Ledger Start® | Official Guide to Set Up Your Ledger Device

Setting up a hardware wallet should feel empowering, not intimidating — and that’s exactly what Ledger Start® is designed to accomplish. Whether you're new to crypto or migrating from a different wallet, this guide walks you through every step of preparing your Ledger device safely and confidently. Think of it as the official companion that bridges the gap between opening the box and securing your digital assets with world-class protection.

In this in-depth guide, you’ll learn how to use Ledger Start® to initialize, secure, customize, and fully activate your Ledger device. We’ll also cover common pitfalls, best-practice security routines, and tips that even experienced users often overlook. By the time you reach the end, you’ll know exactly how to get your device ready — and why the setup process truly matters.

Why Setting Up Your Ledger Properly Matters

A hardware wallet is one of the strongest defenses against online threats. Crypto held on exchanges or software wallets can be vulnerable to:

  • Phishing attacks
  • Malware
  • Exchange hacks
  • SIM-swap attacks
  • Weak password leaks

A Ledger device solves these risks by keeping your private keys offline, inside a secure chip. But the key phrase here is “proper setup.” Your device is only as secure as the way you initialize it. Ledger Start® ensures users follow a correct, tamper-proof, and verifiable onboarding process.

What You’ll Need Before You Begin

Before powering on your device, gather the essentials:

✔ Your Ledger device (Nano S Plus, Nano X, or Stax)
 ✔ A computer or smartphone with internet access
 ✔ The official Ledger Start® application
 ✔ A pen (never store recovery phrases digitally)
 ✔ A quiet environment where you can write down your recovery phrase without interruptions

Pro tip: Avoid public places, cameras, or anyone looking over your shoulder when setting up your recovery phrase.

Step 1: Download and Install Ledger Start®

Ledger Start® is the official setup and onboarding tool for new devices. It assists with:

  • Initializing the hardware
  • Updating firmware
  • Completing security checks
  • Linking your device to Ledger Live

Where to download Ledger Start®

Only download from the official Ledger website. Avoid third-party links, modified installers, or app stores offering unofficial versions.

Once installed, open the application. You’ll be greeted with a clean interface guiding you to “Set Up a New Device.”

Step 2: Power On Your Ledger Device

Unbox your Ledger and inspect it carefully. Ledger devices never ship pre-configured. If your device:

  • Already has a PIN,
  • Already has a recovery phrase, or
  • Shows signs of tampering

— stop immediately and contact Ledger support.

How to turn it on

  • Nano X / Nano S Plus: Press the two physical buttons simultaneously.
  • Ledger Stax: Press the power button on the side.

The device walks you through language selection and prompts you to create a PIN.

Step 3: Create Your PIN Code

Your PIN is the first line of defense if your device falls into the wrong hands. Ledger Start® will confirm your device is creating this PIN locally — not over the internet.

Tips for a strong PIN

  • Use 6–8 digits
  • Avoid birthdays or repeated patterns
  • Do not use the same PIN as your phone or bank card
  • Memorize it; don’t store it digitally

If you enter the wrong PIN too many times, the device resets. This is a built-in security feature.

Step 4: Write Down Your Recovery Phrase

This is the most critical part of the entire process. The recovery phrase — 24 unique words — is the sole master key to all crypto stored in your wallet.

Ledger never stores, transmits, or copies this phrase. Once it's displayed on your device, you must write it down exactly as shown.

Rules for storing your recovery phrase safely

  • Write on paper (or a metal recovery sheet for added durability)
  • Store offline, in a safe place
  • Never take photos of it
  • Never type it into a computer, cloud storage, or email
  • Never share it with anyone — not even “support staff”

Scammers often pose as tech support and request your recovery phrase. Legitimate support teams never need it.

Ledger Start® will confirm that you wrote your phrase correctly by asking you to input specific words from the sequence.

Step 5: Complete the Authenticity Check

This ensures your device is genuine. Ledger Start® verifies the Secure Element chip and firmware. If everything checks out, you’ll see confirmation that the device is authentic and ready for use.

If you receive a warning, contact official Ledger support before proceeding.

