands of assets and hundreds of blockchains.