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Get Started with Ledger | Ledger.com/start - Official Setup Guide

Get Started with Ledger | Ledger.com/start - Official Setup Guide

The transition to secure self-custody starts at **Ledger.com/start**. This URL is the certified and official entry point designed to provide every Ledger hardware signer owner (Nano S Plus, Nano X, Ledger Stax, etc.) with the guaranteed correct procedures and authenticated software required for a safe setup. By beginning your journey here, you protect yourself from common phishing attempts and ensure your digital assets are secured using Ledger's industry-leading technology.

Ledger’s security architecture is built on the absolute principle of **private key isolation**. Your private keys—the cryptographic proof of ownership—are generated, stored, and used exclusively offline within the device's certified Secure Element chip. The **Ledger Wallet™ App** (referred to as Ledger Live™), which you will download via this official starting point, acts as the secure, user-friendly interface. It allows you to view your portfolio, manage accounts, and initiate transactions, but the crucial act of signing (authorizing) a transaction always requires physical confirmation on your offline hardware device.

This comprehensive guide walks you through the initial steps: downloading the official Ledger Live application, initializing your device by setting a PIN, generating and securing your 24-word Secret Recovery Phrase, and validating your device's authenticity.

1. Download the Official Ledger Wallet App (Ledger Live)

1. Essential Pre-Setup Preparation

A successful and secure setup begins with careful preparation. Ensure you have the necessary items and a private, uninterrupted environment to perform the critical key generation steps.

Mandatory Setup Checklist

  • **Genuine Ledger Hardware Signer:** Must be purchased directly from Ledger or an authorized, verified retailer.
  • **Original Recovery Sheets:** The blank, numbered cards provided in your Ledger box.
  • **A Pen:** Necessary for permanently and legibly recording your Secret Recovery Phrase.
  • **A Desktop Computer:** Recommended for the initial secure setup, firmware installation, and stability during the critical steps.
🛑 **Crucial Security Warning:** If your Ledger box shows any signs of having been opened, or if it contains a pre-written or pre-printed **24-word Secret Recovery Phrase**, **DO NOT USE THE DEVICE.** Your security may be compromised. Immediately contact Ledger Support. A secure Ledger device will always require you to generate and record the phrase yourself.

2. Installing the Official Ledger Wallet App

The Ledger Wallet App (Ledger Live) is the secure bridge between your hardware signer and the blockchain. Always use the official download link provided on **Ledger.com/start** to guarantee the integrity of the software.

  1. **Click the Official Link:** Use the provided link to download the latest Ledger Live application for your desktop operating system (Windows, macOS, or Linux).
  2. **Install and Launch:** Run the downloaded installer file. Follow the installation prompts and then open the application.
  3. **Begin Setup:** On the welcome screen, select **"Set up a new device"** and choose your specific Ledger model (e.g., Nano X). Ledger Live will guide you through connecting your physical device.

3. Device Initialization: PIN and Secret Recovery Phrase

This is the most sensitive phase, where the device generates your unique cryptographic keys. **This process must be performed entirely on the Ledger device's physical screen, completely disconnected from any online input.**

Steps Performed Directly on the Ledger Device

  1. **Connect and Activate:** Connect your Ledger device to your computer via USB. The device will prompt you to set up your security features.
  2. **Set PIN Code:** Use the device's buttons to select and confirm a unique 4-to-8 digit PIN code. This PIN is your first layer of defense, protecting the device from unauthorized physical access.
  3. **Generate and Secure the 24-Word Master Key:** The device screen will display your **24-word Secret Recovery Phrase** sequentially. You **MUST** write these words down accurately, in the correct numbered order, using a pen on the provided Recovery Sheets. **Never digitize, photograph, or store this phrase on a computer or cloud service.**
  4. **Phrase Confirmation:** The Ledger device will then prompt you to confirm random words from the phrase (e.g., word #9, word #24). You must select the correct word using the device's physical buttons. This critical step verifies the accuracy of your recording before finalizing the setup.

Your Secret Recovery Phrase is your ultimate, unchangeable backup. **Store the written sheets in a highly secure, private location, protected from fire, water, and theft.** Its loss means permanent loss of funds if your device is compromised or lost.

4. The Absolute Security Guarantee: Ledger Genuine Check

After initialization, Ledger Live performs a mandatory, cryptographic check to ensure your device is an authentic product from Ledger and running the official, uncompromised Ledger OS firmware.

  1. **Initiate Check:** In Ledger Live, follow the on-screen instructions to begin the **Genuine Check**.
  2. **Authorize Manager:** Unlock your Ledger device with your PIN. The device screen will display a message asking for permission (e.g., **"Allow Ledger Manager?"**).
  3. **Physical Confirmation:** Press both physical buttons on your Ledger device to authorize the cryptographic handshake.
  4. **Verification Result:** Ledger Live will communicate with Ledger’s secure server and definitively confirm: **"Your Ledger device is genuine."** This guarantees the integrity of your security foundation.

5. Manager and Accounts: Portfolio Synchronization

With your device initialized and verified, you can now use the **Manager** tab to install the necessary blockchain applications and the **Accounts** tab to start viewing your assets.

Device Management and Account Setup

  • **Firmware and App Installation:** Navigate to the **"Manager"** tab. Here, you can install the specific applications (e.g., the Bitcoin app, the Ethereum app) for the cryptocurrencies you want to hold. Always use this section to update your Ledger OS firmware.
  • **Add Accounts:** Go to the **"Accounts"** tab and click **"+ Add account."** Select the cryptocurrency, and then open the corresponding app on your physical Ledger device.
  • **Synchronization:** Ledger Live securely communicates with your device, scans the public blockchain, and finds the accounts associated with your device’s keys, displaying your balance in the main **"Portfolio"** dashboard.

6. Confident Transactions: The Clear Signing Protocol

The security provided by Ledger is enforced with every transaction, ensuring your assets are protected from online threats even when transferring funds.

  • **Secure Receiving:** When generating a receive address, you are always required to **verify the address on your Ledger device's secure screen**. This prevents malware from substituting a fraudulent address on your computer screen.
  • **Clear Signing (Sending):** When initiating a transfer, your device requires you to **manually confirm the recipient address, the exact amount, and the transaction fees** on its physical screen before signing the transaction. This "What You See Is What You Sign" (WYSIWYS) process ensures complete control and transparency.

Congratulations! By starting at **Ledger.com/start**, you have successfully completed the secure setup process. You are now the sole, secure custodian of your digital assets.

Explore the full range of features offered by the Ledger Wallet App: Securely Buy, Swap, Stake, and manage your NFTs.