PERSONAL SECURITY / START HERE
Start with
certainty.
A practical field guide to setting up and protecting your Ledger experience. Six deliberate checkpoints. One clear sequence.
BEGIN THE SEQUENCE
OPERATIONAL SEQUENCE
The first six checkpoints.
Proceed at your own pace.
Verify before you approve.
ORIENTATION
STEP 01 — 06START / A considered beginning.
Ledger.com/start is the beginning point for learning how a Ledger signer fits into your digital-asset routine. Think of this guide as a calm operational sequence—not a promise of risk-free activity. A hardware wallet helps keep private keys protected by a dedicated device, while you remain responsible for every decision, address, and recovery detail.
Move through the stages in order. Pause whenever a detail is unfamiliar. The goal is not to move quickly; it is to understand what you are approving and how access is protected. A signer does not remove every risk: scams, compromised devices, mistaken transfers, and unsupported assets still require your attention. Treat the device as one part of a broader personal security practice, and keep expectations grounded in the product information available for your exact model.
BEFORE YOU CONNECT
STEP 02 — 06PREPARE / Set the conditions first.
Choose a quiet moment and a trusted computer or phone you control. Update its operating system, use a screen lock, and avoid shared or public machines. Make sure you have reliable access to the email account and network you normally use. If the device or packaging appears damaged or unexpectedly opened, stop and contact official support through a verified channel.
Decide in advance where recovery information can be written down and stored privately. Keep it away from cameras, cloud drives, messaging apps, password screenshots, and anyone offering to “help” by asking to see it. Never send funds or reveal secrets to meet a deadline. Check that you have enough uninterrupted time to complete setup and read each prompt without pressure. If you need accessibility support, look for official guidance before handing control of the device to someone else.
SOURCE INTEGRITY
STEP 03 — 06VERIFY / Trust the route, not the prompt.
Begin from Ledger.com by typing the address yourself or using a bookmark you created after checking it. Confirm the spelling and secure connection before continuing. Download Ledger Live only from the official Ledger website or an official app store listing that you have independently checked; do not follow unsolicited links, search ads, QR codes, or direct messages.
During setup, follow the instructions shown in the official software and on the device itself. Read prompts on the hardware wallet display carefully. If a website, support agent, or computer asks you to disclose your recovery phrase, stop: it is not a legitimate setup requirement. Treat unexpected urgency as a warning signal.
DEVICE INITIALIZATION
STEP 04 — 06SET UP / Follow the device, step by step.
Unbox the wallet and connect it as directed for your model. Install or open Ledger Live from a verified source, then allow the device and application to guide you through initialization. You may be asked to create a new wallet or restore access using an existing recovery phrase. Choose intentionally: restoring is for people who already have their own valid recovery information.
Create a PIN on the device and keep it private. During new-wallet setup, the device generates recovery information; record it exactly as instructed, in order, using the supplied recovery method. Check each word and placement before confirming. Do not use a phrase supplied by another person or one found online. Follow official device checks if offered, and resolve any warning before proceeding.
RECOVERY & CONTROL
STEP 05 — 06SECURE / Protect the recovery path.
Your recovery phrase is a master backup: anyone who obtains it may be able to access the associated assets. Keep it offline, private, and physically protected from loss, theft, fire, and water. Never type it into a website, computer, phone, form, or chat; never photograph it or store it in a cloud account. Ledger support will not need it.
A PIN protects access to the physical device; it does not replace careful recovery-phrase custody. Consider what would happen if you were unavailable and plan appropriate, secure continuity without making extra digital copies. Confirm the exact receiving address and transaction details on the device screen before approving. A screen you control is part of the verification boundary. Remember that anyone with physical access may observe your PIN, so shield it when entering it and avoid predictable combinations. Use a private environment when handling your backup; do not discuss its contents aloud or leave it visible to visitors.
PRE-FLIGHT CHECK
STEP 06 — 06REVIEW / Close the loop before you act.
Take one final pass through your setup. The device is initialized in the intended mode; your PIN is private; recovery information is accurate, offline, and stored somewhere only you can access. Ledger Live came from a source you verified. You can distinguish legitimate device prompts from requests made by an untrusted website or person.
Before sending anything, test your understanding with a small, deliberate review: verify the network, destination, amount, and fees; compare the address shown on the device with the address you intend to use; and decline if anything differs. Keep software and device firmware current through official instructions. This guide is educational, not financial, legal, or tax advice. Product features vary by model, region, and supported assets; consult current official documentation for details.
FINAL SYSTEM CHECK
END OF BRIEFING
When in doubt,
stop and verify.
Security is a habit built from small, repeatable checks. Take time to verify the source, read the device, protect your recovery information, and seek help only through official channels you locate independently.
VISIT LEDGER.COM/START ↗