Ledger.com/start — Your Gateway to Securing Crypto with Ledger
If you’ve just bought a Ledger hardware wallet (like the Ledger Nano X or Nano S Plus), one of the first URLs you’ll see recommended in the packaging or Quick Start guide is ledger.com/start. But what exactly is ledger.com/start? Why is it central to your crypto security journey? And how do you use it properly?
In this article, we’ll walk you through:
What ledger.com/start is and why it matters
How to use it to set up your Ledger hardware wallet
Downloading and installing Ledger Live
Restoring an existing wallet using your recovery phrase
Common mistakes and security pitfalls
FAQs and best practices
What Is Ledger.com/start?
ledger.com/start is the official onboarding portal provided by Ledger SAS (the company behind Ledger hardware wallets). Its primary purpose is to guide users through the initial setup, wallet recovery, and safe installation of the companion software (Ledger Live).
Key functions of ledger.com/start include:
Providing verified download links to Ledger Live (desktop and mobile)
Offering step-by-step instructions for setting up or restoring a Ledger device
Ensuring users start from an authentic, secure point (to minimize phishing risks)
Educating users about best security practices and how to verify their device start-ledger+3Ledger+3support.ledger.com+3
In short, it's the “launch pad” you should use before interacting with your Ledger device or installing any related apps.
Why Ledger.com/start Is Crucial (and Non-Negotiable)
You might think, “Can’t I just download Ledger Live via a search engine?” Technically yes, but doing that exposes you to risks: phishing websites, fake apps, or malware disguised as Ledger Live. Starting from ledger.com/start ensures:
You get the authentic, official version of Ledger Live
You follow security-vetted instructions
You reduce the chances of falling into traps set by malicious actors
You can verify that your device is genuine via the Ledger Live interface
Because ledger.com/start is part of the Ledger official domain and is intended for onboarding, skipping it increases the risk that your setup was compromised. In the Ledger documentation as well as community guides, it's emphasized that the only safe place to download Ledger Live is via the official channels starting from ledger.com/start. start-ledger+3support.ledger.com+3Ledger+3
How to Use Ledger.com/start — Step by Step
Here’s a detailed walkthrough of using ledger.com/start to set up your device or restore an existing wallet.
Step 1: Visit the Website Securely
Open your browser and type https://www.ledger.com/start directly (don’t click through random links).
Check that the SSL certificate is valid (look for the padlock in the address bar).
Bookmark the page so you return to the correct site in future.
Step 2: Choose Your Device & Platform
On ledger.com/start, you’ll be prompted to pick which Ledger hardware model you have (e.g., Nano X, Nano S Plus). The portal will then present instructions and download options appropriate for your device.
Step 3: Download Ledger Live
From ledger.com/start, you’ll get official download links to Ledger Live for:
Desktop (Windows, macOS, Linux)
Mobile (iOS and Android) Ledger+2Ledger+2
Click the version corresponding to your platform and download the installer.
Step 4: Install and Launch Ledger Live
Run the downloaded installer (on desktop) or install the app (on mobile).
Open Ledger Live.
It may prompt you to update the app (if there's a newer version) — always accept upgrades from official sources.
Step 5: Connect Your Ledger Device
Use the USB cable provided (or Bluetooth if your device supports it) to connect Ledger hardware to your computer or mobile.
The device should power on and display a welcome screen.
Step 6: Initialize or Restore
Ledger Live gives you two main options:
Set up a new device
Choose a PIN
Generate a 24-word recovery phrase
Verify the recovery phrase (the device may ask you to re-enter certain words)
The device is now ready to use
Restore a wallet from recovery phrase
Enter your 24-word seed phrase in the correct order
Choose a new PIN
After restoration, your accounts and balances (on relevant blockchains) will become accessible once you add them in Ledger Live
If you're restoring, always do this via the device itself—not by entering the phrase into a computer or app. support.ledger.com+2Ledger+2
Step 7: Add Crypto Accounts in Ledger Live
Within the Ledger Live app, go to "Accounts" and click “+ Add account”.
