Ledger.com/Start® — Beginner’s Guide to Setting Up Your Ledger Wallet (2026)

kamm

— 2 min read

If you’re new to cryptocurrency, a Ledger hardware wallet is one of the safest ways to store your crypto. Ledger wallets, like the Ledger Nano S Plus and Ledger Nano X, keep your private keys offline so hackers cannot steal your coins. This guide walks beginners through Ledger.com/Start®, showing every step from unboxing your wallet to sending your first crypto safely in 2026.

1. What You Need Before You Begin

Before starting, make sure you have:

  • A Ledger hardware wallet (Nano S Plus or Nano X)
  • A computer or smartphone
  • The USB cable included in the box
  • A pen and the recovery sheet for your 24-word recovery phrase
Do not use any links from emails or social media—always go to Ledger.com/Start® directly.

2. Unboxing Your Ledger Device

When you open the box, you should see:

  • Ledger device (Nano S Plus or Nano X)
  • USB cable
  • Recovery sheet for your 24-word phrase
  • Instruction manual

Tip: Make sure the packaging is sealed and official. Don’t use second-hand devices.

3. Go to Ledger.com/Start®

  1. Open a browser on your computer or phone.
  2. Go to Ledger.com/Start
  3. Select your Ledger device (Nano S Plus or Nano X).
  4. Download Ledger Live, the official app for managing your crypto.
Ledger Live is the official app to manage your crypto safely.

4. Connect Your Ledger Device

  • Plug your Ledger device into your computer using the USB cable.
  • Nano X users can also connect via Bluetooth to a smartphone.
  • The device will power on and display a welcome message.

Tip: Only connect your Ledger to devices you trust.

5. Set Up Your Ledger Wallet

You have two options:

  1. Set up as new device – For creating a brand new wallet.
  2. Restore wallet – For recovering an old wallet using your 24-word recovery phrase.

Step 1: Choose a PIN

  • Use the buttons on your Ledger device to set a 4-8 digit PIN.
  • Confirm it on the device.

Step 2: Write Down Your Recovery Phrase

  • Ledger shows a 24-word recovery phrase on the device.
  • Write it down exactly on the recovery sheet provided.
  • Keep it offline and safe—never store it on your computer, phone, or cloud.
The recovery phrase is the only way to recover your crypto if your device is lost or stolen.

6. Install Ledger Live

Ledger Live is your dashboard for managing crypto.

Steps:

  1. Open the Ledger Live installer you downloaded.
  2. Follow instructions to install it on your computer or mobile.
  3. Open Ledger Live and click Get Started.
  4. Connect your Ledger device and follow prompts to add accounts.

What you can do with Ledger Live:

  • Add cryptocurrency accounts (BTC, ETH, etc.)
  • Send and receive crypto securely
  • Check balances and transactions
  • Update your Ledger device firmware

7. Add Crypto Accounts

  1. In Ledger Live, go to Accounts → Add Account.
  2. Choose the cryptocurrency you want to manage.
  3. Confirm on your Ledger device.
You can add multiple accounts to manage different cryptocurrencies.

8. Send and Receive Crypto

To Receive Crypto:

  • Click Receive in Ledger Live.
  • Select the account.
  • Confirm the address on your Ledger device before sharing it.

To Send Crypto:

  • Click Send in Ledger Live.
  • Enter the recipient address and amount.
  • Confirm the transaction on your Ledger device.
Always check the address on your device screen—malware can change addresses on your computer.

9. Keep Your Ledger Secure

  • Only use Ledger.com/Start® for downloads and instructions.
  • Never share your PIN or recovery phrase.
  • Keep the recovery phrase offline in a secure place.
  • Update Ledger Live and device firmware regularly.
  • Only connect Ledger to trusted computers or phones.

10. Summary for Beginners

Setting up a Ledger wallet in 2026 is easy if you follow the official steps:

  1. Unbox your Ledger device.
  2. Go to Ledger.com/Start®.
  3. Connect your device and choose setup options.
  4. Set your PIN and write down your recovery phrase.
  5. Install Ledger Live to manage your crypto.
  6. Add accounts and send/receive crypto safely.
Ledger hardware wallets give you full control of your crypto while keeping it secure. Follow these steps and your digital assets will be safe.

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