🚀 Ledger.com/Start® | Getting Started — Your Secure Gateway to Crypto
The journey into the world of secure self-custody begins with a single, critical step: proper setup. For millions of hardware wallet owners globally, the official starting point is ledger.com/start. This dedicated page is the primary resource provided by Ledger Support, designed to guide new and existing users through the installation of the essential companion application—Ledger Live Desktop—and the initial configuration of their hardware wallet (Ledger Nano S Plus, Nano X, or other models).
This comprehensive guide will walk you through the entire process, emphasizing the critical security steps and the vital role of the Ledger Live Desktop application. By strictly following the instructions found at ledger.com/start, you ensure that the robust, offline security of your hardware wallet is seamlessly integrated with the intuitive interface of Ledger Live.
📍 Why ledger.com/start is Your Only Starting Point
In the cryptocurrency space, phishing and malware are ever-present threats. Malicious actors frequently create fake websites and applications designed to steal your Secret Recovery Phrase or private keys. Therefore, the single most important rule of hardware wallet security is to always go to the official source.
Ledger.com/Start is that source. It acts as the anchor point, guaranteeing you download the genuine Ledger Live Desktop application and follow the official, secure setup procedure validated by Ledger’s security team. Never rely on search engine results, random links, or unverified email attachments for the Ledger Live download.
🛠️ Phase 1: Downloading the Official Ledger Live Desktop Software
The core of managing your Ledger device is the Ledger Live application. This software serves as the secure, non-custodial portal to your crypto accounts, which are ultimately secured by your hardware wallet.
Step 1: Secure Download via ledger.com/start
Access the Official Page: Open your web browser and navigate directly to ledger.com/start.
Select Your Device: On the starting page, you will be prompted to select the specific Ledger hardware wallet model you own (e.g., Nano X, Nano S Plus).
Download Ledger Live: The page will direct you to download the Ledger Live Desktop application compatible with your operating system (Windows, macOS, or Linux). Confirm the download and save the installer file.
Step 2: Installation and Initial Launch
Install the Application: Run the downloaded installer file. Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the installation of Ledger Live Desktop.
Open Ledger Live: Launch the application. You will be greeted with the welcome screen and the option to "Get started."
Accept Terms and Privacy: Review and accept the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy, which are standard for any official software.
This initial phase, started at ledger.com/start, is crucial for ensuring the integrity of the software you will use to interact with your assets.
🔑 Phase 2: Setting Up Your Ledger Device
Once Ledger Live Desktop is running, it will guide you through the process of configuring your physical hardware wallet. This is the most critical security phase.
Step 3: Choose Your Setup Path
Ledger Live will present several options based on your experience:
Set up a new device (Recommended for new users): This process involves generating a new, unique Secret Recovery Phrase, which is the master key to your crypto.
Restore from a recovery phrase: If you are migrating from an old device, this allows you to input your existing 24-word Secret Recovery Phrase to restore access to your assets.
Connect your device: If your Ledger is already set up and you are simply connecting it to a new computer running Ledger Live Desktop.
For first-time users, select "Set up a new device" and follow the application's instructions closely.
Step 4: PIN Code and Secret Recovery Phrase (The Offline Steps)
The next steps must be performed entirely on the physical Ledger device, without ever displaying the information on your computer screen. Ledger Live Desktop will provide instructions, but the actual critical process happens offline.
Set PIN Code: Use the physical buttons on your Ledger device to set a 4- to 8-digit PIN code. This PIN is used to lock and unlock the device.
Write Down Secret Recovery Phrase: The device will then display your 24-word Secret Recovery Phrase, one word at a time.
CRITICAL: Write these 24 words down only on the provided recovery sheets.
NEVER digitally store this phrase (no photos, screenshots, cloud storage, or typed files).
This phrase is the only backup for your funds. If you lose it or someone else obtains it, your crypto can be stolen.
Confirm the Phrase: Your Ledger device will then prompt you to confirm a random selection of the 24 words to ensure you wrote them down correctly. This is the final step in securing your device.
The instructions provided by Ledger Live after visiting ledger.com/start are synchronized with these physical security procedures, guaranteeing you don't miss any vital steps.
✅ Phase 3: The Genuine Check and Finalizing Ledger Live
Once your PIN and Secret Recovery Phrase are set and verified on the device, you must connect the device to your computer to finalize the setup within Ledger Live Desktop.
Step 5: The Ledger Genuine Check
Connect Your Device: Plug your Ledger device into your computer using the supplied USB cable.
Unlock the Device: Enter your PIN code on the device to unlock it.
Run Genuine Check: Ledger Live Desktop will automatically perform a cryptographic check. This process is essential as it verifies that your Ledger device is authentic and has not been tampered with. Only a genuine Ledger device can provide the proof required to pass this check. This feature, built into Ledger Live, is a major security benefit of starting at ledger.com/start.
Confirmation: Once confirmed as genuine, Ledger Live will display a reassuring message: "All Good! Your Ledger device is genuine and ready to use."
