Welcome to Ledger.com/start, the official onboarding guide for securing your digital assets with Ledger. This comprehensive tutorial will help you understand how Ledger works, set up your hardware wallet, safeguard your recovery phrase, install Ledger Live, and manage your crypto assets safely and confidently.
1. What Is Ledger?
Ledger is a trusted global leader in hardware wallets — devices designed to keep your cryptocurrency private keys offline and away from hackers. When you use a Ledger device, your keys never leave the secure chip, ensuring your assets are safe even if your computer or smartphone is compromised.
Combined with the Ledger Live app, you can manage thousands of crypto assets, NFTs, and DeFi applications securely from one interface.
Why Ledger? Ledger wallets provide cold storage — an offline environment that significantly reduces the risk of theft compared to online or custodial wallets.
2. The Importance of Securing Your Digital Assets
When you buy cryptocurrency on an exchange, you don’t technically own the coins until you control their private keys. Storing your assets on an exchange exposes them to potential hacks or insolvency issues. By transferring your crypto to a Ledger wallet, you become the sole owner of your digital assets.
Ledger gives you full control of your private keys.
It protects your assets from phishing, malware, and scams.
You can interact securely with DeFi apps and NFTs.
3. What You Need to Get Started
Before you begin, make sure you have the following items ready:
Security Tip: Only purchase Ledger devices directly from the official Ledger store or verified partners. Never use a pre-owned or pre-configured device.
4. Unboxing and Authenticity Check
Inside your Ledger box, you should find:
The Ledger hardware wallet
USB cable
Recovery sheets
Keychain and quick start guide
Ledger devices do not come with tamper-evident seals. Instead, authenticity is verified during the setup process via the secure chip.
5. Setting Up Your Ledger Device
Follow these steps to initialize your Ledger wallet:
Connect your device to your computer using the USB cable (or turn it on for Bluetooth setup).
Follow the on-screen instructions on the device.
Select “Set up as new device.”
Choose a 4–8 digit PIN code.
The PIN code protects your wallet from unauthorized physical access. Avoid using predictable numbers like 1234 or your birth date.
Tip: You can change your PIN later through the device’s settings if needed.
6. Back Up Your Wallet — The Recovery Phrase
Your device will now display 24 words — this is your recovery phrase. It’s the most important piece of information in your crypto security setup.
If your Ledger is lost, stolen, or damaged, these 24 words allow you to restore your wallet on any Ledger device. Without them, your crypto is permanently unrecoverable.
How to Secure Your Recovery Phrase:
Write down each word exactly as it appears on your Ledger device screen.
Use the provided recovery sheet or a metal backup plate.
Never save your recovery phrase digitally (no photos or cloud backups).
Store it in a secure, offline location (like a safe or deposit box).
Critical: Never share your recovery phrase with anyone — not even Ledger support. If someone has it, they can access your crypto.
7. Install the Ledger Live App
Ledger Live is the official companion app that lets you manage your crypto assets, install coin apps, and track your portfolio securely.
Download Ledger Live for Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, or Android.
Install and open the app.
Select “Get Started” and follow the setup wizard.
Connect your device when prompted.
Ledger Live will automatically verify your device’s authenticity using Ledger’s secure attestation process.
Reminder: Always download from the official Ledger site. Fake apps or extensions may attempt to steal your information.
8. Installing Crypto Apps on Your Device
Each cryptocurrency supported by Ledger requires a dedicated app installed on the device.
Open Ledger Live and go to My Ledger.
Approve the connection on your device.
Search for the desired crypto app (e.g., Bitcoin, Ethereum, XRP).
Click Install. The app will now appear on your Ledger device’s screen.
You can uninstall apps later without losing funds — your assets remain secured by your recovery phrase.
9. Adding Crypto Accounts
Once you have installed crypto apps, add accounts in Ledger Live:
In Ledger Live, go to Accounts → Add Account.
Select the cryptocurrency you want to add.
Open the corresponding app on your Ledger device.
Ledger Live will scan the blockchain and add your account.
This step lets you monitor balances, send and receive funds, and manage multiple wallets under one interface.
10. Sending and Receiving Crypto Safely
Receiving
In Ledger Live, click Receive.
Select the crypto account and open its app on your device.
Verify that the address shown on your device matches the one in Ledger Live.
Share the address only after confirming.
Sending
Click Send in Ledger Live.
Enter the recipient’s address and amount.
Review and confirm the details on your Ledger device.
Approve using both buttons.
Verify Every Transaction: Always check the address on your Ledger device screen before confirming to avoid phishing or malware attacks.
11. Advanced Security Tips
Keep your recovery phrase offline and never share it.
Regularly update your device firmware and Ledger Live app.
Use strong, unique PIN codes.
Enable passphrase protection (advanced users).
Beware of fake Ledger support sites and phishing emails.
Did you know? Ledger devices have never been hacked remotely when used correctly — most breaches come from users revealing their recovery phrase.
12. Restoring Your Wallet
If you ever lose or damage your Ledger, you can restore your wallet using your 24-word recovery phrase.
Get a new Ledger device.
Select “Restore from recovery phrase.”
Enter your 24 words using the buttons.
Set a new PIN code.
Once connected to Ledger Live, your accounts and balances will reappear automatically after syncing.
13. Troubleshooting Common Issues
Ledger not recognized by Ledger Live
Try another USB cable or port, unlock your device, and ensure you’ve opened the correct app.
Device frozen or unresponsive
Hold both buttons for 10 seconds to restart. If the problem persists, reinstall firmware through Ledger Live.
Firmware update failed
Disconnect and reconnect your device. Retry the update after ensuring your recovery phrase is backed up.
14. Using Ledger with DeFi and NFTs
Ledger integrates with DeFi platforms and NFT marketplaces through Ledger Live and external wallet connections (like MetaMask).
Connect Ledger to MetaMask or WalletConnect.
Confirm every transaction on your device screen.
Always verify URLs — fake DeFi dApps are a common scam vector.
Tip: With Ledger, your NFTs and DeFi assets remain secured under your hardware wallet keys — even when interacting online.
15. Final Thoughts — Take Control of Your Crypto
By starting with Ledger, you’ve taken a powerful step toward securing your digital future. Owning a hardware wallet means taking control of your private keys, your assets, and your financial independence.
Continue learning, stay alert for scams, and keep your recovery phrase safe. Ledger gives you peace of mind — because when you own your keys, you truly own your crypto.
Next Step: Visit Ledger.com/start for official updates, firmware downloads, and customer support.