LEDGER.COM/START – NEW USER SETUP GUIDE (UPDATED & REWRITTEN)

Setting up your Ledger hardware wallet correctly is the first and most important step in protecting your digital assets. Whether you own a Ledger Nano X or Ledger Nano S Plus, the official place to begin is Ledger.com/start. This guide provides a fresh, rewritten version with easy instructions, safety recommendations, and everything you need to get your device running securely.

1. WHY START AT LEDGER.COM/START?

Ledger.com/start is the official onboarding page designed to:

  • Help new users install Ledger Live

  • Connect and initialize their Ledger device

  • Learn proper security practices

  • Access setup tutorials and troubleshooting

⚠️ IMPORTANT: Always use Ledger.com/start and NEVER download Ledger software from unofficial websites. This reduces the risk of malware or counterfeit wallet tools.

2. DOWNLOADING AND INSTALLING LEDGER LIVE

Ledger Live is the control center for your hardware wallet. You must install it before doing anything else.

Steps:

  1. Visit Ledger.com/start

  2. Choose your device model

  3. Click Download Ledger Live

  4. Install on Windows, macOS, or Linux

  5. Open the app and choose Set up a new device

Ledger Live allows you to:

  • Manage coins and tokens

  • View your balance and portfolio

  • Install and uninstall apps on your device

  • Send, receive, buy, sell, or stake crypto

3. SETTING UP YOUR LEDGER DEVICE

Once Ledger Live is installed, connect your hardware wallet.

3.1 Create a Secure PIN

The device will ask you to choose a PIN code.
Choose a PIN that:

  • Is difficult to guess

  • Contains 4–8 digits

  • Is NOT reused from any other device

Entering the wrong PIN 3 times resets the device (this is a built-in security feature).

3.2 Generate Your 24-Word Recovery Phrase

Your Ledger device will now generate a unique 24-word Recovery Phrase.
This is the MOST important part of the entire setup.

REMEMBER:

  • Write down ALL 24 words in order

  • Store them in a safe offline location

  • Never store them in emails, photos, or cloud apps

  • Never share the phrase with ANYONE

⚠️ CRITICAL WARNING:
If someone gains access to your recovery phrase, they can permanently steal your entire crypto wallet. Ledger will NEVER ask for your 24 words. Support teams will NEVER ask. Apps or websites should NEVER ask.

3.3 Confirming the Phrase

The device will ask you to confirm the words to ensure you wrote them correctly.
After confirmation, your wallet is officially prepared and secured.

4. INSTALLING CRYPTO APPS ON YOUR DEVICE

Your hardware wallet needs blockchain apps to manage different cryptocurrencies.

To install apps:

  1. Open Ledger Live

  2. Go to My Ledger

  3. Connect and unlock your device

  4. Choose apps like Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, etc.

  5. Install the apps you need

These apps do NOT hold your crypto—your assets always remain on the blockchain, protected by your Ledger.

5. ADDING ACCOUNTS IN LEDGER LIVE

After installing blockchain apps, you must add accounts.

Steps:

  1. Open Ledger Live

  2. Click Accounts

  3. Select Add Account

  4. Choose your crypto (ex: Ethereum)

  5. Approve on your Ledger device

Now you can send and receive assets using Ledger Live.

6. RECEIVING CRYPTO SECURELY

To receive crypto:

  1. Go to Receive

  2. Choose the correct account

  3. Connect the Ledger device

  4. Verify the receiving address on the device screen

  5. Share the address with the sender

ALWAYS check the address on your device, not just the computer.
This protects you from phishing or address-changing malware.

7. SENDING CRYPTO SAFELY

To send crypto:

  1. Go to Send in Ledger Live

  2. Paste the recipient wallet address

  3. Enter amount

  4. Verify details on your Ledger device

  5. Approve the transaction

Your transaction will not be processed unless you physically approve it, which adds an extra layer of protection.

8. ESSENTIAL SECURITY TIPS

Follow these practices to keep your wallet safe:

  • NEVER share your 24-word Recovery Phrase

  • Purchase devices only from Ledger.com or authorized resellers

  • Keep Ledger Live updated

  • Use a hard-to-guess PIN

  • Avoid typing your recovery phrase into websites or apps

  • Consider storing your recovery phrase in multiple secure physical locations

Your security is only as strong as your recovery phrase management.

9. TROUBLESHOOTING COMMON ISSUES

Device Not Recognized by Ledger Live:

  • Try a different USB cable

  • Restart the Ledger Live app

  • Change your USB port

Not Enough Space for Apps:

  • Uninstall unused apps (your funds remain safe)

Forgot PIN:

  • Reset the device and recover using your 24-word phrase

Ledger Live Crashes:

  • Update to the latest version

  • Clear the cache inside Ledger Live settings

10. FINAL OVERVIEW

Starting your setup through Ledger.com/start ensures that you follow the most secure and official path. With your Ledger device, Ledger Live, and your 24-word recovery phrase stored safely offline, you create one of the strongest security barriers available for crypto.

A properly set-up Ledger device protects you from:

  • Online hackers

  • Malware

  • Phishing attempts

  • Unauthorized access

Once your device is fully configured, you can confidently manage your cryptocurrency portfolio knowing your assets are stored with industry-leading security.

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