Welcome to Ledger Start — Securely Begin Your Crypto Journey

Why a hardware wallet matters

When you own cryptocurrency, custody equals responsibility: whoever controls the private keys controls the coins. A hardware wallet stores your private keys in a secure, offline environment so they never touch your everyday computer or phone. That reduces exposure to malware, phishing, and remote attacks — the most common causes of loss for crypto holders.

Ledger devices combine secure elements, a user-friendly setup flow, and compatibility with many blockchains and Web3 apps so you can manage assets without compromising safety.

What you'll need

• A Ledger device (Ledger Nano S Plus, Nano X, or another supported model).
• A computer or smartphone with USB (or Bluetooth for supported models).
• A secure, private place to write down your recovery phrase — ideally offline.
• A few minutes to complete the setup and verify your backup.

Tip: never share your recovery phrase with anyone. Ledger support will never ask for it.

Quick start: setup in 6 steps

1. Unbox and verify: Only use the device and accessories included in the original packaging. Inspect packaging for tampering.
2. Power up and choose a PIN: Follow the on-device prompts to create a PIN. Keep it short and memorable but not easily guessable.
3. Write the recovery phrase: The device will display a 24-word recovery phrase (sometimes 12 or 18 depending on model). Write it on the provided card — do not photograph, screenshot, or store it digitally.
4. Confirm your recovery phrase: The device will ask you to confirm words. This ensures you made a correct copy.
5. Install Ledger Live: Download Ledger Live from the official website and install the companion app to manage accounts and apps.
6. Add accounts and move funds: Use Ledger Live to add blockchain accounts, install the needed apps on your device, and receive or transfer assets.

Best practices for long-term security

Security is a habit. The following practices help reduce risk and protect your holdings:

• Keep your recovery phrase offline, in multiple geographically separated copies if you store large amounts.
• Use a strong, unique PIN and change it if you suspect it's been exposed.
• Beware of phishing: always verify the URL before you enter sensitive information, and use official apps and trusted browser extensions.
• Enable device authentication and firmware updates only from official sources; never trust third-party firmware.
• Limit the information you share about your holdings publicly — privacy reduces your risk profile.

How Ledger protects your keys

Ledger devices isolate private keys inside a certified secure element and present transaction details on the device screen for manual verification. This separation prevents compromised hosts from silently signing transactions because you must physically confirm every operation on the device.

Firmware updates are cryptographically signed so your device only installs authentic, verified releases.

Common FAQ

Q: Can I recover my wallet if my device is lost or damaged?
A: Yes — use your recovery phrase on any compatible wallet to restore access to your accounts.

Q: Is the recovery phrase the same as a password?
A: No — it is the literal seed that generates your private keys. Treat it with higher sensitivity than any password.

Q: Can Ledger support access to all blockchains?
A: Ledger supports a large and growing list of chains and tokens. For niche chains, community tools sometimes enable support — check compatibility in Ledger Live.

Ready to start?

Set up your Ledger device now to gain peace of mind and self-custody over your crypto. Follow the setup steps carefully, verify your backup, and keep your recovery phrase offline. If you manage multiple accounts, consider advanced options like passphrase-protected accounts for layered security.