Ledger.com/Start™ — Official⁕⁕ Onboarding Portal

Welcome — what is Ledger.com/Start™?

Ledger.com/Start™ is the official onboarding portal designed to guide new Ledger hardware wallet owners (and curious returners) through the first, most important steps: unboxing, device setup, securely recording your recovery phrase, connecting to Ledger Live, and understanding best safety practices.

This article is a full, friendly walkthrough — written to be exhaustive yet approachable. We'll use clear headings (H1 → H5), helpful checklists, code-style tips for technical parts, and colorful visual cues to keep things pleasant. Wherever it helps, we also link directly to the official portal: https://www.ledger.com/start (that's link #4).

Table of contents

1. Why use Ledger and an official onboarding portal?
2. Before you begin (what you need)
3. Step-by-step onboarding (unboxing → setup)
4. Ledger Live walkthrough and account creation
5. Security best practices and common pitfalls
6. Troubleshooting and support resources
7. Final checklist and what to do next

Quick access to the official portal: Open Ledger.com/Start™ (link #5)

Why use Ledger and the official onboarding portal?

Security-first by design

Ledger hardware wallets store private keys in a secure element, isolated from your computer and phone. Onboarding via the official portal reduces risk: it ensures you follow steps Ledger recommends and prevents risky third-party guidance. If you want to begin setup right away, use the official onboarding page: https://www.ledger.com/start (link #6).

Consistency and clear instructions

The portal provides consistent visuals, firmware verification, and step checks that help you avoid mistakes while recording your recovery phrase — the most critical single task in the process.

Short reminder

Your recovery phrase is the only way to restore your wallet if your device is lost or damaged. Never share it. Never type it into a website or take a photo.

Before you begin — what you need

Checklist

• Ledger hardware device (Nano S Plus, Nano X, or newer)
• Original packaging and PIN card (for verification)
• Computer or smartphone with USB or Bluetooth (for Ledger Live)
• Pen & paper (preferably the recovery sheet supplied) — or a secure metal backup
• Stable internet connection
• Time and focus — plan 20–40 minutes for a careful setup

When you're ready, follow the official step-by-step onboarding portal: Ledger.com/Start™ (link #7).

Step-by-step onboarding

1. Unboxing and verifying the device

Carefully inspect the packaging for tamper-evident seals. Ledger devices are shipped sealed; if a package appears opened or tampered with, contact Ledger support before proceeding.

2. Power on and choose PIN

When the device boots, follow on-device prompts. Create a PIN code that you can remember but is not easily guessable. The device will confirm the PIN twice.

3. Write down your recovery phrase

The device will display a 24-word recovery phrase (some devices may present a 12-word phrase depending on model/configuration). Write each word, in order, on the recovery card provided. Double-check spelling and order.

Best practice

• Write the words by hand — never store them digitally.
• Store the sheet in a secure place (consider a safe or a fireproof, waterproof metal backup).
• Do not share or photograph the phrase. Never enter it on a website or app.

4. Confirm the recovery phrase on-device

Ledger will ask you to confirm a few words from your phrase to ensure you recorded them correctly. Complete this step carefully.

5. Install Ledger Live and connect

Download Ledger Live from the official source linked on the onboarding portal and follow instructions to connect your device. Ledger Live manages accounts, allows firmware updates, and provides transaction signing functionality.

Official download link and portal: https://www.ledger.com/start (link #8).

Quick technical tip

When connecting:
1. Use the official Ledger Live installer.
2. Allow necessary USB permissions on your OS.
3. Only accept firmware updates when on the official app.

6. Add accounts and test with a small transaction

After adding an account (Bitcoin, Ethereum, etc.) to Ledger Live, send a small test amount from another wallet to ensure everything is working before moving larger sums.

Ledger Live walkthrough

Ledger Live is your primary interface. Here's a tour of the most important features.

Dashboard

The Dashboard shows portfolio balances, recent activity, and quick actions. Use it to spot unusual changes quickly.

Manager

The Manager lets you install or uninstall currency apps on your device. Install only the apps you actively use to preserve device storage.

Accounts

Each account corresponds to a blockchain (e.g., Bitcoin, Ethereum). You can create multiple accounts per currency for organizational purposes.

Send & Receive

Receiving: always verify the receiving address on your Ledger device screen before confirming in Ledger Live. Sending: Ledger requires physical confirmation on the device for every transaction — this prevents remote malware from signing transactions without you seeing details on the secure element.

For the official Ledger Live download and instructions, follow the onboarding portal: Ledger Start (link #9).

Security best practices & common pitfalls

Never share your recovery phrase

This cannot be repeated enough: anyone with your recovery phrase can access your funds. Ledger staff, support, or community members will never ask for your full 24-word phrase.

Beware of phishing

Phishing sites and fake Ledger apps attempt to collect sensitive info. Always use the official portal linked above and double-check domain names. Bookmark https://www.ledger.com/start and enter it directly when needed.

Firmware & app updates

Ledger occasionally releases firmware updates. Only update when using Ledger Live or following instructions from the official portal. If an update seems unexpected, verify via the official portal before applying.

How to verify you're on the official portal

1. Check the domain carefully: ledger.com is the official domain.
2. Look for HTTPS and a valid certificate (browser lock icon).
3. Prefer bookmarked links or direct navigation rather than search result clicks for critical pages.

Troubleshooting & support

Common issues

• Device not recognized by computer — check cable and USB drivers.
• Ledger Live failing to connect — restart Ledger Live, try another USB port, and ensure device is unlocked when connecting.
• Lost recovery phrase — if lost, your only recourse is to use the phrase backup or any secondary backup you made; Ledger cannot recover it for you.

When to contact support

If you suspect tampering, a compromised recovery phrase, or a suspicious firmware prompt, stop and contact Ledger support via the official site. For direct support and resources, begin at the onboarding portal: https://www.ledger.com/start (link #10).

Final checklist — ready to go?

• Device unboxed and checked for tamper evidence.
• PIN created and memorized (or stored safely).
• Recovery phrase written down and verified on-device.
• Ledger Live downloaded from the official portal and connected.
• Small test transaction completed successfully.
• Secure backup (metal if possible) prepared and stored.

One more time — official portal

If at any step you want to re-check the official instructions, use the Ledger onboarding page: Ledger.com/Start™.

Closing thoughts

Setting up a Ledger device is one of the best ways to take custody of your crypto with strong security. It rewards careful, patient onboarding. Use the official portal (we've linked it repeatedly so you can access it quickly): https://www.ledger.com/start.

Stay calm and deliberate

Security processes can feel intimidating; go step-by-step and don’t rush the recovery phrase step. If anything feels off, pause and consult the official guidance rather than improvising.