ledger.com/start — Official Onboarding: Clean HTML Guide & Quick Setup

A complete, human-friendly HTML rendition of the official ledger.com/start onboarding content — written for users who want a safe, step-by-step, copyable page to guide them through downloading Ledger Live, initializing a hardware wallet, and following security best practices.

What this page is

This document reproduces, in friendly HTML, the essential flow and security guidance typically found on the official onboarding portal: ledger.com/start. It is intended to be used as an offline or self-hosted checklist for safely downloading Ledger Live, connecting your Ledger device, and performing the first-time setup securely.

Snapshot

  • Download: Ledger Live app
  • Devices: Nano X, Nano S Plus, Stax
  • Core advice: Never share your 24-word seed

Hero: Start Safely — Why ledger.com/start matters

The onboarding page is more than a download link. It’s the official safety gate that ensures you install authentic Ledger Live, avoid phishing, and follow best practices when generating and securing your recovery phrase. Use this process to reduce risk when moving from “curious” to “custodian” of your own crypto.

1
Download Ledger Live only from the official source (ledger.com/start). Verify the page uses HTTPS and the certificate belongs to Ledger SAS.

Complete Step-by-Step Setup (HTML-ready checklist)

Step 1 — Prepare & verify

  1. Open your browser and manually type ledger.com/start — do not click random links from email or chat.
  2. Check the URL bar shows a locked padlock (HTTPS) and the domain is exactly ledger.com.
  3. Choose your operating system (Windows / macOS / Linux) or mobile store option (iOS / Android).

Step 2 — Download Ledger Live

Click the download button appropriate for your platform. Save the installer and verify checksums if Ledger provides them. Avoid third-party download mirrors.

Install the app and open it. The first launch often requests permission to access USB devices — allow this to communicate with your Ledger hardware.

Step 3 — Acquire an authentic Ledger device

Buy your Ledger hardware (Nano X, Nano S Plus, or Stax) directly from Ledger’s official store or an authorized reseller. Unopened packaging and tamper-evident seals reduce risk.

When you power the device for the first time, follow on-screen instructions — Ledger devices will never ask you to enter a 24-word seed into your computer or phone.

Step 4 — Initialize device & record your recovery phrase

  1. Choose Set up as new device unless you are restoring a known wallet.
  2. Create a secure PIN (avoid obvious sequences like 1234 or birthdays).
  3. The device displays your 24-word recovery phrase on-screen. Write it down on the provided card — physically — and store it offline and in a secure location.
  4. Confirm the recovery phrase when prompted. Never photograph, screenshot, or store it in cloud storage.

Step 5 — Install coin apps & add accounts

Open Ledger Live Manager to install the coin apps (Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, etc.) on your device. Then use the Add account flow to synchronize addresses with Ledger Live — this will not expose your private keys.

Step 6 — Update firmware & app

Keep both Ledger Live and your device firmware updated. Updates often include security fixes and compatibility improvements — apply them before moving large funds.

Security Corner (do not ignore)

The single biggest cause of crypto loss is human error. Treat your recovery phrase like the absolute master key: never type it into a website, never share it, and never store it digitally.

Red flag

Any page or support agent that asks for your 24 words is a scam.

Best practice

Keep multiple physical copies of your recovery phrase in separate secure locations (fireproof/waterproof safe recommended).

Helpful Visual Feature — Comparison Table

Action Ledger.com/start Guidance Why it matters
Download Ledger Live Official installer per OS Prevents fake app installs and malware
Initialize device Generate PIN & 24-word seed on-device Seed never exposed to internet
Install coin apps Use Ledger Live Manager Enables blockchain-specific features securely

Quote highlight

“Your recovery phrase is the master key — keeping it offline is the difference between ownership and exposure.” — Security best practice adapted from onboarding guidance.

Common Questions (FAQ)

Q: Is ledger.com/start the only safe place to download Ledger Live?

Yes — always use the official page to avoid counterfeit installers. If you must download from a mobile store, confirm the developer name is Ledger and check reviews carefully.

Q: What happens if I lose my recovery phrase?

Without the recovery phrase you cannot restore your private keys. If the device is lost or damaged and you don't have the phrase, funds are unrecoverable. That’s why Ledger.com/start stresses offline backup.

Q: Can Ledger Live be used without a Ledger hardware wallet?

Ledger Live offers market data and portfolio tracking, but sending, receiving, and signing transactions requires a hardware wallet. Full functionality is unlocked only when a Ledger device is connected.

Advanced topics — short primer

Passphrases / Hidden wallets: Ledger supports an optional passphrase (25th word) to create hidden wallets. This adds privacy and plausible deniability—but losing the passphrase loses the funds. Use it only if you understand the tradeoffs.

Watch-only accounts: Use them to monitor balances without connecting a device. They cannot sign transactions — ideal for bookkeeping.

Final checklist — before you finish setup

Related terms included: private key, seed phrase, hardware wallet, cold storage, DeFi.
Keyword focus: ledger.com/start — this page is an explanatory, self-hosted HTML guide and not an official Ledger mirror. Always verify official resources when performing sensitive operations.