Select the cryptocurrency (e.g., Bitcoin, Ethereum) you want to add.
Ledger Live may prompt you to install the respective coin app on your Ledger device (via the “Manager” section).
Confirm each action on the physical device.
Once done, your balances will sync and you can send/receive funds or interact with DeFi/NFT as supported.
Step 8: Secure Your Recovery Phrase & Backup
Store the recovery phrase offline and in a physically safe place (e.g., a metal plate, paper in a safety deposit box).
Never store it digitally or share it with anyone.
You may want to make multiple backups in different secure locations in case one is lost or damaged.
Restoring a Wallet via Ledger.com/start
If you already have a Ledger wallet and know your 24-word recovery phrase, ledger.com/start also supports the restore flow:
After downloading Ledger Live, choose “Restore device from recovery phrase”
Enter your 24 words carefully in the correct order
Set a new PIN
Use Ledger Live to add accounts and resume managing your crypto
This is ideal if your device was lost, stolen, or damaged. Ledger.com/start is the reliable point to initiate that restoration securely. Ledger+2start-ledger+2
Common Mistakes & Security Pitfalls to Avoid
Using ledger.com/start helps you avoid many mistakes, but here are pitfalls people still fall into:
MistakeWhy It’s DangerousHow to AvoidTyping the recovery phrase into a computer or appIf the device is compromised or it's a phishing app, your funds can be stolenUse only the physical device for recovery — never enter seed words into Ledger Live or any websiteDownloading Ledger Live from third-party sitesYou may get a malicious or fake versionAlways use the download links from ledger.com/startSkipping verification stepsYou might miss phishing or fraudAlways verify SSL, check device authenticity, follow instructions strictlyLosing or exposing your recovery phraseIf someone gets your 24-word phrase, they control your fundsKeep multiple air-gapped backups offline, never online or sharedUsing public Wi-Fi while setting upIt may allow man-in-the-middle attacksUse your home or trusted network during setupReusing PINs or weak PINsA simple PIN is easier to guessChoose a strong, non-obvious PIN
One community user on Reddit emphasized this critical point:
“No matter what Ledger Live says, do NOT enter your seed phrase into it. … The Ledger device is the ONLY electronic device that should see or know your seed phrase.”Reddit
FAQs about Ledger.com/start
Q1: Is ledger.com/start the official Ledger website?
Yes. It is the official onboarding portal for Ledger hardware wallets. Always ensure you go there (not a lookalike) when setting up or restoring your device.
Q2: Can I use ledger.com/start on mobile?
Yes. The page is accessible via mobile browsers, and it links to the mobile versions of Ledger Live for iOS and Android. Ledger+2support.ledger.com+2
Q3: What if ledger.com/start doesn’t load or is blocked?
Check your internet connection, clear browser cache, try another browser, disable browser extensions, or verify DNS settings. If problems persist, contact Ledger support.
Q4: What if I already used a third-party site to set up my Ledger?
If there's any doubt about legitimacy, it's safer to reset your device (enter wrong PIN 3 times to wipe), and then initialize it fresh via ledger.com/start using your recovery phrase. This ensures you start from a secure base.
Q5: What happens if I lose both my device and the recovery phrase?
Unfortunately, losing both means you cannot recover your funds. Always keep your recovery phrase in a secure but retrievable location.
Why It’s Worth Spending Time on ledger.com/start
Using ledger.com/start might feel like an extra step, but in the world of crypto, security is everything. A compromised setup can lead to irreversible losses. Ledger.com/start ensures:
You start with a trusted, authentic environment
You follow the correct initialization or restoration steps
You avoid phishing, fake apps, or malicious downloads
Your recovery phrase is handled securely
You get official guidance linked to Ledger’s ecosystem
In effect, ledger.com/start acts as your trusted onboarding interface to the Ledger ecosystem.
