Your Complete Guide to Ledger.com/start

mark henry

— 2 min read

What Is Ledger.com/start?

Ledger.com/start is the official onboarding portal designed by Ledger to help new users set up, secure, and manage their cryptocurrency wallets. It acts as the first step for anyone who has purchased a Ledger hardware wallet — such as the Ledger Nano S Plus, Ledger Nano X, or Ledger Stax — by providing guided setup instructions, verified software downloads, and security best practices.

Think of Ledger.com/start as the trusted waypoint between unboxing your new device and confidently taking control of your crypto assets in a secure, non-custodial way.

Why Ledger.com/start Matters

Security First

Cryptocurrency security starts at setup. Ledger.com/start ensures you’re on a verified site where you’ll only download legitimate Ledger Live software — the official application used to manage crypto assets, install blockchain apps, and interact with your wallet securely.

This matters because fake Ledger apps and scam sites often mimic the real UI to steal recovery phrases or private keys. Using the official start page reduces that risk by pointing you directly to the safe downloads and instructions you need.

Protect Your Private Keys

When setting up a hardware wallet, you generate a 24-word recovery phrase (also called a seed phrase). This phrase is your master key to restore your wallet on another device if yours is lost or damaged. Ledger.com/start walks you through this step and explains proper offline storage — never enter your seed phrase online or share it with anyone.

How Ledger.com/start Works

Here’s a step-by-step overview that you’ll follow once you visit the official site:

Unbox and Verify

Before you begin, inspect your Ledger hardware wallet box. Ensure the packaging is untampered and original. If anything seems suspicious — like pre-filled recovery sheets or tampering signs — stop and contact Ledger support.

Visit Ledger.com/start

Open a new browser tab and type https://www.ledger.com/start exactly as shown. Avoid clicking links from emails or social media posts, as phishing scams often use misleading URLs.

Download Ledger Live

Once on the official start page, you’ll be guided to download Ledger Live — the desktop or mobile app that manages your wallet. Ledger Live supports multiple platforms, including Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS.

Ledger Live isn’t just a setup utility — it’s your control center for sending, receiving, tracking, staking, and swapping digital assets securely.

Initialize Your Device

Connect your Ledger hardware wallet to your computer (USB) or phone (Bluetooth for certain models). Then:

  • Select “Set up as new device” if you’re creating a fresh wallet.
  • Choose a PIN code to lock your device locally.
  • Write down your 24-word recovery phrase on the included recovery sheet — never take photos or store it digitally.

This recovery phrase is the cornerstone of your crypto ownership: losing it means losing access to your funds.

Pair and Manage Through Ledger Live

After setup, open Ledger Live and follow the on-screen prompts to link your device. Ledger Live verifies your device’s firmware, installs blockchain apps, and lets you add accounts (like Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, and more).

Best Practices After Setup

Keep Everything Updated

Ledger frequently releases firmware and software updates. These patches address security vulnerabilities and expand support for new coins or features. Always install updates via Ledger Live.

Store Recovery Safely

Your recovery phrase unlocks everything. Store it offline — on paper in a secure location, or on a dedicated metal backup designed for seed phrases. Digital backups are especially vulnerable to hacks.

Beware of Scams

Ledger will never ask for your recovery phrase. If a site, email, or message asks you to enter it, it’s almost certainly a scam. Stick to official URLs and verified software sources all the time.

Final Thoughts

Starting at Ledger.com/start gives you a structured, secure journey into managing your cryptocurrencies with confidence. From device verification to Ledger Live setup and recovery phrase education, this official portal helps prevent common pitfalls that can lead to wallet compromise.

Read more