Official Hardware Setup & Security Manual
Initialize your hardware wallet safely. Step-by-step instructions to configure your secure PIN, safeguard your 24-word recovery phrase, authenticate device integrity, and establish cold storage protection.
Notice: This portal is an independent, non-affiliated educational guide for crypto security and wallet onboarding. Never enter your 24 words into any app or website.
CC EAL6+
Secure Element Grade
24 Words
Offline Cold Seed
100%
Private Key Isolation
Device Setup Protocol
Genuine Check Ready

1. Connect device to official desktop or mobile companion
2. Configure personal 4 to 8 digit device PIN
3. Record and verify offline 24-word recovery sheet
OFFICIAL HARDWARE ONBOARDING OVERVIEW
Everything you need to configure, verify, and operate your Ledger Nano X, Nano S Plus, or Stax device with total peace of mind.
Navigating to ledger.com/start marks the essential first checkpoint for any owner of a Ledger hardware wallet. When stepping into the world of self-custody, maintaining absolute ownership over your private keys is the gold standard of defense against digital theft, exchange insolvencies, and malicious smart contracts. The dedicated starting portal is deliberately designed to provide authentic software downloads and guide users through critical initial configurations without exposure to fraudulent third-party intermediaries.
By opening your browser and visiting ledger.com/start directly, you bypass deceptive search engine advertisements, clone websites, and malicious mobile applications intended to harvest confidential credentials. From this singular verified entry hub, you are prompted to download Ledger Live—the sovereign mission-control companion application that pairs with your secure element chip—allowing you to independently inspect balances, send transactions, and manage diversified decentralized assets.
STEP 01
Obtain the legitimate installer directly from ledger.com/start for your macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, or Android operating system. During initial pairing, Ledger Live performs a cryptographic Genuine Check to ensure internal firmware and physical components remain authentic and untampered since leaving the factory.
STEP 02
Connect the physical device using the provided USB-C cable. Follow on-screen navigation to initialize a new cryptographic identity. Choose an unpredictable 4 to 8 digit Personal Identification Number (PIN) to prevent unauthorized local physical access. Multiple incorrect entries trigger automatic device resets.
STEP 03
Your device screen displays 24 sequential BIP-39 recovery words generated offline within the EAL6+ Certified Secure Element chip. Accurately handwrite them on your provided recovery sheet. This represents your ultimate cold backup; never type, photograph, or store these words on any internet-connected device.
While completing setup via ledger.com/start, absolute vigilance remains your strongest shield. Official Ledger applications will never request your 24-word recovery phrase within desktop dialogues, browser popups, emails, or smartphone keypads. That secret recovery phrase exists strictly to be verified on the small hardware screen itself. Any website, technical support agent, or download claiming otherwise is an impersonation attempt targeting your assets.
Once the setup process is concluded, you can safely explore multi-currency management across Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, and thousands of additional tokens. You can securely stake Proof-of-Stake assets to earn network rewards, connect with verified Web3 dApps through the Ledger Discover section, and execute clear-signing operations knowing private keys never exit the encrypted boundaries of your hardware architecture. Bookmark ledger.com/start today to guarantee every future update begins with uncompromised integrity.
Always ensure the browser URL reads exact domain https://www.ledger.com before downloading software or connecting devices.