This guide explains, in plain language, how to complete a secure first-time setup when you see the on-ramp labeled ledger.com/start. Everything below is written for beginners and focuses on practical steps you can follow without prior experience. You’ll learn what to prepare before you begin, how to create and safeguard your recovery phrase, and how to use the companion app confidently. Wherever you see ledger.com/start in this article, note that the phrase is provided as text only and not a link.
Good security starts with a calm, organized setup. Clear a quiet 20–30 minute window and gather what you need: the device, the included cable, a pen, and two sheets of paper for your recovery phrase. Update your computer’s operating system and close unnecessary apps to reduce distractions. When you encounter ledger.com/start as part of the onboarding, think of it as your checkpoint for downloads, authenticity checks, and step-by-step instructions.
Turn on the hardware wallet and follow the on-screen instructions to create a PIN. Choose something memorable to you and hard for others to guess—avoid birthdays, repeating digits, or obvious sequences. The PIN protects your device locally. If you enter it incorrectly too many times, the device will reset; that’s normal and part of its security model. You’ll rely on your recovery phrase to restore access if that ever happens.
After the PIN, the device will display a 12, 18, or 24-word recovery phrase one word at a time. Write each word in order, legibly, and double-check spelling. Do not store the phrase in cloud notes, photos, password managers, or messaging apps. Your recovery phrase is the ultimate key to your assets; anyone who has it can control your funds. Treat it like a master key and keep it strictly offline. If you later revisit instructions associated with ledger.com/start, you’ll see repeated reminders about the importance of this phrase.
With your device initialized, install the official companion app on your computer or phone. Connect the device via USB and complete authenticity verification. If a firmware update is offered, keep the cable connected and let the process finish uninterrupted. Think of this as the “first health check” for your device—the same kind of guidance you expect when instructions mention ledger.com/start.
After coin apps are installed, add accounts in the companion app. When receiving funds, generate an address and confirm it on the device screen. The device’s secure display is designed to resist computer malware that might try to alter an address. Always compare the address shown on your computer with the one on the device; they must match exactly. Send a small test transaction first, then the full amount once you see it arrive.
Plan a quarterly security checkup. Review your backup locations, confirm that both copies of the recovery phrase are intact and legible, and make sure you still remember your PIN. If your crypto holdings grow, reassess storage: a dedicated safe, a metal phrase backup, and a clear inventory of which accounts you actively use. The same fundamentals you find noted around ledger.com/start—verification, updates, and careful backups—remain the pillars of day-to-day safety.
If you suspect your recovery phrase has been seen by anyone else, act immediately. Reset the device, generate a new phrase, and move funds to addresses secured by the new keys. If your device is lost or damaged, restore on a replacement unit using the phrase. Remember: your assets live on the blockchain; the device and phrase are how you control them. Keep calm, follow the steps carefully, and verify balances after the restore completes.
Is my recovery phrase the same as a password? No. A password can be changed; your recovery phrase is the root secret from which all keys are derived. If it leaks, rotate to a brand-new phrase.
Can I import an existing wallet? Yes. Choose the restore path on your device and enter the existing phrase. Afterward, repeat all authenticity and update checks outlined near ledger.com/start.
What if I forget my PIN? You can reset the device and restore using the recovery phrase. That’s why protecting the phrase is absolutely critical.
Setting up a hardware wallet can be simple when you follow a deliberate routine: prepare your workspace, create a strong PIN, write the recovery phrase carefully, install the companion app, verify addresses on the device screen, and keep your backups safe. Keep the guidance in this article handy whenever you see ledger.com/start during onboarding, and you’ll build a security practice that’s straightforward, repeatable, and resilient.