Ledger.com/Start — Your Official Onboarding Path (Safe · Verified · Practical)

Step-by-step, human-friendly instructions to initialize a Ledger hardware wallet, install Ledger Live, and avoid common phishing traps — for Bitcoin, Ethereum, NFTs, staking, and DeFi access.

Trusted start
Ledger.com/Start
Official setup portal

If you just unboxed a Ledger Nano device (Nano S Plus / Nano X / Stax) — or you’re about to buy one — Ledger.com/Start is the single safest place to begin. It’s the official onboarding page where Ledger provides verified installers, device-specific guidance, firmware updates, and anti-phishing checks. Think of it as the certified trailhead that keeps your private key and recovery phrase safe from impostors.

Why use Ledger.com/Start — short answer

  • Authentic downloads: only signed Ledger Live installers; no trojans or altered apps.
  • Device-specific steps: clear instructions for firmware, PIN, and the 24-word seed (recovery phrase).
  • Anti-phishing guidance: how to spot fake sites, emails, and social posts.
Quick reassurance
Ledger never asks for your recovery phrase online. Ledger.com/Start shows you official downloads and the exact steps to never expose your seed.

Step-by-step setup (what Ledger.com/Start walks you through)

1
Download Ledger Live — Choose Desktop (Windows, macOS, Linux) or Mobile (iOS/Android). Only use files provided via Ledger.com/Start.
2
Initialize the device — Connect the Ledger device, create a PIN on-device, and note the 24-word recovery phrase on the supplied card (never digital).
3
Verify firmware & authenticity — Ledger.com/Start includes checks so Ledger Live validates firmware signatures before installation.
4
Add accounts inside Ledger Live (Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, etc.). Ledger Live shows balances, staking options and integrates with select partners for buying or swapping tokens.
5
Secure backups — Place the 24-word phrase offline in a safe place (metal backup recommended). Ledger.com/Start explains the threats of storing seeds digitally.

A deeper look — what Ledger.com/Start protects you from

The crypto onboarding landscape is littered with risks: fake installers that capture private keys, phishing URLs that mimic support pages, and malicious guides that encourage you to type or upload your recovery phrase. Ledger.com/Start centralizes only the legitimate steps — signed installers, firmware authenticity checks, and device-specific prompts — so the signing of transactions (which requires your physical device) never happens on compromised software. When you follow the official flow, your private key and seed phrase remain off the internet and only ever live inside the Secure Element of the Ledger device.

Item Ledger.com/Start (Official) Cloned/Fake Sites
Installer authenticity Signed by Ledger; checksum & signature checks via Ledger Live. Often unsigned or trojanized; may prompt recovery phrase uploads.
Recovery phrase handling Instructions to write on paper/steel; never enter online. May ask you to paste or type phrase into a field (scam).
Firmware updates Pushed via Ledger Live with cryptographic validation. Could push malicious firmware or fake update notifications.
Support & guidance Official help articles, clear device prompts, verified support channels. Fake chat/support that asks for seeds or remote access.

Top checklist before you start

  1. Type ledger.com/start yourself — don't click unknown links.
  2. Use a personal device (avoid public kiosks or shared computers).
  3. Have a physical pen & backup medium ready for the 24-word seed.
  4. Never store seed words in cloud notes, photos, or email.

Where Ledger.com/Start helps beyond setup

  • Firmware security checks and release notes.
  • Guides for staking ETH/ADA/SOL and connecting to DeFi safely.
  • Official links to verified integrations (WalletConnect, partner services).

Common setup bumps and how Ledger.com/Start addresses them

Problems like "device not detected", "firmware mismatch", or "Bluetooth pairing fails" are common. Ledger.com/Start links you to clear device-specific steps: using original cables, enabling browser permissions for USB, re-pairing Bluetooth with the Nano X, and verifying firmware via Ledger Live's signature checks. If anything looks different or a page asks you for a seed or to paste your words online — stop, close the page, and cross-check via Ledger.com/Start again.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: I received a support link from social media for setup — is that okay?
A: No. Social links are often spoofed. Always confirm by typing Ledger.com/Start into the address bar and following that official flow.
Q: Should I ever enter my 24-word recovery phrase into Ledger Live or a website?
A: Never. Ledger Live never asks you to enter or upload your seed. Write it down offline and store it physically (steel backup recommended).
Q: Can Ledger.com/Start help me if I already used a third-party installer?
A: Yes — first disconnect and factory-reset your device (if safe to do so), obtain the official installer from Ledger.com/Start, and reinitialize following official instructions. If you suspect compromise, move funds after restoring on a new device and transferring assets to fresh addresses after configuring a secure seed.
Q: Does Ledger charge for setup or Ledger Live?
A: No. Ledger Live and the onboarding resources on Ledger.com/Start are free. Costs only appear when you perform blockchain transactions (network/gas fees) or purchase third-party services.

Final, practical advice before you click “Start”

Type ledger.com/start directly. Use a trusted computer or your phone. Keep the seed offline. Update firmware only through the Ledger Live app you downloaded from the official page. If anything asks you to send your 24 words over chat, email, or an input field — it’s a scam.

Short checklist
1. Confirm URL: ledger.com/start — check padlock.   2. Use official Ledger Live installer.   3. Write the 24-word seed offline.   4. Verify firmware via Ledger Live.   5. Never share seed.
Secure your keys — protect your future. Start only at Ledger.com/Start.