Step 6: Install Ledger Live and Connect Your Device

While Ledger Start® handles initialization, Ledger Live is where you’ll manage your crypto:

  • Send and receive assets
  • Track portfolio value
  • Install apps (Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, etc.)
  • Stake supported assets
  • Update firmware

Connecting your device

Plug in your Ledger or pair via Bluetooth (Nano X) and follow the prompts. Ledger Live performs one more safety check to confirm that your device setup was completed through Ledger Start®.

Step 7: Install Crypto Apps on Your Ledger

Ledger devices don’t store coins — they store your private keys and manage access. To interact with specific blockchains, you must install their apps.

Examples:

  • Bitcoin
  • Ethereum
  • Polygon
  • Solana
  • BNB Chain
  • XRP
  • Cardano (via third-party app)

To install an app:

  1. Open Ledger Live
  2. Navigate to My Ledger
  3. Select the app you want
  4. Click Install

Apps can be uninstalled without affecting your assets — your funds remain tied to the recovery phrase, not the app itself.

Step 8: Add Accounts in Ledger Live

Once apps are installed, add blockchain accounts to organize your holdings. This creates unique receiving addresses derived from your private keys.

Adding an account

  1. Go to Accounts
  2. Click Add Account
  3. Choose the crypto asset
  4. Verify the address on your Ledger device

Every receiving address must be confirmed on the hardware screen. If the address on your computer ever doesn’t match the one on the device, stop immediately — your computer may be compromised.

Step 9: Receive Your First Crypto Transfer

To receive crypto:

  1. Select the account
  2. Click Receive
  3. Ledger Live generates an address
  4. Verify the address on your device
  5. Share the address only after verifying

Be certain you are sending the right asset to the right network:

  • Sending Bitcoin to an Ethereum address
  • Sending ETH on BSC to an ETH mainnet address

…can permanently result in lost funds.

Step 10: Strengthen Your Long-Term Security

Once everything is set up, take a moment to reinforce your protections. A Ledger is a robust device, but good habits amplify its safety.

Recommended security practices

1. Back up your recovery phrase in multiple secure locations
 A fireproof or waterproof safe is ideal. Consider a metal backup solution.

2. Enable passphrase protection (advanced users only)
 This acts like a “25th word” that creates a hidden wallet.

3. Update firmware regularly
 Ledger Live notifies you when updates are available.

4. Keep your computer malware-free
 Ledger protects private keys, but not the device you plug into.

5. Use a dedicated computer for crypto transactions (optional but safer)

6. Never share your screen when managing your wallet

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Even experienced crypto users slip up. Here are common pitfalls:

Mistake 1: Taking a photo of the recovery phrase

Convenient but deadly — photos sync to cloud accounts.

Mistake 2: Saving your recovery phrase in email or notes apps

Hackers target cloud platforms aggressively.

Mistake 3: Not verifying addresses on your Ledger device

Malware can replace addresses on your computer clipboard.

Mistake 4: Using unofficial software or links

Impostor sites are a major source of asset loss.

Mistake 5: Losing the recovery phrase during a move

Store it in a safe, predictable place.

Why Ledger Start® Is the Easiest and Safest Setup Method

Ledger Start® streamlines and safeguards the onboarding experience by:

  • Providing real-time authenticity checks
  • Confirming secure PIN creation
  • Protecting the recovery phrase setup process
  • Preventing fake or pre-configured device scams
  • Guiding users through official firmware updates

It eliminates guesswork and ensures the device is configured exactly as Ledger engineers intended.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if I lose my PIN?

Reset the device and recover it using your 24-word phrase.

What if I lose my recovery phrase?

There is no way to restore access without it. Treat it like gold.

Can someone hack my Ledger remotely?

Not unless you share your recovery phrase or install malicious software.

Is Bluetooth on the Nano X safe?

Yes — private keys never leave the device, and Bluetooth transmits only public data.

Final Thoughts

Setting up your Ledger device is more than a ritual — it's the foundation of your long-term crypto security. Ledger Start® gives you a structured, safe, and reliable workflow that protects your assets from the moment you unbox your device.

By following each step deliberately and storing your recovery phrase responsibly, you give yourself the peace of mind that only true self-custody provides. Whether you’re holding Bitcoin for years, exploring DeFi, or simply securing long-term savings, your Ledger device is now ready to protect what you’ve built.