Ledger Start — Securely Begin Your Crypto Journey

Ledger Start is a clear, secure onboarding guide designed to help you begin your crypto journey with confidence. Ledger Start walks you through every essential step: downloading Ledger Live, verifying installers, connecting your hardware wallet, creating a recovery phrase on-device, setting a secure PIN, optionally enabling a passphrase, and performing your first safe transactions. Follow Ledger Start to keep your keys private, confirm addresses on-device, and avoid common mistakes that can lead to loss.

Why Ledger Start matters

Security begins at setup. Ledger Start emphasizes hardware-backed custody: private keys are created and stored on the Ledger device, not on your computer. By using ledger start best practices — verify downloads, generate your seed on-device, write the recovery phrase offline, and confirm every transaction on-device — you dramatically reduce the risk of phishing, malware, and remote theft.

Key features of Ledger Start

Ledger Start: step-by-step (quick)

1. Download Ledger Live: Use an official source and HTTPS. Do not accept installers from unverified sites.
2. Verify installer checksum: Where provided, compare the installer checksum (example: shasum -a 256 filename).
3. Install & open Ledger Live: Follow the guided flow — choose “Get started” and connect your Ledger device via USB or USB-C.
4. Create or restore wallet: Generate a new recovery phrase on-device or restore an existing one — never type your seed into a computer.
5. Set a secure PIN: Choose a PIN on-device to protect access; avoid easy patterns.
6. Write down the recovery phrase: Store the 24 words offline (paper or metal backup) and keep them in secure, separate locations.
7. Optional passphrase: Enable a passphrase for hidden wallets only if you understand recovery risks — a lost passphrase means lost funds for that hidden wallet.
8. Add accounts & test: Add accounts in Ledger Live, receive a small test deposit, and try sending a small test transaction to verify everything.

Security best practices — must follow

• Only download Ledger Live from verified official URLs and check signatures or checksums.
• Never share your recovery phrase; Ledger or any legitimate service will never ask for it.
• Store your recovery phrase offline and in at least two secure locations (consider a metal backup).
• Always verify receiving addresses on your Ledger device screen before sending.
• Keep firmware and Ledger Live up to date via official update channels.
• Be vigilant for phishing: bookmark official pages and avoid unsolicited links promising help with your seed.

Managing your crypto after Ledger Start

After onboarding, Ledger Live becomes your portfolio hub: monitor balances, check transaction history, perform in-app swaps, stake supported assets, and export reports for taxes. Ledger Start ensures that you begin with safe custody — Ledger Live and your device then provide ongoing, secure management of your holdings.

Troubleshooting common issues

If Ledger Live doesn’t recognize your device: try a different USB cable or port, unlock the device, and ensure firmware is not pending an update. For connectivity or permission issues on specific operating systems, consult official support docs and export logs if required. Always avoid using third-party tools to update firmware or seeds.