01 / Orientation
What is Ledger.com/start for?
A setup page is a starting point—not a shortcut around careful security. Ledger.com/start is intended to direct new users toward device setup and the software needed to manage supported accounts. The exact steps and available features can differ by device model, software version, operating system, and region, so use current official instructions for your specific product.
This guide adds context for the decisions around setup: what to have ready, how to recognize a safer workflow, and where beginners often make avoidable mistakes. It is not an official Ledger resource, a substitute for product documentation, or financial advice. Never rely on a third-party article for a security-critical instruction when the official source is available.
A useful rule: use this page to understand the process, then verify device-specific steps at Ledger’s official start page and its linked support documentation.
02 / Preparation
Prepare before you connect
Set aside unhurried time and choose a place where you can focus. Start with the hardware wallet, its in-box materials, and a computer or phone that you control. Update the device you plan to use, secure it with a screen lock, and connect to a trusted network. Avoid public or shared computers, borrowed phones, and links sent unexpectedly through direct messages.
Find Ledger’s official website by typing the address yourself or using a known bookmark. Check the domain carefully before downloading an app or following an instruction. Search ads, lookalike websites, unsolicited support accounts, and QR codes can lead somewhere other than the source you intended. If a page asks you to disclose a recovery phrase, stop: do not enter or send those words.
Make a simple setup space
- Keep the wallet, a private place to record its recovery information, and the official instructions nearby.
- Use a personal, updated device and a network you trust.
- Allow enough time to read prompts on both the wallet and companion software.
- Do not share a photo, cloud copy, message, or online note containing recovery words.
03 / The process
A general setup sequence
Use this as an orientation only. Follow the current on-screen and official product instructions for the exact prompts, wording, and available features on your device.
- 01
Check the source and device
Open the official setup destination directly. Review the device and packaging for anything that looks unexpected, then consult official support if you are unsure. Do not assume a third-party setup guide can confirm device authenticity.
- 02
Install the companion software
Download the desktop or mobile software only through the official route for your operating system. Check the publisher and requested permissions. Do not install a wallet app from a message, file-sharing link, or unverified app listing.
- 03
Follow prompts on the device
Read setup options on the wallet itself and confirm only actions you understand. Create a new wallet or restore one only according to official directions. A recovery phrase belongs to its owner; never ask another person to generate or retain it for you.
- 04
Pair, then add only what you need
Connect the wallet to the companion app using its supported process. Add accounts for the networks or assets you actually plan to use. App menus and supported features change over time, so check the current official compatibility information first.
- 05
Verify before using an account
Compare addresses and transaction details on the wallet’s own screen, not only on your computer or phone. Begin cautiously, understand fees and network selection, and confirm the destination before approving any transfer.
Software and devices evolve. Menu names, supported operating systems, and setup flows may change. Confirm compatibility and the latest steps using official product help before proceeding.
04 / Security
Protect the recovery information
The recovery phrase is a sensitive backup that may provide access to the assets associated with a wallet. Treat it like a master key. Write it down only as instructed by the device, keep the written record private and physically secure, and do not photograph, scan, type, or store it in email, cloud storage, a password manager, or chat.
Legitimate support should not need you to reveal the phrase. Anyone who obtains it may be able to take control, and transactions made by an unauthorized person may be difficult or impossible to reverse. A request to “validate,” “sync,” or “secure” a wallet by entering the phrase into a website or app is a reason to stop and verify independently through official support.
Pause when something feels wrong
Urgency is a common pressure tactic. Stop if an instruction asks you to share secret words, approve an unfamiliar transaction, disable security protections, or install remote-access software. Close the page, do not follow its contact details, and navigate separately to an official help channel. Never approve a transaction you cannot explain in your own words.
05 / Avoidable errors
Common beginner mistakes
Trusting the first search result
Promoted results and lookalike domains can imitate a familiar brand. Type the official address yourself and check each URL.
Putting recovery words online
No online form, support agent, or troubleshooting page should receive your secret phrase. Keep it offline and private.
Rushing a confirmation
Read the destination, asset, network, and amount shown on the wallet before approving. If any detail differs, cancel and recheck.
Confusing accounts or networks
Availability and address formats vary. Verify compatibility and network details from trustworthy, current documentation.
06 / Before you begin
A beginner’s setup checklist
Use this short list to make sure you are ready. Checkboxes are local to this page and do not save your selections.
07 / Quick answers
Frequently asked questions
Is this an official Ledger setup website?
No. This is an independent educational guide and is not operated by, affiliated with, or endorsed by Ledger. Use official product instructions for setup decisions and security-critical details.
Can I use this guide instead of the official instructions?
No. It offers general context, not device-specific directions. Follow the current official steps for your particular wallet, software version, and operating system.
Should I ever type my recovery phrase into an app or website?
Do not disclose recovery words to a website, app, support agent, or another person. If a setup screen asks for them, stop and verify the situation using official documentation before taking any action.
What should I do if I see a suspicious prompt?
Do not approve it or share information. Close the page or app, preserve your privacy, and find official support independently—do not use contact details supplied by the suspicious message.
Are every asset and network available on every device?
Not necessarily. Supported accounts, assets, operating systems, and workflows can vary and change. Confirm current compatibility through official sources before relying on a feature.
A considered next step
Go slowly. Verify independently.
Good setup habits are mostly about attention: use trusted sources, keep recovery information private, and check the details displayed on your device before you confirm an action. When instructions conflict or you are unsure, pause and consult current official documentation rather than guessing.
Visit Ledger.com/startIndependent resource: This page provides general educational information only. It is not an official Ledger property, product support, or financial advice. Product features and instructions can change; verify important steps directly through Ledger’s official sources.