Authoritative getting‑started reference • Windows & macOS • Hardware‑verified approvals
Ledger.com/Start® — Professional Onboarding for Self‑Custody
Use this structured guide to initialize your Ledger hardware wallet, protect your recovery phrase, install and connect Ledger Live, and adopt professional routines for sending, receiving, swapping, and staking crypto. Each section is written in plain English and aligned to security best practices so you can move from first setup to daily operations with confidence.
Executive Summary
Ledger.com/Start® is the official onboarding path for new and returning Ledger users. You’ll configure your device, learn how approvals work, and connect to Ledger Live—the desktop application that visualizes accounts and prepares transactions. Private keys are generated and stored inside the secure element of your Ledger device, and every sensitive action is approved on the device screen. If details differ between the app and the device, you cancel—no funds move.
Audience: Individuals safeguarding personal holdings, teams setting up treasury procedures, and professionals seeking repeatable, audit‑friendly workflows.
Outcomes: A correctly initialized device, a protected recovery phrase, verified receive addresses, and a daily operating routine that reduces risk without adding friction.
Time to complete: ~30 minutes for a first device; less for subsequent devices and accounts.
Key Principles
Scope
- Initial device setup (PIN, recovery phrase, optional passphrase).
- Ledger Live installation and first‑time connection.
- Account creation, first receive, first send.
- Core operations: buy, sell, swap, stake (where available).
- Security model, compliance basics, and incident response.
Prerequisites
- Genuine Ledger device (e.g., Nano series) in sealed packaging—no printed seed words included.
- Desktop computer (Windows or macOS), a reliable internet connection, and a quality USB cable or official Bluetooth where supported.
- Quiet space to write and store your 24‑word recovery phrase—offline, out of view.
- Optional: metal backup for long‑term storage of the recovery phrase.
Terminology
Recovery phrase: A 24‑word backup that can recreate your keys on a compatible device. Treat it like cash.
Account: A view of addresses/paths for a specific network (e.g., Bitcoin, Ethereum) derived from your keys.
Readable signing: Device prompts that display destination, amount, network, and fees in human language.
Setup — Standard Operating Procedure (SOP)
1) Inspect & Unbox
Check packaging integrity. Ledger does not ship devices with prefilled recovery phrases. If you find printed seed words, stop and contact support. Only your device should generate the phrase.
2) Power On & Set PIN
Choose a PIN that is memorable yet unpredictable. Enable auto‑lock. This protects the device if misplaced and blocks opportunistic access.
3) Generate Recovery Phrase
Write each word carefully, in order, on the provided cards (or a metal backup). Double‑check spelling. Store in separate, safe locations to reduce single‑point risk.
4) Install Ledger Live
Download for Windows or macOS from the official source. Ledger Live organizes accounts, prepares transactions, and surfaces fees. Private keys never leave your device.
5) Add Accounts
Open the matching app on your device (e.g., Bitcoin, Ethereum), then add accounts in Ledger Live. This ensures correct derivation paths and prevents network mix‑ups.
6) First Receive (Test)
Click Receive in Ledger Live, verify the full address on your device, and send a tiny test from another wallet or exchange. After confirmation, proceed with the full amount.
Optional Hardening
- Create separate accounts for long‑term holdings vs. daily spending.
- Use the address book to avoid manual copy/paste for frequent recipients.
- Enable app lock and require device approvals for sensitive settings.
- Consider a passphrase for advanced compartmentalization (expert feature).
Daily Operations
Portfolio & Reporting
Review allocation, performance, and history across supported assets. Filter by account or label. Export CSVs for bookkeeping and audits. Take periodic snapshots of balances for records.
Send & Receive
- Prefer address‑book entries; avoid retyping addresses.
- Verify destination and network on the device screen before approval.
- For new routes, start with a tiny probe transaction.
Swap, Bridge & Buy/Sell
Where available, compare quotes, fees, and timing up front. Ledger Live presents details before you approve on‑device. Cancel freely if something changes or looks unfamiliar.
