Official Site® | Ledger.com/Start®

Start **Secure Setup**

Welcome to the **Official Site** Guide

Getting started with Your
**Hardware Wallet**

Congratulations on choosing the definitive path for **Crypto Security**! This official `Ledger.com/Start` guide provides the simple, step-by-step instructions necessary for the **Secure Setup** of your device. Protecting your **Digital Assets** begins here.

Ready to begin? Click to start the **Secure Setup**

Why This **Secure Setup** Matters for Your **Digital Assets**

You own your **Digital Assets**. Unlike exchanges, where you trust a third party, your **Hardware Wallet** puts you in complete control. The initial **Secure Setup** process is the most vital action you will take. It’s the moment your **Private Keys**—the cryptographic proof of ownership for your **Cryptocurrency**—are generated offline, totally isolated from the internet. This isolation is the bedrock of **Crypto Security**.

The `Ledger.com/Start` process ensures that you correctly record your **Recovery Phrase**. This phrase is the only backup of your **Private Keys**. If your device is ever lost or damaged, this phrase is the master key required to restore access to your funds on any new Ledger device. It must be written down on the provided recovery sheets and stored offline in a highly secure, secret location. **Never** take a photo of it, and **never** enter it into a computer or phone. This non-digital storage is critical to maintaining the integrity of your **Crypto Security**.

By following the official **Secure Setup** steps provided on this **Official Site**, you confirm the authenticity of your device and firmware, protecting against sophisticated supply-chain attacks. The **Hardware Wallet** itself is engineered to require physical verification for every action, turning the digital threat landscape into a physically isolated and verifiable environment. This comprehensive approach ensures your investment in **Digital Assets** remains protected by the best-in-class security available.

The combined power of the **Hardware Wallet** and the **Ledger** ecosystem ensures maximum protection. Every step, from installation to transaction signing, is designed to keep your **Private Keys** safe, guaranteeing that you maintain ownership and control over your entire portfolio of **Digital Assets** for the long term. Trust the **Official Site** at `Ledger.com/Start` to guide you correctly.

The 3-Step **Secure Setup** Guide

1

Download Ledger Live from the **Official Site**

To begin your **Secure Setup**, you must first download the **Ledger Live** application. Visit the only **Official Site** for downloads. This is crucial: only download from the trusted source to ensure you have genuine software. The Ledger Live app will be your desktop interface for managing your **Digital Assets**, allowing you to check balances, send/receive, and install **Cryptocurrency** applications onto your **Hardware Wallet**. Install the application and proceed to launch it.

This step verifies the integrity of your connection to the **Ledger** ecosystem.

2

Create Your **Private Keys** and Recovery Phrase

Connect your **Hardware Wallet** to your computer. Follow the on-screen prompts on the device itself. You will set a PIN code (4-8 digits) and, most importantly, generate your 24-word **Recovery Phrase**. This phrase is your only backup. Write it down carefully—double and triple-check every word. The device will require you to confirm the entire phrase word-by-word. This rigorous process is the cornerstone of your **Crypto Security** and the `Ledger.com/Start` instruction set. Protect this phrase above all else, as it represents your **Private Keys**.

**NEVER** digitize or photograph your **Recovery Phrase**.

3

Connect and Install **Digital Assets** Apps

Once the **Hardware Wallet** is initialized, use the **Ledger Live** application to connect and authenticate your device. The app will guide you through an optional, but highly recommended, authenticity check to confirm your **Ledger** is genuine. Next, use the Manager section within Ledger Live to install the specific **Cryptocurrency** apps you need (e.g., Bitcoin, Ethereum). This completes your **Secure Setup**. You are now ready to send **Digital Assets** to your new secure addresses and enjoy world-class **Crypto Security**.

Your **Hardware Wallet** is now fully operational for managing your **Digital Assets**.

Understanding Your **Private Keys**

In the world of **Cryptocurrency**, your **Private Keys** are not a password; they are the mathematical secret that proves ownership of your funds on the blockchain. The brilliance of the **Ledger Hardware Wallet** is that these **Private Keys** are generated and kept within a certified, secure chip (Secure Element), completely isolated from your desktop environment. This means that when you use **Ledger Live** for transactions, the key never leaves the device. The transaction data is sent to the **Hardware Wallet**, signed securely inside the chip, and the signed transaction is sent back to Ledger Live for broadcast.

This process prevents software-based theft, making the **Secure Setup** with your **Ledger** device the ultimate standard in **Crypto Security**. The **Official Site** emphasizes this isolation because it is the single most important defense against digital threats. Whether you manage Bitcoin, Ethereum, or a complex portfolio of ERC-20 **Digital Assets**, the principle remains the same: the keys stay offline and secure. This separation of concerns is what guarantees your peace of mind and the long-term safety of your investments. Do not skip or rush any step outlined on `Ledger.com/Start`.

Furthermore, the **Ledger Live** desktop application handles all firmware updates for your **Hardware Wallet**. It performs cryptographic checks to ensure the firmware is legitimate and correctly installed, preventing malicious updates. This continuous, integrated security loop between the **Official Site** software and the **Hardware Wallet** device is what makes **Ledger** the leading **Security Platform** for managing all forms of **Digital Assets** safely and effectively. Complete your **Secure Setup** now and join the millions who trust Ledger.

FAQs: **Getting started** & **Secure Setup**

What are **Private Keys** and why does my **Hardware Wallet** protect them?
**Private Keys** are the secret numerical codes that give you control over your **Cryptocurrency** on the blockchain. If someone obtains your **Private Keys**, they own your **Digital Assets**. Your **Hardware Wallet** is specifically designed to store these keys in a secured, disconnected chip, ensuring they never touch the internet or your vulnerable computer. This physical isolation is the core feature of the **Secure Setup** process.
I found an alternate download link for Ledger Live. Should I use it?
Absolutely not. You must only download the **Ledger Live** software from this **Official Site** or via the direct links provided at `Ledger.com/Start`. Using unofficial sources is a major **Crypto Security** risk and could lead to installing malware designed to steal your **Digital Assets**. Always stick to the **Official Site** for all software and guides.
Is it normal for the device to ask me to verify my **Recovery Phrase**?
Yes, and it is a critical part of the **Secure Setup**. The device will ask you to re-enter a sequence of words from your 24-word phrase immediately after generating it. This is a mandatory check to ensure that you have correctly written down the phrase. Without this accurate record, your **Digital Assets** could be permanently lost if the **Hardware Wallet** is destroyed. Never skip this verification step.
What is the difference between my PIN and my **Recovery Phrase**?
Your PIN is a short code (4-8 digits) used to unlock your **Hardware Wallet** for day-to-day access and to prevent unauthorized use if the device is physically stolen. Your **Recovery Phrase** (24 words) is the ultimate master key—it represents your underlying **Private Keys**. The phrase is used only for restoring access to your **Digital Assets** on a new device. Both are essential for **Crypto Security**.
How long does the initial **Secure Setup** take?
The full **Getting started** process, including downloading **Ledger Live**, setting your PIN, and securely recording your **Recovery Phrase**, typically takes about 15 to 30 minutes. We encourage users to take their time and ensure they are relaxed and undistracted, especially during the 24-word phrase recording phase. Rushing this key part of the **Secure Setup** can compromise your **Crypto Security**.

Ready to Secure Your Future?

If you have followed the steps on this **Official Site** and successfully completed your **Secure Setup**, you are now protected. Welcome to the safest way to manage your **Digital Assets**.

Open Ledger Live & Manage **Digital Assets**