Ledger.com/start — Starting Up™ Your Device | Ledger® Setup Guide

Setting up a new hardware wallet is an important first step toward managing your digital assets securely. If you have recently purchased a Ledger device, the official Ledger.com/start page provides the starting point for downloading the Ledger Wallet app and beginning the device setup process. Ledger’s current setup page identifies Ledger Wallet as the app used to manage digital assets while keeping private keys offline. {"fallbackMarkdown":"(Ledger)","reference":{"matched_text":"","prefix":null,"start_idx":873,"end_idx":892,"safe_urls":["https://www.ledger.com/start","https://www.ledger.com/start?utm_source=chatgpt.com"],"refs":[],"alt":"(Ledger)","prompt_text":null,"type":"grouped_webpages","status":"done","style":null,"fallback_items":null,"items":[{"title":"How to set up your Ledger hardware wallet | Ledger","url":"https://www.ledger.com/start?utm_source=chatgpt.com","attribution":"Ledger","pub_date":null,"snippet":"","attribution_segments":null,"supporting_websites":[],"refs":[{"turn_index":0,"ref_type":"search","ref_index":1}],"hue":null,"attributions":null}],"error":null},"showLoginRequiredCard":false}

Whether you are new to hardware wallets or upgrading from another device, following the official setup process can help you avoid common mistakes and keep your recovery information protected.

Start Your Ledger Device at Ledger.com/start

The safest way to begin is by visiting the official Ledger.com/start page rather than downloading wallet software from an unfamiliar website. The page provides access to the Ledger Wallet application for supported operating systems, including Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android. {"fallbackMarkdown":"(Ledger)","reference":{"matched_text":"","prefix":null,"start_idx":1424,"end_idx":1443,"safe_urls":["https://www.ledger.com/start","https://www.ledger.com/start?utm_source=chatgpt.com"],"refs":[],"alt":"(Ledger)","prompt_text":null,"type":"grouped_webpages","status":"done","style":null,"fallback_items":null,"items":[{"title":"How to set up your Ledger hardware wallet | Ledger","url":"https://www.ledger.com/start?utm_source=chatgpt.com","attribution":"Ledger","pub_date":null,"snippet":"","attribution_segments":null,"supporting_websites":[],"refs":[{"turn_index":0,"ref_type":"search","ref_index":1}],"hue":null,"attributions":null}],"error":null},"showLoginRequiredCard":false}

[Ledger.com/start – Official Ledger Setup] can be used as the primary internal link for readers who are ready to begin their device installation.

Once the application is installed, connect your Ledger hardware wallet and follow the instructions displayed by the application and on the device screen. Setup steps can vary depending on the Ledger model, so it is important to follow the instructions specifically provided for your device.

How to Set Up a New Ledger Wallet

Starting a Ledger device generally involves several important stages. First, install the official wallet application from Ledger’s website. Next, connect your hardware wallet and select the appropriate setup option. If the device is new, the application will guide you through initialization.

One of the most important parts of the process is creating and protecting your wallet recovery information. Your recovery phrase is extremely sensitive: anyone who obtains it may be able to restore access to the wallet. Never share the recovery phrase with another person, enter it into an unknown website, or store it in an unsecured digital location.

For additional information about getting started, readers can use this [Ledger device setup guide] to review the official onboarding information before completing the process.

Create a Secure PIN

During device initialization, you may be asked to create a PIN. The PIN helps protect access to the physical device, so choose one that is difficult for another person to guess.

Do not use obvious combinations or information that someone could easily associate with you. More importantly, enter sensitive information only when instructed by the genuine Ledger device and official software.

A hardware wallet is designed to give users greater control over their private keys, but security also depends on how the owner handles the device, PIN, and recovery phrase.

Protect Your Recovery Phrase

Your recovery phrase is one of the most important security elements in your wallet setup. Write it down carefully when your Ledger device displays it and keep the backup somewhere secure and offline.

Never photograph your recovery phrase or save it in email, cloud storage, messaging applications, notes, or other internet-connected services. Be particularly cautious of anyone claiming to be Ledger support and asking for your recovery phrase or PIN.

If a website, message, or person asks you to reveal your recovery phrase to “verify,” “activate,” or “unlock” your wallet, stop and verify the request through official Ledger resources.

You can also use this [Ledger security and support resource] as an internal reference when reviewing safe wallet practices.

