Ledger.com/Start® | Starting Up Your Device — Quick Guide

A colorful 1500-word quick-start guide to get your Ledger device running securely. Covers unboxing, Ledger Live, firmware, PIN & recovery phrase, passphrase options, accounts, sending/receiving, security best practices and practical troubleshooting — with highlighted sections for clarity.

Quick Safety Checklist

Before you begin: verify package integrity, download Ledger Live only from ledger.com/start, and prepare a safe offline place to write your recovery phrase.

Official Download

ledger.com/start

Backup

Write recovery phrase on paper/metal

Model

Ledger Nano S / Nano X

1. Unboxing and Inspection

Your box should include the Ledger device, a USB cable, recovery sheets, and documentation. Check seals for tampering. If the box or tamper-evident elements look compromised, do not proceed — contact Ledger support or your vendor.

2. Install Ledger Live

Ledger Live is the official management app. Download it from the official site and install it on your computer or mobile device. Ledger Live manages firmware updates, account setup, portfolio overview, and secure transactions.

  • Open Ledger Live and complete the initial setup wizard.
  • Choose to install the latest firmware when prompted (see next section for details).
  • Create a Ledger Live password to protect local app data (does not replace device PIN).

3. Firmware & Device Authenticity

When connecting your device, Ledger Live may prompt a firmware update. Always install firmware via Ledger Live. Verify the device's attestation message and follow prompts on the device screen to ensure authenticity and protect against tampered devices.

4. Create a PIN

Set a PIN on the device to prevent unauthorized physical use. Keep it memorable but not trivial. The PIN is entered on the device itself — this mitigates keyloggers and compromised hosts.

5. Recovery Phrase — Your Master Backup

Ledger will generate a 24-word recovery phrase during initialization (Nano S may use 24 words; follow prompts). This phrase is the master key to your wallet — anyone with it can recreate your accounts.

  • Write the phrase in order on the provided cards or a hardened metal backup.
  • Store copies in geographically separated, secure locations (safe deposit boxes, locked safes).
  • Never store the phrase digitally, photograph it, or send it over the internet.

6. Passphrase — Optional Extra Layer

A passphrase (25th word) adds an additional layer and can create hidden wallets. This is powerful but risky if lost. Treat passphrases as separate secrets and consider secure key management practices if you decide to use them.

7. Add Accounts in Ledger Live

  • In Ledger Live, add accounts for Bitcoin, Ethereum and supported tokens.
  • Label accounts to keep personal and business funds separate.
  • Use watch-only mode to monitor balances on air-gapped systems by exporting public keys (if needed).

8. Receiving Funds — Address Hygiene

To receive crypto, always generate the receiving address in Ledger Live and verify it on your device screen. Never accept addresses typed or sent by email; always confirm the full address on-device to avoid clipboard malware and phishing.

9. Sending Funds — Confirm on-device

  • Compose the transaction in Ledger Live.
  • Check the recipient address, amount, and fees on your device screen.
  • Only approve the transaction after visual confirmation on the device.

10. Backup & Recovery Testing

Periodically test your recovery phrase on a spare device to ensure it restores correctly. Testing with low- or no-value accounts reduces risk and gives you confidence in your backup procedure.

11. Security Best Practices

  • Always download Ledger Live from the official site: ledger.com/start.
  • Keep firmware and Ledger Live updated, but read release notes before updating key cold-storage devices.
  • Use strong, unique passwords for online accounts and enable 2FA where available.
  • Use separate devices or accounts for high-value funds and day-to-day spending to limit exposure.

12. Troubleshooting

  • Device not detected: try a different USB cable or port and ensure Ledger Live is running with correct permissions.
  • Firmware update fails: don't disconnect the device; retry via Ledger Live and consult official docs if issues persist.
  • Lost recovery phrase: if you lose your recovery phrase and don't have a backup, funds are unrecoverable. Always keep at least one secure backup.

13. Advanced Workflows

  • Custody & multisig: integrate Ledger with multisig setups for institutional-grade security.
  • DeFi & dapps: connect Ledger to trusted dapps via WalletConnect or browser integrations; always verify actions on device.
  • Sharding & secret management: for enterprise, consider hardware security modules (HSMs) and secret-sharing schemes alongside Ledger devices.

14. Final Checklist

1. Verify box & download Ledger Live from ledger.com/start 2. Install Ledger Live, connect device, and follow setup 3. Update firmware and confirm device attestation 4. Set PIN and record recovery phrase offline 5. Consider passphrase carefully (advanced) 6. Add accounts, label addresses, and verify receive/send flows 7. Backup recovery phrase in multiple secure locations 8. Test recovery and keep software/firmware updated 9. Use device confirmations for all transactions 10. Contact Ledger support for unresolved issues

Conclusion

Starting up your Ledger device correctly is the single most important step in securing your crypto. The combination of Ledger Live, device attestation, careful backup, and on-device confirmations provides a strong security posture. Treat your recovery phrase as the highest-priority secret and revisit these practices periodically.