Start with the source, not a search result
Ledger.com/start is a useful first stop for people opening a Ledger hardware wallet for the first time. It points users toward setup guidance and the next steps for connecting a device. Before you begin, check the address in your browser carefully: look for the exact ledger.com domain, avoid sponsored lookalikes, and do not follow setup instructions sent to you unexpectedly in a message.
This page is an independent educational guide, not Ledger’s official website or support service. Use Ledger’s own website and support center for current instructions, downloads, and device-specific help. That distinction matters because wallet setup involves private recovery information that should never be shared with another person or entered into a random website.
A few thoughtful minutes before setup
Unbox your device somewhere comfortable and give yourself uninterrupted time. Check that the hardware and packaging look as expected, then go directly to Ledger’s official getting-started page using a URL you typed yourself or a trusted bookmark. Follow its current directions to download the appropriate Ledger software. Avoid third-party download sites, shared computers, and links in unsolicited emails or direct messages.
Keep your device nearby and connect it only as directed by the official instructions. A steady internet connection and a little patience are more useful than rushing through prompts. If anything on the screen differs from what the official guide describes, pause and verify before continuing.
Take the setup one prompt at a time
During initialization, your device will guide you through choosing a PIN and creating or restoring a wallet. Read each prompt on the device itself. If you are creating a new wallet, the device generates a recovery phrase—a human-readable backup that can restore access if the hardware is lost or damaged. Write it down exactly as instructed and check every word before storing it securely offline.
Never photograph, email, text, upload, or paste the recovery phrase into an app, browser window, cloud document, or support chat. Ledger support will not need your phrase. Anyone who obtains it may be able to access the assets associated with that wallet, so treat it like the master key to your home: private, protected, and not casually copied.
Know what “connected” really means
Once your device is initialized, follow official guidance to connect it with Ledger’s software and review the available account options. A computer or phone may display balances and help prepare transactions, while the hardware device is used to review and approve supported actions. Read transaction details on the device screen before confirming anything. If a request is unexpected or unclear, reject it and take time to investigate.
Keep device firmware and software current by using the official update flow. Updates should never require you to reveal your recovery phrase. Be cautious of anyone offering urgent “verification,” recovery, or troubleshooting over social media; independently navigate to the support center instead.
Build confidence beyond day one
There is no need to master every wallet feature in one sitting. Start by learning how accounts, networks, and transaction fees work before moving meaningful value. Ledger Academy offers educational material for common crypto concepts, and Ledger Support provides official troubleshooting information. Bookmark those trusted destinations rather than relying on a search result when something feels urgent.
A good setup is not a race or a promise of risk-free storage. It is a careful routine: verify the source, protect your recovery phrase, check approvals on your device, and ask questions through official channels. If you remember only one rule, remember this: your recovery phrase belongs to you alone.