Staking
Delegate to validators with clear visibility into commission, reward cadence, lockups, and risks. Track rewards inside Ledger Live and redelegate where supported.
NFTs & dApps
Connect to compatible applications with the same guardrails: human‑readable signing and on‑device approvals. If any site requests your recovery phrase, exit immediately—this is a scam.
Accessibility & Performance
Clear contrast, keyboard navigation, and predictable layouts reduce cognitive load. The desktop app is tuned for large portfolios and long histories on modest hardware.
Security Model
Security is layered by design. Ledger Live visualizes data and prepares transactions; your Ledger device authorizes them with physical confirmation. This split eliminates many classes of remote compromise and phishing.
Operational Controls
- Verify on device screens for every send, swap, stake, or setting change.
- Keep firmware and Ledger Live updated for the latest protections.
- Store recovery phrases offline, ideally with durable backups.
- Label accounts and transactions to prevent confusion later.
Common Threats & Mitigations
Clipboard hijacking: Malware replaces addresses—counter by verifying on‑device. Phishing pages: Fake download/support links—counter by bookmarking official sources and avoiding ads. Blind signing: Unclear prompts—counter by cancelling and using readable signing. Premade seed cards: Never use printed seed words—only device‑generated phrases are valid.
Compliance & Recordkeeping
Good records reduce stress at tax time and support internal controls for teams. Use labels consistently, export CSV statements, and retain transaction IDs. Note counterparties and purposes for significant transfers.
Minimal Working Checklist
- Maintain a running ledger: date, asset, amount, tx ID, counterparty.
- Export monthly CSVs from Ledger Live and archive them securely.
- Capture validator selections and fee schedules for staking positions.
- Document migration steps when moving off exchanges.
Incident Response
- Pause. If anything seems off, cancel pending actions immediately.
- Isolate. Disconnect the device; restart Ledger Live; scan your computer with reputable tools.
- Verify. Compare recent addresses and approvals with your records.
- Restore if needed. Use your recovery phrase on a new compatible device only if the current device is lost, damaged, or untrusted.
Troubleshooting
Device Connects but Accounts Don’t Appear
Open the matching app on the device (e.g., Bitcoin, Ethereum) and refresh accounts. Ensure firmware and Ledger Live are up to date.
Unexpected Prompts
Cancel, recheck network and recipient, and try again via a known route. Disable interfering extensions; use a short, high‑quality cable.
Lost or Damaged Device
Your crypto remains on‑chain. Restore on a new compatible device using your recovery phrase. Never enter the phrase on a computer.
Performance Tips
- Close apps that may hook USB connections during setup.
- Restart Ledger Live after major updates to ensure clean sessions.
- For Bluetooth models, pair in a low‑interference environment.
Pre‑Flight Checklist
- 📦 Packaging intact; no printed seed words included.
- 🔐 Unique PIN set; auto‑lock enabled.
- 📝 24‑word recovery phrase recorded and stored offline.
- 💻 Ledger Live installed from official source; app lock enabled.
- 📚 Address book populated; first recipients verified on‑device.
- 🧪 Probe transactions completed for new routes.
- 🗂️ Labels applied; CSV exports archived.
Download Ledger Live & Begin at Ledger.com/Start®
Install the official desktop app, connect your Ledger device, and complete this onboarding flow. Keep both firmware and the app up to date to benefit from the latest protections and asset support.
Always obtain installers from the official website. If you verify checksums, compare them to the published values before running installers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ledger.com/Start® a separate app?
No. It’s the official starting point that pairs your Ledger device with the Ledger Live desktop application.
Can I view balances without the device connected?
Yes—after you add accounts. For sending, swapping, staking, or changing settings, reconnect your device to approve on‑device.
What if my device is lost or damaged?
Funds remain on‑chain. Restore on a new compatible device using your 24‑word recovery phrase—never on a computer.
Which assets and features are supported?
Availability varies by asset, partner, and region. Within Ledger Live, check the latest options for buy, sell, swap, bridge, and staking.
How do I keep organized for taxes?
Use labels consistently, export CSVs monthly, and log counterparties and purposes for significant transactions.