01 / ORIENTATION
The starting point
Searching for Ledger.com/start usually means you have a new device in hand—or you’re ready to make a more considered plan for the digital assets you already manage.
A dedicated starting point gives that first session a useful shape. Rather than piecing together advice from search results, social posts and old bookmarks, you can approach setup in a clear sequence: prepare the device, follow its official instructions, understand recovery, and only then decide how you want to organize your accounts.
The page you are reading is an independent editorial guide. It is not an official Ledger setup portal, and it cannot verify a device or replace the instructions supplied by Ledger. Use it to orient yourself, then navigate to Ledger’s official website by typing its address yourself or using a trusted bookmark. Be cautious of sponsored search results and look-alike addresses.
“Good setup is not a race to the last screen. It is a chance to understand what each decision means.”A NOTE BEFORE YOU BEGIN
02 / BEFORE YOU START
Preparation is part
of the protection.
A calm, uninterrupted setting makes it easier to notice what the device is asking you to do. Set aside enough time to read each prompt rather than trying to finish between errands. Keep the device, its supplied materials, and a pen and paper nearby if the official instructions call for recording recovery information.
Use a personal computer or phone you trust, with its operating system up to date. Make sure you can access the internet and have a secure place where you can work privately. You do not need to share sensitive information with another person to get help understanding the general process.
Bring curiosity, not assumptions
Know which assets you are interested in managing, but remember that networks, account support and app availability can differ. Check current compatibility through official product resources before sending anything. If you are moving assets from another service, understand the network and destination details before you initiate a transfer.
03 / THE SEQUENCE
The setup journey
Exact screens can change as software evolves, so treat the manufacturer’s on-screen prompts as authoritative. The broader journey, however, is easier to follow when thought of as a handful of distinct decisions—not one long installation ritual.
01 Begin with the device
Follow the official instructions to power on and initialize your device. If you are setting up a new wallet, read the prompts and make choices directly on the device where required. Do not accept a recovery phrase supplied in a message, printed in a box, or displayed by a website as if it were yours. A recovery phrase should be created through the device’s own guided process.
02 Pair with official software
When the setup flow asks you to use a companion application, obtain it through Ledger’s official channels. Check the publisher and web address carefully. Pair the hardware wallet according to the instructions; entering a recovery phrase into a computer or phone is not a normal way to pair or unlock a hardware wallet.
03 Organize before moving value
Learn how accounts and supported networks are represented in the app. Add only what you need, and verify that the asset and network match your intended use. You can take time to understand the interface before receiving or sending funds. When you do make a transaction, review its details on the trusted device screen—not only on the connected computer.
That separation between connected screens and device confirmation is a useful mental model: software helps you prepare an action; your hardware device is where you independently inspect and approve it.
04 / KEEPING CONTROL
Security matters
after setup, too.
Your recovery information is the most sensitive part of the process. Anyone who gets it may be able to access the assets associated with it. Keep it private, offline and protected from loss, damage and unauthorized viewing. Never photograph it, store it in a notes app or cloud drive, or type it into a support chat, email, search box or website.
There is no legitimate reason for someone helping you online to ask you to disclose your recovery phrase. Treat any request for it as a serious warning, including messages that appear urgent or use a familiar brand’s name. Support staff cannot safely take custody of it for you.
Verify what you are approving
Pause at the device screen. Check the recipient, address, network and transaction details against what you intended to do. If anything differs, stop and investigate through a trusted route. Use a fresh official bookmark instead of following links in unexpected messages, and keep both device firmware and companion software current by following official update guidance.
Self-custody brings responsibility along with control. A recovery plan should account for both secrecy and durability, and should be understandable to you without making the secret accessible to others.
05 / AVOID THE SHORTCUTS
Beginner mistakes
Rushing through prompts. Setup is a poor moment for multitasking. Read each screen, and stop if something is unclear rather than guessing.
Trusting a search result too quickly. Search listings and social profiles can be imitated. Reach the official site deliberately; verify the address before downloading software or following instructions.
Sharing recovery information to “fix” a problem. A stranger may frame the request as verification, migration or troubleshooting. Keep the phrase secret in every circumstance, and use official support channels without disclosing it.
Skipping transaction checks. A familiar asset name alone does not confirm a network or destination. Review transaction details on your device, and consider a small test transfer when appropriate before moving a larger amount.
Assuming the wallet handles everything. A wallet does not remove the need to evaluate applications, links, assets and counterparties. Take time to understand each new interaction, even after the initial setup is complete.
06 / THE LAST WORD
Start slowly.
Stay in control.
Getting started is a sequence of understandable choices: use a trusted route to official instructions, prepare a quiet place to work, initialize the device as directed, protect recovery information, and verify each transaction on the device itself.
You do not have to master every corner of crypto before beginning. You do need to recognize what must remain private, know where trusted instructions come from, and give yourself permission to pause. A careful first setup is not a finish line; it is the foundation for safer habits over time.