Ledger.com/start — Securely Start & Manage Your Crypto
A practical, beginner-to-intermediate guide to setting up a Ledger hardware wallet and using Ledger Live — private keys remain offline, you stay in control.
Offline Security
Private keys never leave your Ledger device — reduces online attack surface.
Ledger Live
Manage balances, install apps, stake, and track assets on desktop & mobile.
Multi-Asset Support
Supports Bitcoin, Ethereum and 1800+ tokens — perfect for diversified portfolios.
Recovery Phrase
Your 24-word phrase is the single backup for your wallet — keep it offline and secret.
A short user story — why hardware matters
Priya is new to crypto. She held small amounts on an exchange but worried about custody. She buys a Ledger device, installs Ledger Live from Ledger.com/start, and follows the setup steps. Now her private keys are on-device only. Months later, when a phishing email targets her exchange account, her Ledger-protected holdings remain safe — because custody and private keys are separated from custodial platforms.
Practical takeaway: hardware wallets remove the largest attack vector — remote access to private keys — while giving you a clear recovery path via the 24-word phrase.
Ledger Setup — concise steps
- Buy genuine device: Purchase from official channels to avoid tampered devices.
- Download Ledger Live: Go to Ledger.com/start, install desktop app (or mobile).
- Create PIN: Choose a secure PIN — never share it.
- Backup recovery phrase: Write the 24-word phrase on the provided sheet and store offline in two separate secure locations.
- Install apps: Use Ledger Live to install coin-specific apps (Bitcoin, Ethereum, etc.).
- Transact safely: Send/receive only after verifying addresses on-device (confirm address on the Ledger screen).
Common issues & fixes
Device not recognized: Try a different cable/USB port, ensure Ledger Live is up-to-date, and confirm the device is unlocked.
Forgot PIN: If you forget the PIN you can reset the device — but you must restore from your 24-word phrase. Never store the phrase online.
Suspicious message or link: Ledger will never ask for your 24 words. Treat any request for your phrase as a scam.
FAQ
Simple model comparison
| Model | Screen | Connectivity | Typical Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ledger Nano S Plus | OLED | USB | $79 |
| Ledger Nano X | OLED | Bluetooth + USB | $149 |