Official Site® | Ledger.com/Start®

Why start with the official flow?

Using the official start pathway ensures you follow manufacturer-recommended steps that protect your keys, reduce exposure to fake downloads and phishing, and verify device integrity. The official start flow guides you through firmware checks, secure initialization, and clear on-device confirmations — all designed to keep the private keys inside the Ledger device where they belong.

What you'll need

• Your Ledger hardware wallet (check model and included accessories).
• A trusted personal computer or supported mobile device.
• The original USB cable (or approved adapter for mobile use).
• A pen and the physical recovery card, or a durable metal backup for long-term storage.

Step 1 — Unboxing & inspection

Start by inspecting the packaging. Authentic devices arrive in tamper-evident packaging with manufacturer markings. If seals are broken or the box looks altered, stop — document the issue and seek official support before proceeding. Confirm the device, cable, recovery card, and documentation are present.

Step 2 — Prepare your environment

A secure environment reduces risk. Apply OS updates, reboot to start from a known-good state, and temporarily close unneeded applications. Remove or disable browser extensions that you don’t trust. Keep a clean desk and avoid distractions — this reduces accidental steps that could expose your recovery seed or PIN.

Step 3 — Install companion software

The official companion software provides the UI to initialize, manage accounts, and update firmware. When installing, obtain installers only from verified official sources and validate checksums or installers where provided. On macOS and Windows, watch for code signing and publisher details. On Linux, prefer the advised package and follow distribution instructions for udev/rules if necessary.

Step 4 — Initialize your Ledger

Connect the device to your host using the supplied cable. The device will display a welcome screen. The companion app will detect the device and walk you through either creating a new wallet or restoring from a recovery seed. For a new wallet, choose "Create a new device", set a PIN on the device, and record the recovery seed exactly as shown.

1. Choose "Create a new device" unless you are restoring from a known seed.
2. Set a secure PIN code directly on the device (do not write it on the seed card).
3. Write the recovery seed words on the supplied recovery card in order; store offline.
4. Confirm seed words as prompted to complete initialization.

The recovery seed is the ultimate backup: losing it means permanently losing access if the device is lost or damaged. Never store the seed on a computer, in cloud storage, or take pictures of it.

Step 5 — Firmware updates & verification

Firmware updates are essential for security. If the companion app prompts for an update, verify the prompt and perform the update on a trusted machine. Do not interrupt the device during an update. The device will display confirmation prompts — validate these on-device before approving.

Step 6 — Add accounts and test

After initialization and updates, add accounts (Bitcoin, Ethereum, etc.) in your companion software. Start with a small test transaction: receive a small amount, then send it back or to another account to confirm the full send/receive flow works and that address verification on-device matches the host UI.

Security best practices

Ledger devices provide strong protections, but you must adopt complementary operational practices:

• Keep recovery seed offline in at least two secure, geographically separated locations.
• Use a strong device PIN and never write it on the seed card.
• Verify transaction details on the device screen, not just in the companion app.
• Consider metal backup solutions for extreme durability against fire or water.
• Perform periodic recovery drills on a spare device to ensure you can restore if needed.

Advanced options — passphrases & multisig

For extra security or privacy, Ledger devices support optional passphrases (a “25th word”) and can be part of multisignature setups. These are advanced features: passphrases provide hidden wallets but increase operational complexity; multisig distributes signing across multiple keys and reduces single-point failure risk. Learn these features before using them widely.

Troubleshooting common issues

Problems are often environmental. If your device is not detected, try another USB cable or port, unlock the device before discovery, restart the companion app, and reboot the host. On Linux, check udev rules and permissions. If firmware update fails, retry on a trusted machine and avoid interrupting the device while updating.

Privacy & network hygiene

Companion apps may query public explorers to show balances. If privacy matters, consider running your own node, use VPN/Tor where appropriate, and avoid address reuse. For institutional use, adopt purpose-built signing stations and segregated networks to reduce metadata leakage.

Final checklist before live usage

• Unboxing inspection: seals intact and components present.
• Host preparation: trusted machine and up-to-date OS.
• Companion software installed from official source and verified.
• Device initialized: PIN set and recovery seed recorded offline.
• Firmware updated and verified.
• Test receive/send performed with small amounts.

Following the official start approach reduces risk and establishes a habit of verifying every critical step. With these practices in place, your Ledger hardware wallet becomes an effective, long-term guard for your cryptocurrency holdings.