Ledger.com/Start® | Getting started — Ledger

shena

— 4 min read

Entering the world of cryptocurrency should feel empowering—not overwhelming. At Ledger Start, our mission is to give you everything you need to secure, manage, and grow your digital assets with total confidence. Whether you're new to crypto or leveling up your security, this guide walks you through each step with clarity, simplicity, and peace of mind.

Why Security Should Come First

The crypto landscape offers enormous opportunities, but it also comes with risks. Unlike traditional finance, where banks protect your funds, in the world of digital assets you are responsible for your own security. This means protecting your private keys, signing transactions safely, and ensuring no one else can access your holdings.

Ledger Start helps you establish a security foundation built on three pillars:

1. Your Hardware Wallet

A hardware wallet keeps your private keys offline—separated from the internet—making it one of the most secure ways to store crypto. While software wallets can be convenient, they remain vulnerable to hacks, malware, phishing attacks, and device compromise. A hardware wallet eliminates those risks by keeping keys in a tamper-resistant chip designed for financial-grade protection.

2. Verified Apps & Services

Security isn’t only about the device; it's also about the software you trust. With Ledger’s companion platform, you interact with your assets through verified apps, legitimate update channels, and trusted installations. Every action you take is authenticated directly on your hardware wallet’s screen, ensuring full control.

3. Clear Ownership

When you hold your own private keys, you hold your own assets. There are no custodians, no locked withdrawals, and no intermediaries. Ledger Start is designed to help you understand and manage this autonomy from day one.

Set Up Your Ledger Device: Getting Started

Whether you're setting up your first Ledger Nano or upgrading from a previous wallet, the process is designed to be simple, guided, and completely secure.

Step 1: Unbox Your Device

Your package should contain:

  • Your Ledger hardware wallet
  • A USB cable
  • Recovery phrase sheets
  • A “Get Started” card
  • Security notices and documentation

Ledger devices do not come initialized. If yours arrives with a pre-printed recovery phrase or already configured, stop immediately—this is a security red flag.

Step 2: Connect & Power On

Plug your Ledger device into your computer or mobile device. Power it on by pressing the appropriate button. The device will guide you through a series of screens with quick onboarding instructions.

Step 3: Set Your PIN

You will be prompted to create a PIN code.
Choose one that is:

  • 4–8 digits
  • Easy for you to remember
  • Impossible for others to guess

Your PIN is the first line of defense against unauthorized access.

Step 4: Write Down Your 24-Word Recovery Phrase

Your device will generate a unique 24-word recovery phrase. These words are the master key to all of your crypto. Anyone with access to these words can take your assets, permanently.

Follow these rules:

  • Write them down on paper—never on a phone or computer.
  • Store the phrase in a safe, offline location.
  • Never take photos, screenshots, or cloud backups.
  • Never share the phrase with anyone—not support teams, not apps, not friends.

This phrase allows you to restore your wallet if you lose your device.

Step 5: Install Ledger’s Companion App

Download the official app (Ledger Live or your platform’s equivalent) from the legitimate source—not through ads or third-party links.

Through this app, you will:

  • Install crypto apps on your device
  • Create or import accounts
  • Buy, sell, or swap assets (depending on region)
  • Track your portfolio
  • Manage security updates

The app works hand-in-hand with your hardware wallet, ensuring every transaction is validated directly on your device’s secure screen.

Add and Manage Your Crypto

Once your device is set up, you’re ready to add accounts and start using your assets.

Installing Crypto Apps

Each cryptocurrency has its own app that must be installed on your Ledger device. These apps allow the device to understand and sign the specific transaction protocols for each blockchain.

The companion app will guide you through:

  • Selecting the crypto you want to manage
  • Installing its app on your Ledger device
  • Adding the account to your dashboard

Receiving Assets

To receive cryptocurrency:

  1. Open the crypto app on your Ledger device.
  2. In your companion app, select Receive.
  3. Compare the address displayed on your computer/phone with the one shown directly on your Ledger device.

Only trust the address shown on the device itself. If they match, you can safely share the receiving address.

Sending Assets

When sending crypto, the device protects you by:

  • Verifying the destination address
  • Confirming the transaction amount
  • Physically requiring your approval

This eliminates the risk of malware tampering with your transaction details.

Stay Secure With Best Practices

Your hardware wallet is one of the strongest lines of defense, but good habits amplify your protection.

Beware of Scams

Common threats include:

  • Fake support asking for your recovery phrase
  • Malicious apps or browser extensions
  • Counterfeit devices sold by unauthorized sellers
  • Phishing emails with urgent warnings or fake updates

Ledger—or any legitimate company—will never ask for your 24-word phrase.

Verify Every Update

Only install firmware updates through the official companion app. Updates are cryptographically signed to ensure authenticity.

Diversify Your Security

Consider the following:

  • A fireproof/waterproof backup for your recovery phrase
  • A second hardware wallet as a backup device
  • Using a passphrase for additional security layers (advanced users)

Manage NFTs, DeFi, and Web3 Safely

Ledger devices aren’t limited to storing coins. You can interact with the broader Web3 ecosystem, including:

  • NFT marketplaces
  • DeFi lending platforms
  • Staking protocols
  • On-chain governance
  • Decentralized applications (dApps)

Using your hardware wallet ensures that when you connect to these services:

  • Your private keys remain secure
  • Transactions are physically verified
  • Approvals cannot be tampered with

This gives you the freedom to explore Web3 with confidence.

Your Journey With Ledger Starts Here

Crypto is evolving at lightning speed, and your security tools should evolve with you. With a Ledger device and this guided start, you’re equipped to:

  • Control your own assets
  • Protect your digital identity
  • Explore the crypto ecosystem safely
  • Grow your knowledge and confidence

Whether you're holding crypto long-term, actively trading, experimenting with NFTs, or diving into DeFi, Ledger Start ensures you always take the secure path forward.

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