Ledger and Trezor: Different Hardware Wallet Options

Users researching hardware wallets may also encounter Trezor®, another established hardware-wallet ecosystem. Trezor uses its own software, devices, and setup procedures. Its official start page directs new users to download Trezor Suite and follow the guided setup process. {"fallbackMarkdown":"(Trezor)","reference":{"matched_text":"","prefix":null,"start_idx":4485,"end_idx":4504,"safe_urls":["https://trezor.io/start","https://trezor.io/start?utm_source=chatgpt.com"],"refs":[],"alt":"(Trezor)","prompt_text":null,"type":"grouped_webpages","status":"done","style":null,"fallback_items":null,"items":[{"title":"Trezor Suite App (Official) | Congrats on your new Trezor | Trezor","url":"https://trezor.io/start?utm_source=chatgpt.com","attribution":"Trezor","pub_date":null,"snippet":"","attribution_segments":null,"supporting_websites":[],"refs":[{"turn_index":0,"ref_type":"search","ref_index":0}],"hue":null,"attributions":null}],"error":null},"showLoginRequiredCard":false}

For example, Trezor’s setup documentation explains that users connect their device, install firmware, create or recover a wallet, and complete the wallet-backup process. {"fallbackMarkdown":"(Trezor)","reference":{"matched_text":"","prefix":null,"start_idx":4676,"end_idx":4708,"safe_urls":["https://trezor.io/guides/trezor-devices/trezor-model-t/get-started-with-the-model-t","https://trezor.io/guides/trezor-devices/trezor-model-t/get-started-with-the-model-t?utm_source=chatgpt.com","https://trezor.io/guides/trezor-devices/trezor-safe-5/get-started-with-the-trezor-safe-5","https://trezor.io/guides/trezor-devices/trezor-safe-5/get-started-with-the-trezor-safe-5?utm_source=chatgpt.com"],"refs":[],"alt":"(Trezor)","prompt_text":null,"type":"grouped_webpages","status":"done","style":null,"fallback_items":null,"items":[{"title":"Get started with the Trezor Model T | Trezor Knowledge Base | Trezor","url":"https://trezor.io/guides/trezor-devices/trezor-model-t/get-started-with-the-model-t?utm_source=chatgpt.com","attribution":"Trezor","pub_date":null,"snippet":"","attribution_segments":null,"supporting_websites":[{"title":"Get started with the Trezor Safe 5 | Trezor Knowledge Base | Trezor","url":"https://trezor.io/guides/trezor-devices/trezor-safe-5/get-started-with-the-trezor-safe-5?utm_source=chatgpt.com","pub_date":null,"snippet":"","attribution":"Trezor"}],"refs":[{"turn_index":0,"ref_type":"search","ref_index":2},{"turn_index":0,"ref_type":"search","ref_index":7}],"hue":null,"attributions":null}],"error":null},"showLoginRequiredCard":false}

Because Ledger and Trezor are separate ecosystems, users should download software only from the official website associated with their device. Do not use a Trezor application to initialize a Ledger device or vice versa.

For readers comparing the two ecosystems, this [hardware wallet setup comparison] can serve as another internal resource.

Troubleshooting Ledger Setup

If your Ledger device is not detected, first make sure you are using the official application and an appropriate connection cable. Restarting the application and reconnecting the device may resolve simple connection issues.

Avoid searching for unofficial “activation tools” or software that asks for your recovery phrase. Hardware-wallet security depends heavily on maintaining control over private credentials.

If you are restoring an existing wallet rather than creating a new one, take extra care to verify every step before entering recovery information. Never type your recovery phrase into a normal website form.

Start Securely With Ledger.com/start

Getting started with a Ledger device does not need to be complicated. Begin with the official Ledger.com/start page, download the appropriate Ledger Wallet software, connect your device, and carefully follow the instructions shown during setup. {"fallbackMarkdown":"(Ledger)","reference":{"matched_text":"","prefix":null,"start_idx":6003,"end_idx":6022,"safe_urls":["https://www.ledger.com/start","https://www.ledger.com/start?utm_source=chatgpt.com"],"refs":[],"alt":"(Ledger)","prompt_text":null,"type":"grouped_webpages","status":"done","style":null,"fallback_items":null,"items":[{"title":"How to set up your Ledger hardware wallet | Ledger","url":"https://www.ledger.com/start?utm_source=chatgpt.com","attribution":"Ledger","pub_date":null,"snippet":"","attribution_segments":null,"supporting_websites":[],"refs":[{"turn_index":0,"ref_type":"search","ref_index":1}],"hue":null,"attributions":null}],"error":null},"showLoginRequiredCard":false}

Most importantly, treat your recovery phrase as the master backup to your wallet. Keep it private, offline, and protected from unauthorized access. By using official software and practicing good security habits from the beginning, you can make the process of starting your Ledger device much safer and easier.

Start here: Ledger.com/start.