Welcome to Ledger® – Your Gateway to Secure Crypto Management
Ledger® hardware wallets are trusted by millions around the world to safeguard crypto assets offline. The Ledger Nano S Plus, Ledger Nano X, and the new Ledger Stax are built with cutting-edge security and sleek user experience.
If you just received your device, you’re in the right place. This guide walks you through initializing your Ledger wallet from scratch using the official site: ledger.com/start.
Step 1: Unboxing and What You Need
Open your Ledger box and make sure the following items are included:
- ✔️ Ledger device (Nano S Plus, Nano X, or Stax)
- ✔️ USB cable (USB-C for S Plus and X)
- ✔️ Recovery sheets (blank, for writing down your seed phrase)
- ✔️ Instruction manual and Ledger stickers
Before connecting, make sure your device is brand new and has not been tampered with. Ledger devices never come with a pre-written seed phrase. If your box contains one, stop and contact support.
Step 2: Go to Ledger.com/Start
Open your browser and visit the official setup portal: www.ledger.com/start. This site will direct you to download the Ledger Live application for your desktop or mobile device.
- 📥 Download Ledger Live for Windows, macOS, Linux, or Android/iOS
- 📲 Follow installation instructions for your platform
- 🧩 Allow permissions and confirm the authenticity of the app
Step 3: Initialize Your Ledger Device
Now that Ledger Live is installed, follow these steps to set up your device:
- Connect your Ledger to your computer using the USB cable.
- Select “Initialize as new device” on the Ledger screen.
- Create a secure 4 to 8-digit PIN code (confirm twice).
- Ledger will now generate your 24-word recovery phrase.
- Write down the seed phrase on your provided recovery sheet. Do not save it digitally.
- Confirm the 24 words on your Ledger device.
This phrase is the only way to recover your wallet if your device is lost or damaged. Never share it with anyone.
Step 4: Pair with Ledger Live
Once your device is initialized, go back to Ledger Live and pair your hardware wallet:
- 🔗 Select your device type (Nano S Plus, X, or Stax)
- 🛡️ Confirm the genuine check via Ledger Live
- 💼 Create your first crypto account (Bitcoin, Ethereum, etc.)
- 📊 Access your portfolio dashboard and settings
Step 5: Start Receiving & Sending Crypto
Your Ledger device is now ready to use. To receive crypto:
- ✅ Open Ledger Live and go to “Receive”
- 🔎 Select the correct crypto account (e.g. BTC, ETH)
- 🔐 Confirm the address on your Ledger device screen
- 📥 Share the verified address with the sender
To send crypto, click “Send”, enter the recipient’s address, amount, and confirm the transaction on your device physically.
Security Tips 🔐
- Never enter your seed phrase online, even in Ledger Live.
- Only download Ledger Live from the official site.
- Always verify addresses on your device screen before sending.
- Use a strong PIN and store your recovery phrase in a fireproof, waterproof location.
- Enable password encryption (optional) inside Ledger Live.
FAQs – Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What if I lose my Ledger device?
A: You can recover your funds using the 24-word recovery phrase on a new Ledger device.
Q: Is Ledger Live required?
A: It’s the official management app, though you can use other compatible wallets like MetaMask for advanced use cases.
Q: Can I manage multiple assets?
A: Yes. Ledger supports over 5,000 coins and tokens. Use Ledger Live to install apps for each crypto you want to manage.
Q: Can Ledger be hacked?
A: The device itself stores private keys offline, which makes it extremely difficult to hack—as long as your recovery phrase is kept safe