Ledger.com/start
A considered first step toward managing a hardware wallet—with the checks, decisions, and security habits that matter before you begin.
Review the setup environment
SETUP ENVIRONMENT
Preparation is part of the security model.
Getting started is less about moving quickly through screens and more about knowing what each decision means. A hardware wallet is designed to keep private keys under your control while you review and approve transactions on the device. It does not remove every risk: the computer or phone you use, the software you install, and the addresses you approve all remain important parts of your security routine.
Before opening a package or connecting a device, identify the exact model and operating system you use. Hardware revisions, app versions, and available options can change over time. Treat this guide as independent orientation, not device-specific instructions or a substitute for the manufacturer's current documentation. If a screen differs from the instructions you have independently verified, pause and check the source before proceeding.
Operating principle A legitimate setup should never require you to type a recovery phrase into a website, chat, or computer application.
PREPARATION TERMINAL
Clear the bench before first power.
Set aside a quiet block of time. A first setup may involve reading, confirming details, and writing down recovery information carefully; interruptions invite mistakes. Use a private space where you can see the device screen and keep sensitive information away from cameras, shared desks, and other people.
- ✓Device & modelConfirm the product and follow its model-specific instructions.
DEVICE_ID - ✓Trusted endpointUse a personal, updated computer or phone you control.
HOST_OK - ✓Official software sourceReach the manufacturer's site by typing its address yourself.
APP_SOURCE - ✓Private, uninterrupted timePrepare a place to record and secure recovery information offline.
SPACE_CLEAR
Do not rely on sponsored search results, unsolicited messages, or links in comments to locate setup software.
SETUP SEQUENCE
Move deliberately, one checkpoint at a time.
The order below is a planning framework, not a universal button-by-button walkthrough. Let current official instructions for your specific device take precedence, and stop whenever a step does not match what you see.
- 01INSPECT
Inspect before connection
Check the packaging and device for anything unexpected. If its condition raises concern, do not connect it or enter sensitive information; contact the manufacturer through a support route you locate independently.
- 02SOURCE
Open the verified source
Navigate directly to the manufacturer's official site and find the current setup guide and companion software there. Check the address carefully and avoid look-alike domains or downloads supplied by another person.
- 03INITIALIZE
Initialize on the device
Follow the device's own instructions to create a new wallet or restore one you already control. Make this choice intentionally: creating a wallet and restoring an existing wallet are different operations.
- 04RECOVER
Record recovery information privately
If the device provides a recovery phrase, record it exactly as directed and confirm it using the device's verification process. Keep it offline, private, and separate from the wallet; never photograph, scan, email, upload, or share it.
- 05VERIFY
Complete checks on the screen
Set a device PIN or other supported access control, then confirm requested verification steps on the physical device. A PIN protects access to the device; it is not a replacement for safely stored recovery information.
- 06READY
Learn before transferring value
Review how account addresses and transaction approvals appear. For any future transfer, compare the full destination and relevant details on the device display itself. Begin only when you understand what you are authorizing.
SECURITY LAYER
Recovery information is the key to recover.
A recovery phrase, if your wallet uses one, can restore access to the assets associated with it. Anyone who obtains it may be able to control those assets without holding your device. Treat the phrase as a high-impact secret—not as a password you can safely paste into a support conversation or store in a cloud note.
Write it only in the manner the device and its verified instructions specify. Check spelling and order in private, then store the record somewhere physically protected from unauthorized access, loss, and foreseeable damage. Think through how you would regain access if your device were lost, while ensuring that the recovery record does not become easier for someone else to find. Never share it with support staff; genuine support does not need it.
If any person, site, app, QR code, or pop-up asks you to reveal or enter your recovery phrase, stop. Do not continue through the link. Close it and independently navigate to verified support documentation.
Also protect your PIN, computer account, and physical device. Keep your operating system current, use a screen lock, and do not leave an unlocked device unattended. Security is a set of habits across the full path from setup to transaction approval—not a property guaranteed by one piece of hardware.
VERIFICATION LAYER
Trust the route you verify, not the message that finds you.
Search listings, social posts, direct messages, and look-alike support pages can lead to convincing imitations. Start from the manufacturer's known domain entered in your browser, then follow links from there. Read the complete domain, not just a familiar word or logo. A lock icon indicates an encrypted connection; it does not prove that a website is the right one.
For device-specific details, consult the current official Ledger setup resources (opens in a new tab) and Ledger Support (opens in a new tab) by navigating to those domains yourself. Cross-check the product model, software version, and date of the instructions. If two sources disagree, pause rather than choosing the most urgent-sounding answer.
This page is an independently prepared educational guide and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or operated by Ledger. It does not distribute software or provide account support. Product features and setup screens can change; the manufacturer's verified, up-to-date instructions should govern actual device operation.
FINAL SYSTEM CHECK
Ready means informed—not rushed.
Before you finish, take one calm pass through this short review. If any answer is unclear, your next step is to verify—not to guess.
- 01
I found device instructions and software from a source I navigated to independently.
□ - 02
I understand whether I am creating a wallet or restoring one I already control.
□ - 03
My recovery information remains private, offline, and inaccessible to other people.
□ - 04
I know never to reveal a recovery phrase to a person, website, or application.
□ - 05
I can identify transaction details on the device before approving anything.
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