Official Site® | Ledger.com/Start® — Getting started with Ledger

A practical, security-focused 1,500-word guide to download Ledger Live, initialize your Ledger device, protect your recovery phrase, and manage crypto safely.

Introduction — ownership and responsibility

Self-custody of cryptocurrency begins with a secure hardware wallet. Ledger hardware devices (for example, Nano S Plus and Nano X) are designed to keep your private keys offline and to require physical confirmation for every sensitive action. Ledger.com/Start is the official entry point to download Ledger Live, initialize your device, update firmware, and access the secure onboarding flow. This guide walks you through the complete setup — from unboxing to everyday best practices — with a focus on security and clarity.

What you will learn

Over the next sections you will learn how to: download Ledger Live safely, connect and initialize a Ledger device, generate and protect a recovery phrase, set a device PIN, use Ledger Live features (accounts, sending/receiving, staking, swaps), and follow security routines to minimize the risks of phishing, malware, and physical loss. The goal: give you a practical, repeatable onboarding sequence so your crypto is safe and usable.

Unboxing — visual checks before you connect

When your Ledger device arrives, inspect the packaging before opening. Official devices arrive sealed; any broken seals or suspicious packaging are a reason to pause and contact support. Inside you should find the device, a USB cable, recovery sheet(s), quick-start material and warranty information. Prepare a quiet workspace and keep your recovery sheets ready. Avoid untrusted or public computers for the initial setup.

Step 1 — go to Ledger.com/Start

To avoid phishing, type ledger.com/start directly into your browser or use a bookmark. The start page hosts official Ledger Live installers for desktop and mobile, plus platform-specific instructions. Do not download installers from search ads, emailed links, or third-party mirrors.

Step 2 — download and install Ledger Live

Ledger Live is available for Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS and Android. From the start page choose the appropriate installer and run it. Ledger Live takes you through device setup, firmware updates, app installation (for specific blockchains), account management, and transaction workflows. Optionally, for maximum assurance you can verify installer checksums if Ledger publishes them.

Step 3 — connect your Ledger device

Use the supplied USB cable (or Bluetooth pairing for supported mobile models). When Ledger Live detects your device it will offer the choices to create a new wallet or restore an existing one. If this is a fresh device, select “Create as new device” to generate a new recovery phrase. If you are migrating, use “Restore” and follow the device prompts to input your existing seed.

Step 4 — generate and secure your recovery phrase

The recovery phrase (typically 24 words on newer Ledger flows) is the cryptographic master backup. The device will display each word on its screen — write them down in order on the provided recovery sheets. This is the single most important secret: anyone with the phrase can restore your funds. Never photograph, type, or store the seed in digital form. Keep physical copies offline in secure locations.

Tip: For long-term resilience consider a metal backup plate to protect the seed from fire and water damage. If you make multiple copies, store them in geographically separate secure places.

Step 5 — set a PIN and optional passphrase

After writing your recovery phrase you will set a device PIN. The PIN prevents local unauthorized use if someone finds your device. Pick a PIN that’s memorable but not trivial (avoid birthdays or ob