Start strong: hardware-backed onboarding for secure crypto

Ledger.com/start is the official starting point for setting up your Ledger wallet, guiding you through device initialization, installing coin apps, adding accounts, and learning on‑device verification so private keys remain offline and protected by hardware signatures.

Ledger.com/start Get Started with Ledger Wallet Private keys offline On-device verification Portfolio tracking

Quick highlights

  • Trusted start Follow Ledger.com/start to initialize and verify your device with clear, guided steps.
  • Hardware isolation Keys are generated and stored on your Ledger device; apps prepare transactions you confirm on-device.
  • Self‑custody principle “Not your keys, not your coins” underscores why the recovery phrase and device matter.

Keywords: Ledger.com/start, Get Started with Ledger Wallet, hardware wallet, recovery phrase, PIN, passphrase, private keys offline, transaction signing, Bitcoin wallet, Ethereum wallet, Ledger Live.

Overview

Get Started with Ledger Wallet means combining a friendly desktop interface with device‑backed signing. You view balances, prepare sends, and add accounts from Ledger Live while confirming addresses, amounts, and operation types on your Ledger device’s screen. This split preserves privacy and limits exposure to malware or clipboard tampering because the signatures never leave the secure hardware boundary.

The start flow is intentionally structured: connect and unlock, install coin apps, add accounts, and test a small transaction. Each step builds familiarity with on‑device prompts so your habits become second nature. Over time, labels, filters, and portfolio charts help organize multi‑asset holdings without losing sight of the essential: every sensitive action runs through your hands on the hardware device.

Before you begin

Never type the recovery phrase into any computer or phone. Keep it offline and private; it is the ultimate fallback for your accounts.

Setup steps at Ledger.com/start

Step 1

Connect and unlock your device

Plug in your Ledger device and unlock it with your PIN on the device screen. Follow the guided instructions so you understand where confirmations happen and why. A stable connection keeps app installations and account discovery smooth and predictable.

✓ Complete
Step 2

Initialize and secure with recovery phrase

Create your wallet on the device and write down the recovery phrase in exact order. Double‑check spelling and numbering. Store the phrase offline, ideally in a durable form. If your device is lost or damaged, you restore with this phrase on a new hardware wallet.

✓ Complete
Step 3

Install coin apps and add accounts

In Ledger Live, install coin‑specific apps as required and add accounts for Bitcoin, Ethereum, and supported assets. Use labels to separate spending, savings, and testing; clarity reduces mistakes and helps during audits and taxes.

✓ Complete
Step 4

Practice send/receive with small amounts

Prepare a small transaction in Ledger Live, then verify the destination address and amount on the device screen before approving. Receive into a labeled account and confirm settlement in history. Repetition builds confidence for daily operations.

✓ Complete

The principle is simple: the app is your dashboard; the device is your vault. You always confirm on‑device before an action goes live — that’s how private keys remain offline and protected.

Feature deep dive

Portfolio overview

Track balances, performance, and recent activity across assets. Filters focus your view; labels clarify intent. With a glance, identify pending operations, staking rewards, or accounts that changed recently, keeping signals visible without noise.

ChartsLabelsHistory

Device‑backed signing

Every sensitive step runs through your Ledger device: addresses, amounts, and operation types show on‑screen for human verification. This flow defends against host‑based malware and clipboard attacks by shifting trust to a physical confirmation.

On‑deviceIsolationVerification

Staking & rewards

For supported networks, guided staking explains lockup, rewards cadence, and delegation. The app coordinates requests while on‑device approvals keep authorization explicit and auditable.

DelegationRewardsGuided steps

Swaps and ramps

Integrations simplify swapping assets and using fiat ramps where available. You still verify on‑device to authorize what’s happening, preserving a human‑in‑loop for decisions that move funds.

SwapsRampsHuman in loop

Recovery discipline

Your recovery phrase is the master key. Keep it offline, never share it, and consider robust storage. If disaster strikes, restoring with the phrase on a new device brings your accounts back without exposing private keys to the host.

BackupOfflineRestore

Account labeling

Labels reduce errors and make portfolios comprehensible: assign names for spending, savings, experiments, and long‑term holdings. Filters and exports strengthen oversight for teams and individuals alike.

FiltersExportsClarity

Get Started with Ledger Wallet means combining usability with hardware enforcement, so convenience never compromises security.

Security model and habits

The hardware wallet boundary is the core of secure crypto management. By requiring physical confirmations and never exporting private keys to the host, you reduce common attack vectors and retain clear human control of sensitive actions.

Combine technical protections with routines: label accounts, rehearse small test transactions after changes, review history for anomalies, and make on‑device checks non‑negotiable. Clear habits magnify the protection hardware isolation provides and keep everyday operations resilient.

FAQs

Does Ledger Live ever access my private keys?

No. Private keys are generated and stored on your Ledger hardware device; Ledger Live prepares operations while signatures are created on‑device.

What if I lose or damage my device?

Your recovery phrase restores accounts on a new hardware device. Keep the phrase offline and private; without it, funds cannot be recovered.

Do I need to install coin apps?

Yes. Install coin‑specific apps in Ledger Live as required, then add accounts for supported assets and label them for clarity.

Is staking available?

For supported networks, guided staking flows let you delegate and monitor rewards with on‑device confirmations to approve operations.

Why does everyone say “Not your keys, not your coins”?

Self‑custody depends on you controlling private keys. Hardware wallets keep keys offline, and your recovery phrase proves ownership — that’s the foundation of secure crypto management.