Ledger.com/Start® | Getting started — Ledger Support*

micke

— 3 min read

In the world of cryptocurrencies and digital assets, security is not a feature—it is the foundation. The mantra "not your keys, not your coins" underscores a critical truth: if you don't control the private keys to your assets, you don't truly own them. This is where Ledger, a leader in secure hardware wallet technology, comes in. If you've just purchased a Ledger Nano S Plus, Nano X, or the new Ledger Stax, your essential first step is navigating to the official resource: Ledger.com/Start. This guide will walk you through the process, explain the importance of each step, and equip you with the knowledge to securely begin your self-custody journey.

The Critical First Step: Why Ledger.com/Start is Non-Negotiable

The official Ledger.com/Start page is your single source of truth. It is designed to guide you, step-by-step, through the initial setup of your new device. Crucially, it ensures you are always using genuine Ledger software and following verified procedures, protecting you from phishing sites and counterfeit hardware scams. Bookmark this page and never rely on search engines or links from unofficial sources to find your setup guide.

Phase 1: Unboxing and Initial Preparation

Once you navigate to Ledger.com/Start and select your device model, the process begins.

  1. Verify Your Device Authenticity: Before connecting your Ledger, the website will guide you to check the anti-tampering seal on the box. Your device should be pristine, with no pre-generated recovery phrases. This is your first line of defense against supply chain attacks.
  2. Install Ledger Live: Ledger Live is the companion application that allows you to manage your accounts, send and receive crypto, and install apps on your hardware device. Download it only from the official links on Ledger.com/Start or directly from the Ledger website. Avoid third-party app stores for this critical software.

Phase 2: The Heart of Security: Setting Up Your Recovery Phrase

This is the most important step in your crypto life. Your recovery phrase (also called a seed phrase) is a 24-word sequence that represents the master key to all your crypto accounts on the device.

  1. Initialize as New Device: Your Ledger will prompt you to choose between restoring an existing phrase or setting up as a new device. Choose "new device."
  2. Write Down the 24 Words: Your Ledger device will display 24 words, one at a time, on its secure screen. You must physically write these down on the included recovery sheet. Critical Rules:
    • Never type these words on a computer or phone.
    • Never take a digital photo of them.
    • Never share them with anyone, under any circumstances.
    • Store the sheet in a safe, permanent, and private place (like a fireproof safe). Consider using a metal backup solution for added durability against fire or water.
  3. Confirm the Recovery Phrase: The device will then test you by asking to re-enter a selection of the words. This ensures you have recorded them correctly. If your recovery sheet is lost or incorrect, your assets are irrecoverable.

Phase 3: Configuring Ledger Live and Your Device

  1. Connect and Unlock: Connect your Ledger device via USB or Bluetooth (for Nano X) and enter your PIN code. The PIN protects the device physically, while the recovery phrase protects your assets digitally.
  2. Set Up a Manager Profile: In Ledger Live, you'll be guided to create a password to secure the application on your computer or smartphone.
  3. Install Device Apps: Ledger uses a system of small apps for each cryptocurrency (e.g., Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana). Through Ledger Live's "Manager," you can install the apps for the assets you plan to hold. These apps are minimal and do not store the assets themselves; they simply allow your device to interact with the respective blockchains.

Phase 4: Creating Your First Accounts and Managing Assets

  1. Add Accounts: In the "Accounts" tab of Ledger Live, you can add a new account for a specific cryptocurrency (e.g., a Bitcoin account). Ledger Live will derive a public address from your secure private key, which is stored on the device.
  2. Receive Assets: To receive crypto, select the account, click "Receive," and confirm the address on your Ledger device's screen. Always verify the address on your hardware screen matches the one in Ledger Live to avoid malware-based address swapping attacks.
  3. Send Assets: To send, initiate the transaction in Ledger Live. The details (amount, recipient) will be sent to your Ledger device for physical verification. You must manually approve the transaction by pressing the buttons on the device. This ensures that even a compromised computer cannot forge a transaction.

Ongoing Security and Best Practices

Your security posture must remain active. Always keep your Ledger Live software and your device's firmware updated via the Manager in Ledger Live. These updates contain critical security patches. Continue to use Ledger.com/Start as a reference, but also explore the full Ledger Support portal for troubleshooting, in-depth articles, and security tutorials.

Conclusion: Embracing True Ownership

Setting up your Ledger device via Ledger.com/Start is more than a technical ritual; it is your initiation into the principle of self-sovereignty in the digital age. By meticulously following these steps, you move your digital assets from being entries on an exchange database to being truly yours, secured by a personal fortress of cryptography and hardware. Take your time, prioritize security over speed, and welcome to the world of true digital asset ownership.

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