Start Up Your Ledger Device — Secure Setup & Official-style Guide

Welcome to Ledger.com/Start® — a clear, secure and friendly guide to starting up your Ledger hardware wallet. This page explains how to download Ledger Live, install the desktop app, connect using Ledger Bridge (if needed), initialize your device, safely record your recovery phrase, and manage crypto assets. Whether you are new to hardware wallets or refreshing your setup, this guide keeps security first: private keys stay offline and you confirm every transaction on your physical device.

Why follow Ledger.com/Start®?

Using official channels to download Ledger Live and following recommended steps reduces risk. Ledger.com/Start® style onboarding ensures verified downloads, authentic firmware updates, in-device confirmation for transactions, and best practices to store recovery phrases offline. This guide focuses on practical, valuable steps that are easy to follow and built to be indexable for search engines like Microsoft Bing when published with FAQ schema and clear headings.

Verified Downloads
Always use ledger.com to download Ledger Live desktop installers and verify signatures when provided.
Offline Keys
Private keys remain on your Ledger device — Ledger Live is only the management interface.
Recovery Safety
Record the 24-word recovery phrase offline and store in a secure location like a safe or steel backup.
Firmware Integrity
Apply firmware updates through Ledger Live; confirm on-device and never from unknown links.

Step-by-step: Download, Install, Start

1) Visit the official Ledger.com downloads page and select Ledger Live Desktop for Windows, macOS or Linux. 2) Download the installer and verify checksums or signatures if available. 3) Run the installer and open Ledger Live. 4) Choose “Initialize as new device” or “Restore from recovery” based on your situation. 5) Connect your Ledger device and set a PIN directly on the device. 6) Write down the recovery phrase on the card provided — never store it digitally. 7) Add accounts for the cryptocurrencies you want to manage and confirm addresses on-device when sending or receiving funds. 

# example (linux) - replace with the official Ledger download URL
wget https://ledger.example/ledger-live-desktop.AppImage
chmod +x ledger-live-desktop.AppImage
./ledger-live-desktop.AppImage
Note: always replace example links with official Ledger URLs before running commands.

Security tips & best practices

  • Never share your 24-word recovery phrase. Ledger support will never ask for your seed.
  • Confirm addresses on-device. Always verify the recipient address on your Ledger screen before approving.
  • Keep software official. Use Ledger Live and trusted integrations listed by Ledger or well-known partners.
  • Backup physically. Store recovery on paper or a steel backup; avoid photos and cloud storage.

What to do if something goes wrong

If your device is not recognized, try a different USB cable or port, reinstall Ledger Live, or check OS drivers. If you suspect compromise, restore your wallet from the recovery phrase to a new device and move funds. Always consult official support pages rather than community links when troubleshooting.

Frequently Asked Questions — Ledger.com/Start®

1. What is Ledger.com/Start®?

Ledger.com/Start® is the recommended onboarding flow that explains how to safely start your Ledger hardware wallet, install Ledger Live, and follow security best practices.

2. Where do I download Ledger Live?

Always download Ledger Live from ledger.com/ledger-live (official Ledger downloads). Verify file authenticity when possible.

3. How do I set my PIN?

Set your device PIN on the Ledger hardware device screen during initialization — never enter a PIN elsewhere.

4. What is the recovery phrase?

The recovery phrase is a 24-word seed that backs up your wallet. Write it down offline and store it securely; never share it or store it digitally.

5. Can I restore my wallet on another device?

Yes — using your 24-word recovery phrase you can restore accounts on another Ledger device or a compatible wallet that supports the same seed standard.

6. Is Ledger Bridge required?

Some configurations or older OSes may need a helper for secure USB communication. Follow the official instructions provided during installation.

7. How often should I update firmware?

Apply firmware updates when Ledger Live notifies you. Updates fix security issues and add improvements — confirm updates only on-device.

8. What fees does Ledger charge?

Ledger does not take transaction fees — blockchain network fees apply when sending assets. Third-party services may have fees displayed during actions.

9. My device is not recognized — what now?

Try a new cable, different USB port, reinstall Ledger Live, reboot your computer, or consult official support pages for OS-specific instructions.

10. Where is official help available?

Use Ledger's official support center and knowledge base. Avoid third-party troubleshooting that asks for your recovery phrase or private keys.