Ledger.com/Start® — Starting Up Your Device®

1. How to start up your Ledger device

Starting up your Ledger device through Ledger.com/Start® is intentionally straightforward: the portal guarantees you download real Ledger Live software, follow proper firmware checks, and create a secure PIN and recovery phrase. Below is a guided approach to start up your Ledger device the right way.

Step-by-step setup: Ledger.com/Start® — Starting Up Your Device®

1. Verify the domain: Open your browser and confirm you are on https://ledger.com/start or the correct official URL. Do not download from third-party mirrors.
2. Download Ledger Live: Choose the correct Ledger Live installer for your OS (Windows / macOS / Linux) and download it from Ledger.com/Start® or the official Ledger downloads page.
3. Install Ledger Live: Run the installer and allow access to USB devices when prompted. Ledger Live is the secure companion app for managing wallets, apps, and firmware.
4. Connect your device: Connect your Ledger device using the supplied cable. Power on and follow prompts displayed by Ledger Live on your desktop.
5. Create PIN & recovery phrase: Ledger Live and the device will guide you to set a secure PIN and generate your recovery phrase. Write the recovery phrase on the provided recovery card and store it offline in a safe, fireproof location.
6. Update firmware and apps: If Ledger Live prompts for firmware updates or app installations, complete them using the official flow — never skip verified updates.

After completing the steps above you’re ready to add accounts, install coin-specific apps on your Ledger device via Ledger Live, and start sending and receiving crypto while always confirming actions on-device.

2. Security best practices for Starting Up Your Device®

The reason Ledger.com/Start® exists is to protect your first interaction with the device. Security is layered: device-level protection, software verification, and user behavior. When starting up your Ledger device, follow these practical best practices to protect your assets.

Key security tips

• Keep your recovery phrase offline: Never store the recovery phrase on a phone, photo, cloud service or screenshot. Physical backups (metal plates / offline paper) are recommended for long-term safety.
• Use a strong PIN: Choose a PIN that’s hard to guess. Avoid obvious sequences. The PIN helps protect the device if lost or stolen.
• Enable optional passphrase: For advanced users, a passphrase provides an additional hidden wallet layer — treat passphrases like secrets and store them separately from your recovery phrase.
• Verify addresses on-device: Always check receiving addresses on the Ledger device screen before confirming a transaction in Ledger Live — this prevents host-level tampering.
• Keep firmware up to date: Ledger releases firmware improvements and security patches. Apply updates only through Ledger Live prompts originating from the official source.

Ledger devices are designed to mitigate compromise scenarios. Even if a host computer is infected, on-device confirmations and secure element protections help keep your private keys safe when you start up your Ledger device correctly.

3. Ledger Live — the official companion after Ledger.com/Start®

Ledger Live is the official desktop and mobile application you use after starting up your device on Ledger.com/Start®. Ledger Live provides an intuitive interface to add accounts, manage coin apps, track portfolio value, stake tokens and use approved integrations — all while private keys stay on your Ledger device.

Ledger Live features

• Account management: Add Bitcoin, Ethereum and many other supported assets to view balances and history.
• App manager: Install and update blockchain apps on your Ledger device via Ledger Live safely.
• Portfolio & analytics: See consolidated views of assets, performance charts, and fiat conversions.
• Staking & integrations: Stake supported tokens and connect to trusted partners for DeFi access while keeping keys on-device.

// Example (pseudo): connecting to Ledger device via Ledger Live SDK
import LedgerConnect from 'ledger-connect';
LedgerConnect.init({ appName: 'MyApp' });
const device = await LedgerConnect.requestDevice();
const address = await device.getAddress("m/44'/0'/0'/0/0");
console.log('Receive address:', address);

Ledger Live is the safe control plane for your Ledger® device. Always install Ledger Live from Ledger.com/Start® or the official Ledger domain and verify the integrity of downloads for the best experience.

4. Recovery, restore & lost device procedures

If your Ledger device is lost, stolen, or damaged, the recovery phrase generated during Ledger.com/Start® is your only way to restore access to funds. Ledger cannot recover funds or restore your wallet without the recovery phrase. Here is what to do if you face these situations:

Lost device — immediate steps

• Obtain a new Ledger device or compatible hardware wallet.
• During the new device setup, choose the “Restore from recovery phrase” option.
• Enter your recovery phrase exactly as created during Ledger.com/Start®.
• After restoring, verify accounts in Ledger Live and consider changing passphrases if you used one.

If you suspect the recovery phrase is compromised, move funds to a new wallet after restoring and securing a fresh device and seed — treat the old seed as compromised.

5. Troubleshooting & support

Common issues when starting up a Ledger device include connection problems, firmware update interruptions, or installer issues. Try the following quick troubleshooting steps:

• Use a data-capable USB cable and try different USB ports.
• Ensure Ledger Live is the latest version downloaded from Ledger.com/Start®.
• Do not unplug mid-firmware update — if interrupted, follow official recovery steps shown in Ledger Live or contact support.
• Restart your computer and Ledger device for transient connectivity problems.

If you continue to experience issues, consult Ledger’s official support resources and knowledge base for step-by-step help and contact options.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Ledger.com/Start® is the official onboarding portal for starting up Ledger devices. It ensures users download authentic Ledger Live software, follow verified firmware checks, and configure PIN and recovery seed securely.

Write your recovery phrase on the recovery card, store it in a secure offline location (safe, bank deposit, or metal backup), and never take a photo or save it to cloud storage. Consider multiple physical copies in geographically separated secure places.

You need internet to download Ledger Live and verify firmware and app updates. The private keys, however, remain on the device and never leave it, preserving offline key security after setup.

If you lose your recovery phrase and lose the device, Ledger cannot restore access for you. The recovery phrase is the authoritative backup — treat it as the most important secret for your funds.

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