What Is Ledger.com/start?

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— 4 min read
Ledger.com/start is the official onboarding portal created by Ledger, the company behind one of the most widely-used hardware wallets for cryptocurrency. This site is designed as the starting point for securely setting up a Ledger hardware wallet — including Ledger Nano S Plus, Ledger Nano X, Ledger Stax, and similar models. (Ledger Hardware Wallet Setup)

At its core, Ledger.com/start provides:

  • Verified downloads of Ledger Live (desktop and mobile)
  • Step-by-step setup instructions tailored to your specific device
  • Security prompts and guides to help protect your crypto assets
  • Best practices for PIN creation and recovery phrase management (Ledger Hardware Wallet Setup)

Because cryptocurrency security is paramount, Ledger ensures that all setup resources — especially Ledger Live downloads — are hosted or linked securely from this page. This helps users avoid phishing or counterfeit versions of Ledger software that could compromise private keys or seed phrases. (Ledger)

Why Start at Ledger.com/start? The Security Rationale

Cryptocurrency ownership is fundamentally different from owning an online account with a centralized service: if you lose your private keys, you lose access to your crypto forever. Ledger’s hardware wallets are specifically designed to keep those private keys offline and isolated from internet threats — but only if the device has been initialized properly. (Ledger Hardware Wallet Setup)

Here’s why beginning at Ledger.com/start is so important:

1. Official, Authentic Downloads Only

The page provides direct links to the authentic Ledger Live application — the official companion app used to manage crypto assets via your Ledger device. Ledger Live is available for:

  • Windows
  • macOS
  • Linux
  • iOS and Android (Ledger)

Downloading from anywhere else — especially unofficial third-party hosts — risks installing malware that can spoof interactions with your device or trick you into revealing sensitive information.

For example, in a real-world scam reported by TechRadar, fake Ledger Live apps targeted Mac users and coaxed them into entering their seed phrase by mimicking a “recovery” error — but the seed was immediately sent to attackers. (TechRadar)

2. Guided Setup Reduces Mistakes

New users often make irreversible mistakes — like storing their recovery phrase on a phone photo or entering it into a website. Ledger.com/start walks users through the exact sequence of steps needed to:

  1. Install Ledger Live
  2. Choose or restore a wallet
  3. Create a secure PIN
  4. Write down and verify a 24-word recovery phrase
  5. Install cryptocurrency apps within Ledger Live (Ledger)

Without following these steps exactly, users risk losing access to funds or exposing private keys to online systems — which defeats the purpose of owning a hardware wallet.

3. Protects Against Phishing and Copycat Sites

Fake Ledger setup pages are a common phishing attack method. They often use URLs that look like the official Ledger domain but are run by malicious actors. Visiting Ledger.com/start directly — typing it into the URL bar — ensures you’re accessing the real source. (Ledger)

This mitigates the risk of ending up on sites that may look legitimate but that are designed to steal recovery phrases or install compromised firmware.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Use Ledger.com/start

Here’s a practical roadmap you can follow when visiting Ledger.com/start: (Ledger)

1. Visit the Official URL

Open a browser and type:
https://www.ledger.com/start

Never rely on search engine results or ads to reach the setup page, as malicious actors frequently buy advertising keywords to redirect users to fake sites. (Ledger)

2. Select Your Ledger Device

Once you’re on the start page, choose the specific Ledger model you own. The guide will adjust instructions and downloads based on the device:

Different devices may have slight variations in setup flow — especially when it comes to Bluetooth vs USB connections.

3. Install Ledger Live

You’ll be prompted to download Ledger Live for your operating system. Ledger Live is essential — it’s where you’ll install individual crypto apps (like Bitcoin, Ethereum), manage accounts, and manage firmware updates. (Ledger)

Install Ledger Live, then open it only after connecting your Ledger device.

4. Initialize Your Ledger Device

When you connect the hardware wallet and power it on, you’ll be prompted to choose between:

  • Set up as a new device (create a new wallet)
  • Restore from recovery phrase (if you already have one) (Ledger)

For new users, select “set up as new device”.

5. Create a Secure PIN

You’ll choose a PIN code (4–8 digits). This PIN is required each time you use the device and protects against unauthorized access if the Ledger is lost or stolen. Avoid simple PINs like “1234” or a birthday. (Ledger)

6. Write Down Your 24-Word Recovery Phrase

This step is arguably the most critical. The device will display a 24-word seed phrase. Write it down in order on the recovery sheet included in your box. Never store this phrase digitally or photograph it — that exposes you to theft. (Ledger)

Ledger support or any legitimate service will never ask you for this phrase.

7. Verify the Phrase and Continue Setup

The device will ask you to confirm a subset of these words to ensure you wrote them correctly. Once confirmed, your wallet is secured and ready.

8. Install Crypto Apps & Add Accounts

Within Ledger Live, you’ll now be able to install specific coin apps (e.g., Bitcoin, Ethereum), add accounts, and begin sending or receiving crypto securely — always signing each transaction on the hardware device itself. (Ledger Hardware Wallet Setup)

Final Tips & Best Practices for Ledger.com/start

  • Only use official URLs and double-check the domain every time you access setup or downloads. (Ledger)
  • Never enter your seed phrase into a computer or website. This is a common scam vector direct hackers use. (TechRadar)
  • Store your recovery phrase offline — consider metal seed backups for durability. (Ledger)
  • Keep Ledger Live and firmware updated to stay protected against newly discovered threats. (setup-ledger.pages.dev)
By following the Ledger.com/start instructions carefully and applying strong security habits, you’ll protect your crypto with the gold standard for hardware wallet onboarding — safely, confidently, and with peace of mind. (Ledger Hardware Wallet Setup)

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