01⌂
Prepare your space
Choose a private, distraction-free place and gather your device, a trusted computer or phone, and the supplied recovery materials.
THE INDEPENDENT STARTER GUIDE
Ledger.com/start: A Practical Guide to Getting Started
A calm, clear introduction to preparing your hardware wallet, understanding recovery information, and building safer habits from day one.
Start with the basics ↓ 7 min read
Independent educational resource · Not affiliated with Ledger
✓Take your timeSecurity starts with understanding
✳
Plain-languageGuidance for first-timers
Security-mindedCareful, practical habits
IndependentEducational, not official support
01 / THE STARTING POINT
Getting Started
Looking up Ledger.com/start usually means you have a new device and want a reliable path through the first decisions—without skipping the important security details.
This guide is designed to help you understand the broad setup journey before you begin. It covers what to prepare, how to approach the setup prompts, why the recovery phrase matters, and which common pitfalls are worth avoiding. Product screens and supported features can change, so use this as general education rather than a substitute for the current instructions supplied by Ledger.
A hardware wallet is one part of managing digital assets; it does not remove every risk or guarantee that funds are safe. Your careful decisions matter just as much as the device. Move at a pace that lets you read what the device and official application display, and pause if anything feels unexpected.
02 / A LITTLE PREPARATION
Before You Begin
A few sensible preparations make setup easier—and help you spot anything that deserves a second look.
Start in a private place where you can focus. Have your wallet and its supplied materials nearby, plus a computer or phone you trust. Install operating-system updates and avoid shared or public devices. Use a stable internet connection, but remember that a familiar network name alone does not prove a site or app is genuine.
Reach official resources by typing the known Ledger web address yourself or using a trusted bookmark; be wary of search ads, unsolicited messages, and look-alike domains. Follow the current official setup instructions for your exact product. Do not accept a device or setup process that arrives with a recovery phrase already filled in: the phrase should be generated on your device during your own setup, following its instructions.
There is no need to rush into transferring assets. First understand the controls, recovery process, and what each on-screen confirmation means.
03 / THE BIG PICTURE
Setup Roadmap
Four deliberate steps—from preparation to a careful first use.
02↗
Get the official app
Navigate directly to Ledger’s official website and follow its current instructions to find the appropriate Ledger wallet application.
03✓
Connect and verify
Connect your device, follow the prompts on its screen, and review each confirmation on the device itself.
04◈
Back up with care
Write down the recovery phrase as directed, confirm it if prompted, and store it offline somewhere private and secure.
The exact screens and order may vary by product. Follow instructions current to your device, and confirm important actions on the device itself.
04 / BUILD GOOD HABITS
Security Basics
Your habits are a key part of keeping access under your control.
Understand recovery information →Verify the source
Use Ledger’s official channels for applications and instructions. Check the address carefully, and do not install software sent through unsolicited links.
Confirm on-device
Read the details shown on your hardware wallet before approving an action. The computer or phone display alone is not a reason to trust a transaction.
Ignore urgent requests
Legitimate support should not ask you to disclose recovery words. Treat unexpected requests, remote-access offers, and pressure to act now as warning signs.
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05 / KEEP IT PRIVATE
Recovery Information
Your recovery phrase is a sensitive backup that may restore access to your wallet. Anyone who obtains it could potentially gain control of assets associated with it. Think of it as a master key—not a password you can safely share with someone who says they are helping.
Write it down exactly as instructed and keep it offline in a private, secure place. Never photograph it, store it in cloud notes, paste it into a website, or enter it into a message, form, or support chat. Ledger support will not need your recovery phrase. If a person or screen asks for it, stop and verify the request through official channels.
!Keep your recovery phrase private. No legitimate helper needs you to reveal it.
06 / LEARN FROM THE NEAR MISSES
Common Beginner Mistakes
Small shortcuts can create outsized problems. These are easy to avoid once you know what to watch for.
Following a sponsored look-alike
A search result or message can imitate an official page. Type the address yourself and double-check the domain before downloading anything.
Saving the phrase digitally
Screenshots and cloud backups can be exposed if an account or device is compromised. Keep recovery information offline and private.
Approving without reading
Rushing through a confirmation may authorize something you did not intend. Pause and compare the information on your device.
Sending everything at once
When you're ready to transact, consider a small test first and verify the destination details. Network transfers can be difficult or impossible to reverse.
07 / READY WHEN YOU ARE
Quick Checklist
A useful pause point before setup—or before your first transaction.
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Confidence comes from clarity.
If a step is unclear, pause and consult current official instructions.
If a step is unclear, pause and consult current official instructions.
✓Use a trusted, up-to-date device and connection
✓Get the wallet application from an official source
✓Read device prompts before confirming
✓Write recovery words down offline and check them
✓Keep the recovery phrase private—always
✓Start with a small test transaction when ready
08 / FINAL THOUGHT
Start slowly. Stay in control.
Getting started is less about moving fast and more about understanding what you are confirming. Prepare carefully, keep recovery information private, and rely on current official instructions for device-specific steps. That thoughtful approach is the most useful first step of all.