Ledger Wallet Quick Start — Ledger.com/start Step-by-Step
Fast, secure, and official — the Ledger Wallet Quick Start distills the essential steps from Ledger.com/start so you can initialize your Ledger Nano S or Nano X, create and protect your recovery seed, set a PIN, install Ledger Live, and start managing crypto with confidence. This Ledger Wallet Quick Start guide is optimized for clarity and safety: follow the quick start steps and return to Ledger.com/start for full documentation and advanced workflows.
Start your Ledger Wallet Quick Start by unboxing and verifying the device. Ledger.com/start recommends checking the tamper-evident seal and confirming you bought the device from an authorized seller. If packaging looks tampered with, stop and contact support. When you are ready, connect your Ledger Nano S with the USB cable or pair your Ledger Nano X with Bluetooth and open Ledger Live — always download Ledger Live from Ledger.com/start to ensure you have the official app.
Initialize your device following the Ledger Wallet Quick Start prompts in Ledger Live. Choose "Initialize as a new device," and the hardware will generate a 24-word recovery seed. This recovery seed is the only way to restore access to your crypto assets. Write it down on the provided recovery sheet or a certified metal backup — never photograph, email, or store the seed digitally. Ledger Wallet Quick Start stresses offline seed storage: keep copies in secure physical locations (safe, deposit box) and never share them with anyone.
After recording your recovery seed, set a secure PIN on the device. The PIN prevents local misuse if the device is lost or stolen. Ledger Wallet Quick Start also covers optional passphrase usage: a passphrase creates hidden wallets and adds privacy but is not recoverable by Ledger support if lost. Use passphrases only if you fully understand the trade-offs and can securely manage them.
With initialization complete, use Ledger Live to install the apps for the cryptocurrencies you want to manage (Bitcoin, Ethereum, etc.). Ledger Wallet Quick Start reminds you to confirm every transaction on the device screen — the host computer creates the transaction, but the device displays human-readable details so you can verify addresses and amounts before signing. This on-device confirmation is the core security model and prevents malware on the host from altering transactions unnoticed.
Keep your Ledger device firmware up to date via Ledger Live. Firmware updates deliver security patches and new coin support. Ledger Wallet Quick Start recommends applying updates only when prompted by Ledger Live and always following official prompts from Ledger.com/start. For troubleshooting, try a different USB cable, switch ports, update or reinstall Ledger Live, or check mobile Bluetooth settings for Nano X pairing issues.
Advanced users can explore multi-account setups, enterprise-grade custody options, or air-gapped signing workflows — Ledger.com/start contains detailed guides. If you ever need to restore, follow the "Restore from recovery phrase" flow in Ledger Live and enter your 24-word seed carefully. Practicing a test restore on a spare device is a good habit recommended by Ledger Wallet Quick Start to ensure your backups are correct and complete.
The Ledger Wallet Quick Start is designed to be brief but security-first: verify authenticity, record your recovery seed offline, set a PIN, install Ledger Live from Ledger.com/start, confirm transactions on-device, and keep firmware current. Follow these steps to start using your Ledger wallet quickly and securely — then explore Ledger.com/start for deeper, advanced guidance as your needs evolve.