A good start makes
all the difference.
Getting started with a Ledger device is a straightforward process when you follow the official setup path and keep one principle in mind: your recovery phrase belongs to you, and only you. Use this guide alongside Ledger.com/start to prepare your device, set it up carefully, and understand what happens at each step.
A note before you begin
This article is an independent getting-started overview. For device-specific instructions and current software, confirm each step on Ledger’s official website and in the official Ledger application.
Before you begin
Set aside a few quiet minutes and choose a private place where you can focus. Have your Ledger device, its supplied recovery sheet, and a computer or phone ready. Use a trusted internet connection and make sure your device has enough power. If you purchased your device through a reseller, review Ledger’s official guidance for checking the package and device before proceeding.
Never use a recovery phrase that someone has already written down for you. Your phrase must be generated by the device during your own setup. If a card in the box contains words, or a person asks you to share your phrase, stop and consult Ledger’s security guidance before continuing.
Visit Ledger.com/start
Type ledger.com/start directly into your browser’s address bar rather than following an unexpected message or advertisement. Check the spelling and confirm the page uses Ledger’s official domain. The start page provides the current path to compatible software and setup directions; options can change as products and applications are updated.
Follow only the instructions shown by the official page and your device. Avoid unofficial downloads, browser add-ons, or remote assistance from strangers. If a step looks different from this guide, the current official instructions take priority. A small pause to verify the source is part of a good setup, not a delay.
Install Ledger Wallet
From Ledger.com/start, follow the link for Ledger Wallet, the official companion application for managing supported assets and device settings. Download it only through a destination linked by Ledger or a verified official app store listing. Check the publisher and application details before installing; names and icons can be imitated.
Open the application after installation and allow it to finish any requested updates. Connect your device using the cable or wireless method supported by your model. Approve connection prompts on the device itself, and keep the device firmware and application current through their official update flows. Do not approve a prompt you did not initiate or understand.
Initialize your device
Choose the option to set up a new device if this is your first use. Your Ledger device will guide you through creating a personal PIN. Select a PIN that is difficult for another person to guess, but that you can enter reliably. Shield the screen when entering it, and remember that someone who can access your unlocked device may be able to use it.
Read each prompt on the device screen. Buttons on the device are used to review and confirm actions, keeping sensitive approvals separate from your computer or phone. Do not confirm transactions, settings, or addresses that you did not intend to review. If you are restoring an existing wallet rather than starting fresh, stop and follow Ledger’s official recovery instructions for your exact model.
Protect your recovery phrase
During new-device setup, the device displays a recovery phrase, usually a sequence of words. This phrase is a critical backup: anyone who obtains it may be able to access the associated assets, even without your physical device. Carefully write the words in order on the supplied recovery sheet, checking each one against the device. Store that sheet somewhere private, secure, and protected from damage.
Never photograph, scan, email, message, or enter the phrase into a website, computer, or phone. Ledger support will not need you to disclose it. Do not store it in a cloud account or share it with a friend, helper, or support agent. The device may test that you recorded the phrase correctly; complete that check directly on the device. If you believe the words have been exposed, consult Ledger’s official guidance promptly and consider professional advice before taking action.
Connect and add accounts
Once setup is complete, use Ledger Wallet to add an account for an asset supported by your device and region. The application may ask you to install the relevant app on the device first. Select the asset you actually intend to use, follow the displayed steps, and approve installation or account creation on the device when prompted. Availability and network support vary, so check the current official list.
Before receiving assets, create a receiving address in the application and compare the full address shown on your computer or phone with the address displayed on your Ledger screen. Confirm it on the device only when every character matches. The device display is the trusted check. A copied address can be replaced by malicious software, so never rely on a familiar-looking first or last character alone.
Make a small test
If you plan to receive or send digital assets, begin with an amount you can afford to risk and confirm that the network, address, and asset are correct. Transactions may be irreversible, and network fees may apply. Review the complete transaction details in Ledger Wallet and on your device before approving. Never approve a transaction because someone is pressuring you or promising a guaranteed return.
For a first transfer, a modest test can help you understand the process before considering a larger amount. Wait for the network to confirm it, and remember that confirmation times differ. Ledger devices help you control approvals; they do not remove market, network, or user error risks. Learn the basics of each asset and network before moving funds.
Keep your device ready
Store your device and recovery sheet separately in places you control. Keep your PIN private, apply application and firmware updates only through official channels, and review the on-device details each time you approve an action. If you stop using the device for a while, retain the recovery phrase securely and make sure you understand the official recovery process for your model.
Good self-custody is a habit rather than a one-time setup. Bookmark Ledger.com/start, revisit Ledger’s current security guidance when procedures change, and ask questions through official support channels without ever disclosing your recovery phrase. By taking the process one clear step at a time, you can begin with a better understanding of what your device does—and of the responsibilities that remain yours.
Common questions.
Where should I download the companion application?
Start at Ledger.com/start and follow its current official download directions. Verify the publisher and avoid links from unexpected messages.
Can anyone help me with my recovery phrase?
Keep the phrase private. Do not share it with anyone, including a person claiming to provide support. Use the official on-device instructions for setup and recovery.
What if the steps on my screen look different?
Pause and check the latest official Ledger instructions for your particular device and software version before you continue.
Use Ledger’s official start page for the latest instructions for your device.
This guide is educational and is not financial, investment, or technical support advice. Always verify current product instructions through Ledger’s official resources.