Ledger.com/Start®

Getting started — an extended presentation with practical guidance
A thorough guide to initial setup, security, backups, and workflows

Getting started

Welcome

This document is a presentation-style, richly detailed getting-started guide for users of Ledger hardware wallets using the Official Site® flow at Ledger.com/Start®. It is formatted as an HTML presentation that you can open in a browser, print as a handout, or adapt into slide software. The goal is to provide a single, coherent resource that covers the entire onboarding journey — from unboxing to advanced safety practices — and to do so using accessible colors and clear hierarchical headings.

Design note: the palette pairs deep navy backgrounds with mint, purple, and gold accents to create strong visual contrast while remaining accessible for most users. Headings use color cues to signal importance and action items.

Table of contents

This expanded presentation provides detailed explanations, rationale, and suggested workflows to help new users adopt secure practices and make informed choices. Use the anchors to jump to relevant sections during a workshop or guided setup session.

Unboxing

What should be in the box

When receiving a Ledger hardware wallet from Official Site® or an authorized reseller, the packaging should show no signs of tampering. Inside the box you will typically find:

If anything seems missing or packaging appears altered, do not connect the device. Reach out to Official Site® support for guidance and verification. Purchasing directly from Official Site® or vetted retailers reduces the risk of tampered devices.

Physical inspection checklist

  1. Check the outer seal and box condition for signs of resealing or unusual tampering.
  2. Verify the model name and serial number (if printed) match the product you ordered.
  3. Confirm that recovery cards are blank and the device shows the expected factory startup screen when first powered on.

Safety & security

Core security principles

Protecting your crypto assets depends on a combination of a secure device and secure user practices. The Ledger device is designed to protect private keys inside a secure element, but user behavior determines whether those protections are effective. Keep these principles in mind:

Practical anti-phishing tips

Phishing is the most common attack vector for crypto users. Attackers impersonate services or send malicious links to trick you into revealing secrets or installing malware. Minimize risk by following these practical steps:

Initial setup

Step-by-step onboarding

This expanded setup section walks you through the recommended onboarding steps with detailed rationale for each action. Take your time during setup — mistakes here are expensive.

1. Power and connect

Charge the device if it has a battery (e.g., Nano X), then connect it to your computer or mobile device using the supplied cable. Use a trusted computer or phone. Avoid public or shared machines.

2. Initialize or recover

On first boot, you'll be given the choice to create a new wallet (generate a new 24-word recovery phrase) or to restore an existing wallet using an existing recovery phrase. For new users, choose "Create a new device". For those migrating, choose "Restore from recovery phrase" and enter the 24 words carefully using the device interface.

3. Choose a strong PIN

Select a PIN you can remember but that others can't guess. PINs are entered on-device and are not transmitted to any network. If you forget the PIN, you can restore from your recovery phrase — the device itself can be reset to factory settings.

4. Write down the 24-word recovery phrase

Record the 24 words exactly as shown on the device onto the provided recovery card(s). Read each word aloud if it helps prevent transcription errors. Confirm the words when prompted by the device. This backup is the only way to recover if the device is lost or damaged.

5. Finalize setup and install Ledger Live

After the device reports it is initialized, install Ledger Live on your desktop or mobile and follow the device pairing flow to add accounts (detailed in the Ledger Live section).

Ledger Live

Overview

Ledger Live is a self-hosted application (available for macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, and Android) that provides the user interface for managing accounts, installing apps on the device, and preparing transactions. It does not hold your private keys; signing always occurs on the Ledger hardware device.

Installing Ledger Live

  1. Download Ledger Live from Official Site® or the appropriate official app store.
  2. Install and open the application. Allow any OS-level permissions needed for USB or Bluetooth communication (for models that support it).
  3. Follow the onboarding prompts to connect and add accounts.

Key Ledger Live features

Best practice

Use Ledger Live primarily as a management surface — verify every action physically on your hardware device before approving. Ledger Live is designed not to expose private keys, but user vigilance is still essential.

Install apps on your Ledger device

Why apps are needed

Ledger's architecture isolates support for different blockchains behind compact apps that run on the device. Each app implements the cryptography and address derivation rules for its chain. Installing only needed apps reduces device storage usage and simplifies account management.

Installation workflow

  1. Open Ledger Live and navigate to the Manager tab.
  2. Connect and unlock your Ledger device with your PIN.
  3. Browse the list of available apps and click "Install" for the assets you plan to use.
  4. Wait for each app to install; confirm the device prompts.

If an app is uninstalled, your accounts are not lost — they can be recovered by reinstalling the app and re-adding the account using your recovery seed.

Receive crypto

How to generate a receive address

Receiving funds is straightforward but requires careful verification to avoid address replacement attacks. Follow this process:

  1. Open Ledger Live and select the account for the desired asset.
  2. Click the "Receive" button and follow prompts to connect and open the correct blockchain app on your device.
  3. Ledger Live will display a receive address. Always verify that the address shown in the app matches the string displayed on your Ledger device before sharing it with the sender.

Safety checklist for incoming transfers

Send crypto

Preparing a safe send

Sending funds requires constructing a transaction in Ledger Live (or a supported third-party wallet) and physically confirming the transaction on your Ledger device. The device displays the destination address, amount, and sometimes fee details — you must verify these carefully.

  1. Open Ledger Live and select the account to send from.
  2. Click "Send" and enter the recipient address and amount. Optionally add a description for your records.
  3. Review the total and fees, then connect your device and open the relevant app on the device.
  4. The device will show the destination address and amount. Scroll through and confirm the details before pressing the device buttons to sign.

If anything on the device does not match what you expect, cancel the transaction and re-check the address and software state. Do not rely on clipboard data without confirmation, as clipboard malware can replace copied addresses.

Backup & recovery

The importance of the recovery phrase

Your 24-word recovery phrase is the master key to derive all private keys of your Ledger wallet. It must be treated as the single most sensitive piece of information. If lost and you have no backup, access to your funds will be permanently lost. If stolen, your assets can be drained.

Secure backup strategies