Ledger Start is a concise path that gets you from curious to confidently in control of your cryptocurrency holdings. This page walks through what Ledger protects, why hardware matters, and how to complete setup in under 10 minutes.
Ledger devices isolate your private keys inside a secure chip. Transactions are signed inside the device so your keys never touch the internet — a critical defense against remote theft and malware.
Ledger combines audited firmware and widely adopted cryptographic standards so you benefit from transparency and continuous security reviews by independent researchers.
Manage Bitcoin, Ethereum, and thousands of tokens and NFTs through Ledger Live and third-party integrations. One device, many ecosystems.
If your device is lost or damaged, you can restore access using a secure recovery phrase you write down during setup — no centralized account lockout or KYC required.
Get started — Setup guideSupport & resources
Unbox & inspect. Confirm the device packaging and tamper-evident seals are intact. Ledger devices ship with a recovery sheet and a USB cable; keep the box for records.
Initialize the device. Follow on-screen prompts to create a new wallet. The device will generate a 24-word recovery phrase; write it down exactly on the supplied card — never store it digitally.
Install Ledger Live. Download Ledger Live on your desktop or mobile and pair your device. Ledger Live helps you add accounts, check balances, and apply firmware updates when necessary.
Manage assets. Use Ledger Live or trusted third-party wallets to send and receive coins. Confirm every transaction on the device itself — that verification step prevents remote tampering.
Backup & protect. Store your recovery phrase securely, ideally in two separate physical locations. Consider additional protections like fireproof storage or a safety deposit box for long-term holdings.
Ledger hardware strengthens security, but it does not replace good habits. Never share your 24-word recovery phrase. Ledger employees or support will never ask for your recovery phrase or private keys. Always verify addresses on the device screen before confirming a transaction. If you must store a backup digitally for any reason, use extreme caution: encrypted offline storage only and layered encryption keys that you control.
Yes. Use the recovery phrase created during setup to restore your accounts on another Ledger device or a compatible, reputable wallet that supports the same recovery standard. Always verify the integrity of any recovery app you use.
No. The device signs transactions offline. You do need internet on your host (phone/PC) to broadcast signed transactions and to install updates or use Ledger Live features that fetch market data.
Firmware updates address security and feature improvements. Ledger Live will prompt you; apply updates only from official Ledger Live software. Updates never reveal your recovery phrase — that stays private on the device.
If you already have a device, proceed to the step-by-step setup. If you are deciding which model suits you, compare features and choose the device that fits your security needs and daily workflow.
Pro tip: for high-value long-term holdings, use a secure, offline storage plan and split backups across trusted locations. For frequent trading, keep a small hot wallet for day-to-day use and the bulk of your assets on the Ledger device.
This page is a concise guide to help you start with Ledger hardware. For detailed, model-specific instructions and official downloads, always refer to the support documentation provided by Ledger.
© Ledger Start — content written for onboarding clarity.