Ledger Start — Official Setup & First Steps

Overview: Ledger Start purpose and scope

Ledger Start provides a concise, authoritative guide for new Ledger users. This section explains the objectives of a Ledger Start: securely initialize a hardware wallet, register recovery credentials, install Ledger Live, and complete the first verified transaction. The Ledger Start approach emphasizes minimizing exposure of private keys and following documented security controls.

Before you begin: prerequisites for Ledger Start

For a successful Ledger Start you need the genuine Ledger device, a secure, offline location to record your recovery phrase, an up-to-date desktop or mobile device to run Ledger Live, and reliable internet only during software download and blockchain synchronization steps. Confirm the Ledger package tamper-evident seals are intact before proceeding with Ledger Start.

Step 1 — Physical inspection as part of Ledger Start

Begin Ledger Start by inspecting packaging and device integrity. Verify holographic seals and serial numbers against official Ledger documentation or the Ledger help center. If any seal appears tampered with, stop the Ledger Start and contact Ledger Support immediately through official channels.

Step 2 — Device initialization during Ledger Start

Initialize the device by powering it on and following on-device prompts. During Ledger Start you will choose whether to create a new wallet or restore from an existing recovery phrase. If creating a new wallet, the device will generate a new secure seed and present the 24-word recovery phrase on the device screen for manual transcription.

Record the recovery phrase only on the supplied recovery card or a secure, offline medium. Do not store the recovery phrase digitally or in cloud services during or after Ledger Start.

Step 3 — Installing Ledger Live as part of Ledger Start

Ledger Start requires Ledger Live to manage accounts and applications. Download Ledger Live exclusively from ledger.com and verify the installer checksum where available. Install Ledger Live, create or restore the app profile, and connect the Ledger device via USB or via supported Bluetooth (for Ledger devices that support it) when prompted in Ledger Live.

During Ledger Start, Ledger Live will walk you through application installation for supported blockchains (Ethereum, Bitcoin, Solana, etc.). Only install the applications you intend to use.

Step 4 — Accounts, networks, and first transaction in Ledger Start

After Ledger Start account creation, add the relevant blockchain accounts in Ledger Live. Confirm address derivation on the device display for every account-to-address mapping during Ledger Start. For your first transaction, send a small test amount to verify on-chain receipts and confirm the transaction signature on the device screen.

Security considerations integral to Ledger Start

Security is the core of every Ledger Start. Protect device PIN strength, keep firmware up to date through Ledger Live, and verify the device screen for transaction details before confirming signatures. Use a hardware or software firewall policy and endpoint protections on the host system when performing Ledger Start in enterprise contexts.

• Do not enter your recovery phrase into any online form or wallet during Ledger Start.
• Securely store the recovery phrase in multiple offline copies if required by your risk policy.
• Audit device firmware version and vendor signatures when performing Ledger Start at scale.

Troubleshooting and support after Ledger Start

If the device is unresponsive during Ledger Start, power-cycle and reconnect using the official cable. If Ledger Live fails to detect the device, confirm USB/driver compatibility and check operating system permissions. For unresolved issues during Ledger Start, open a support ticket through the official Ledger Support portal and reference device serial number and firmware version; never disclose the recovery phrase.

Enterprise and compliance guidance for Ledger Start

Organizations adopting Ledger Start should incorporate administrative controls, key custody policies, and incident response plans. For multi-user or institutional deployments, consider using Ledger’s enterprise solutions and consult compliance teams to align Ledger Start procedures with internal control frameworks and regulatory obligations.

Further resources to complete Ledger Start

To finalize Ledger Start, review Ledger’s official documentation, firmware release notes, and security advisories. Trusted integrations include Ledger Live, certified third-party wallets, and audited bridging or staking services. Maintain a regular update cadence after Ledger Start to ensure sustained device security and application compatibility.