Ledger.com/Start® | Getting started — Ledger Support
In the rapidly evolving world of cryptocurrency, security is paramount. As digital assets grow in value and popularity, they become increasingly attractive targets for malicious actors. While software wallets and exchanges offer convenience, they often lack the impenetrable security required for long-term asset storage. This is where hardware wallets come into play, and Ledger stands as the industry standard. If you have recently purchased a Ledger Nano X or Nano S Plus, your journey to financial sovereignty begins at **Ledger.com/start**.
This official portal is designed to guide users through the initialization process, ensuring that your device is set up correctly and securely from day one. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about navigating Ledger.com/start and configuring your new hardware wallet.
### Why Start at Ledger.com/start?
You might be wondering why you cannot simply plug in your device and go. The initialization process is the most critical phase of your wallet’s life. It is the moment where your private keys—the digital codes that prove ownership of your crypto—are generated.
Visiting **Ledger.com/start** ensures that you are downloading the correct, legitimate firmware and software (Ledger Live). In an era of sophisticated phishing scams, sticking to the official source is your first line of defense. This page provides a streamlined, step-by-step wizard that walks you through unboxing to your first transaction, minimizing the risk of user error.
### Preparation: What You Need
Before navigating to the site, ensure you have the following items ready:
1. **Your Ledger Device:** A Nano X or Nano S Plus.
2. **A USB Cable:** Usually included in the box (Nano X also connects via Bluetooth).
3. **A Computer or Smartphone:** You will need to download the Ledger Live app.
4. **The Recovery Phrase Sheet:** This comes in the box. Do not use a piece of scrap paper.
### Step 1: Connecting and Powering On
Once you are at **Ledger.com/start**, the website will prompt you to connect your device. Plug your Ledger into your computer using the USB cable. Press the small button near the USB port (on the Nano S Plus) or the two buttons on the top (on the Nano X) simultaneously to power it on.
The device will display "Welcome to Ledger." Use the right or left buttons to navigate the menus and press both buttons to confirm your selection. Choose the option to "Set up as new device." The website will synchronize with your device and guide you to the next phase.
### Step 2: Configuring the PIN Code
Security begins with a PIN. This code acts as the password to your wallet, required every time you plug the device in.
* **Choose a Strong PIN:** Avoid obvious numbers like "1234" or "0000".
* **The Entry Method:** Unlike a phone keypad, Ledger buttons are used to scroll through numbers (0-9). You must press both buttons to select a number.
* **Confirmation:** You will be asked to enter the PIN a second time to confirm.
Once set, your device is now physically protected. However, the PIN is not the backup; the Recovery Phrase is.
### Step 3: The Critical Step – The Recovery Phrase
This is the most important part of the setup process. Your Ledger device will now generate a unique list of 24 words. This is your **Recovery Phrase** (sometimes called a Seed Phrase). It is the master key to your funds. If your device is lost, broken, or stolen, this phrase is the *only* way you can recover your assets on a new device.
**Strict Rules for the Recovery Phrase:**
* **Write it down:** Use the provided cards in the box. Never type these words into a notes app, a password manager, or take a photo of them. Digital storage exposes them to hackers.
* **Order matters:** Write down the words in the exact order presented on the screen (Word 1, Word 2, etc.).
* **Keep it offline:** Store the written cards in a safe, secure location like a fireproof safe. Never share these words with anyone, not even Ledger support staff. Legitimate support will *never* ask for your seed phrase.
After writing them down, the device will ask you to verify the words by selecting them on the screen in the correct order. Do not skip this verification step.
### Step 4: Installing Ledger Live
With the device initialized, you need an interface to manage your assets. Return to your computer browser at **Ledger.com/start**. The site will automatically detect your operating system (Windows, Mac, or Linux) or prompt you to download the mobile app for iOS/Android.
Download and install the Ledger Live application. Once installed, open it and select "Get Started." You will be given the option to "Initialize a new Ledger device." Since you have already done this on the hardware itself, simply follow the on-screen prompts to pair your device with the app.
### Step 5: Installing Apps and Adding Accounts
Ledger Live acts as the dashboard, but the Ledger device holds the keys. To send or receive specific cryptocurrencies (like Bitcoin, Ethereum, or Solana), you must install the corresponding app on your hardware wallet.
1. Open the "Manager" tab in Ledger Live.
2. Connect and unlock your Ledger device.
3. Find the cryptocurrency you want to manage in the app store and click "Install."
4. Allow the installation to complete on your device.
Once installed, go to the "Accounts" section in Ledger Live and click "Add Account." Select the currency, and Ledger Live will display your public address. You are now ready to deposit funds.
### Best Security Practices
Now that your wallet is set up via **Ledger.com/start**, maintaining that security is vital. Be wary of "phishing" emails that look like they come from Ledger but ask for your 24 words. Remember the golden rule: **Your Recovery Phrase must remain offline and known only to you.**
By starting at **Ledger.com/start** and carefully following these steps, you have taken the most significant step toward protecting your digital wealth. You are no longer relying on a third-party exchange; you are the sole owner of your crypto, secured by the world’s leading hardware wallet technology.