Step 6: Setting up the Ledger Live Desktop Interface
Install Apps (My Ledger): Navigate to the "My Ledger" manager section within Ledger Live Desktop. This is where you install the specific blockchain applications (e.g., Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana) onto your hardware wallet. You must install the corresponding app on the device for every cryptocurrency you wish to manage.
Add Accounts: After installing the necessary apps, navigate to the "Accounts" section and click "Add account." Ledger Live will communicate with your connected device to scan the blockchain and synchronize your public addresses, allowing you to view your balances and transaction history securely within the Ledger Live Desktop interface.
This entire sequence, initiated by visiting ledger.com/start, transforms your hardware device from a sealed product into a fully functional, secure crypto vault managed through the powerful Ledger Live software.
🌐 The Role of Ledger Live Desktop Beyond Setup
While the initial setup is critical, the power of Ledger Live Desktop extends far into daily asset management, making it the indispensable tool for any Ledger owner.
Secure Portfolio Management
The primary function of Ledger Live is to provide a comprehensive, real-time portfolio dashboard. It securely aggregates the value of all your managed assets, tracking prices and performance without ever requiring your private keys to leave the hardware wallet. This unified view, secured by your device, is a cornerstone of the Ledger Live Desktop experience.
Seamless Transactions
Sending and receiving crypto is done directly through the Ledger Live Desktop interface.
Receiving: Ledger Live generates the receiving address, but critically, you are always prompted to verify the address on the trusted screen of your hardware wallet. This prevents "address substitution" malware from tricking you.
Sending: You initiate the transaction in the software, but the final, cryptographic signing action is performed offline by your Ledger device. This “What You See Is What You Sign” security model is the ultimate protection provided by Ledger Live.
The Web3 Ecosystem in Ledger Live
Ledger Live Desktop has evolved into a secure dApp hub, ensuring you can interact with Web3 services without exposing your keys:
Buy, Swap, & Stake: Integrated partners allow you to buy crypto with fiat, swap assets, and securely stake coins (like ETH, SOL, ATOM) to earn rewards, all from within the trusted environment of Ledger Live.
NFT Management: View, send, and receive NFTs directly in your portfolio, secured by the same hardware wallet signing process.
Discover: Access a curated list of decentralized applications (dApps), connecting to them securely using your Ledger as the signer, making DeFi and other Web3 activities safer than ever before.
By using Ledger Live Desktop, you are not just storing crypto; you are securely participating in the entire digital economy, with the assurance that your private keys are protected by the hardware and the setup procedure you completed starting at ledger.com/start.
💡 Final Thoughts
For anyone embracing self-custody, the combination of a Ledger hardware wallet and the official Ledger Live Desktop application is the industry gold standard. The meticulous setup process, starting at the verified portal ledger.com/start, is the non-negotiable first line of defense. By downloading the official Ledger Live software, diligently securing your Secret Recovery Phrase offline, and always verifying transactions on the device screen, you maintain absolute control and security over your digital future. The power of Ledger Live Desktop is that it provides a user-friendly window to a complex, secure, and decentralized world. Never take shortcuts; always start and manage your journey through the official Ledger channels.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: What is the purpose of ledger.com/start?
A: ledger.com/start is the official and most secure starting point for all new Ledger hardware wallet owners. Its main purpose is to guide users to the genuine download link for the Ledger Live Desktop application and provide a step-by-step tutorial for the initial setup, including PIN creation and securing the Secret Recovery Phrase. It is crucial to use this link to avoid phishing and counterfeit software.
Q2: Is Ledger Live Desktop mandatory to use my Ledger device?
A: Ledger Live Desktop is the official, all-in-one application recommended for managing your Ledger device. While the device can technically be used with some third-party wallet software, Ledger Live is required to perform crucial functions like installing apps on the device, updating the device's firmware, and running the critical Genuine Check. It offers the most comprehensive and secure user experience.
Q3: Where should I store my 24-word Secret Recovery Phrase?
A: Your Secret Recovery Phrase must be stored offline and in a secure, secret location. Never store it on a computer, phone, in cloud storage (like Google Drive or Dropbox), in a password manager, or take a picture of it. The setup instructions provided via Ledger Live after visiting ledger.com/start emphasize writing it down on the provided recovery sheets and securing them in a fireproof or tamper-proof place.
Q4: How does Ledger Live protect my crypto?
A: Ledger Live is a non-custodial interface. It protects your crypto by never having access to your private keys, which remain offline inside the secure chip of your hardware wallet. All sensitive operations, such as sending crypto, must be physically confirmed by you on the device's small screen. If your computer is compromised, an attacker using Ledger Live Desktop cannot steal your funds without the physical device and its PIN.
Q5: What is the "Genuine Check" in Ledger Live Desktop?
A: The Genuine Check is a proprietary, cryptographic security feature within Ledger Live Desktop. When you connect your device, this check verifies that the device is a legitimate Ledger product and has not been maliciously modified or compromised. Passing the Genuine Check, which you perform during setup guided by ledger.com/start, is an essential confirmation of your device's physical security.