Ledger Getting Started Hub — ledger.com/start

Introduction

Welcome! This guide is designed for people who are new to Ledger hardware wallets and those returning to check best practices. Throughout you'll find step-by-step instructions, security recommendations, common troubleshooting tips, and official resources to explore. Use the headings (H1–H5) to navigate quickly; each section is concise and action-focused.

What you'll learn

• How to unbox and initialize a Ledger device safely.
• How to install and use Ledger Live to manage accounts and apps.
• Security habits to protect seed phrases and device PINs.
• How to recover from common issues and where to find official help.

H1 — First steps: Unbox & prepare

Unboxing

When your Ledger arrives, inspect the packaging for tamper evidence. Genuine Ledger packaging is sealed and includes the device, a recovery sheet, and cables. If anything looks tampered with, stop and contact official support immediately.

Checklist before you begin

• Charge the device if necessary and read the quick start card.
• Have a quiet space to write your recovery phrase — pen and paper only.
• Do not take photos of your recovery phrase or enter it into a computer or phone.

Quick tip

Ledger will never ask for your 24-word recovery phrase online. If anyone asks — it’s a scam.

H2 — Install Ledger Live and add accounts

Download Ledger Live

Download Ledger Live from the official site and verify the installer if prompted. Ledger Live is the desktop and mobile companion app for managing your cryptocurrency accounts and installing device apps.

Security reminder

Always verify the app’s signature when prompted and keep Ledger Live updated to the latest version for security patches and new coin support.

H3 — Security best practices

Protect your PIN and recovery phrase

Your PIN protects access to the device and the 24-word recovery phrase restores funds if the device is lost. Store the recovery phrase offline, ideally in two secure physical locations (for example, a home safe and a safety deposit box).

Do NOT:

• Store your recovery phrase digitally (photos, cloud, email).
• Share your recovery phrase with anyone, even if they claim to be support.

Advanced options

Consider using a metal seed storage device for long-term resilience against fire and water damage. For power users, plausible deniability approaches and multi-device redundancy are options — but understand the complexity and risks before pursuing them.

H4 — Daily use: receiving, sending, and managing assets

Receiving crypto

Always verify the receiving address on the Ledger device screen before sending funds to it. Addresses shown in Ledger Live should be cross-checked on the device to avoid malware-manipulated addresses.

Sending crypto

When sending, confirm transaction details (amount, fee, recipient) on the device screen and sign on-device. Never authorize a transaction you don’t recognize.

H5 — Troubleshooting & recovery

Common issues

• Device not recognized by Ledger Live: try a different USB cable or port, and ensure drivers are up to date.
• Forgotten PIN: you can restore your wallet to a new device using your recovery phrase.

When to contact support

Contact official Ledger support only through pages listed below. Do not share your recovery phrase with any support representative or in any online form.

Resources — Official links & further reading

Below are direct official Ledger resources for downloads, support, and deeper learning. Each link is clearly labeled; use them to verify software and to find step-by-step articles.

Each link above points to an official Ledger domain. Bookmark them so you always have a trusted starting point.