Ledger Start — Detailed Step-by-Step Tutorial

A practical, long-form walkthrough for completing ledger start safely. Follow each step, and review the tips and resources included.

Introduction & Mindset

The goal of ledger start is to establish secure ownership of crypto assets using a hardware device. It’s critical to adopt a security-first mindset: never record recovery data digitally, and always verify official sources.

Prepare Before You Begin

  • Set aside an uninterrupted 20–40 minutes.
  • Have a pen and the included recovery card ready (or metal backup if you prefer).
  • Ensure your computer is clean (official OS updates installed) and network is reliable.

Actual Setup Steps

  1. Download Ledger Live from the official website and install it.
  2. Open Ledger Live, pick “Get started”, and follow prompts for a new device.
  3. When the device shows a recovery phrase during initialization, write it down physically and keep it offline.
  4. Install the apps for the cryptocurrencies you want to manage using the companion manager.

Using Your Ledger After Start

Daily operations: connect device, open account app, confirm transactions on-device. Remember: confirmations happen on the device screen — this is a key security property.

Tip: Use a PIN you can remember but isn’t trivial. Do not reuse common device pins.
Tip: Consider a secondary off-site backup for your recovery information (e.g., a deposit box or trusted person).

Common Questions

Is it safe to recover on another device?

Yes, using compatible recovery tools is possible. Only recover with trusted hardware or software and never expose your recovery phrase digitally.

Does Ledger start require internet?

Device initialization itself does not need internet, but companion software may need downloads and updates.