Ledger.com/start – Official Site | Ledger

Your Complete 2025 Guide to Setting Up a Ledger Hardware Wallet

When it comes to securing cryptocurrency, most people eventually reach the same conclusion: security matters more than anything else. The digital world moves fast, scams evolve daily, and one small mistake can mean losing assets permanently. That’s why countless crypto investors—beginners and experts alike—turn to Ledger hardware wallets.

If you’re preparing to set up your device, the best place to start is the official Ledger onboarding portal, located at:
https://ledger.com/start

This guide will walk you through what to expect on the site, how to set up your device safely, and the key things every cryptocurrency holder should know about self-custody in 2025.

To make this blog easy to navigate, here’s how we’ll break things down:

What is Ledger and why does it matter?
Why the official website matters
Step-by-step setup via Ledger.com/start
How to avoid scams
Ledger Live walkthrough
Common mistakes beginners make
Tips for long-term crypto security
Final thoughts

Along the way, you’ll also find the official link repeated 10 times, each color-styled so your readers can easily recognize it.

1. What Is Ledger and Why Is It Important?

Ledger is one of the most trusted names in Web3 cybersecurity. Their hardware wallets—such as the Ledger Nano S Plus and Ledger Nano X—store your private keys offline, meaning hackers can’t simply breach your computer or browser and steal your crypto.

In the crypto world, this is known as cold storage, and it’s widely considered the gold standard of self-custody.

When you visit the official setup portal at:
https://ledger.com/start


you gain access to verified instructions, downloadable software, and official security guidance.

Nothing is more important than making sure you only interact with the legitimate website. There are many phishing attempts that mimic Ledger’s interface, so bookmarking the real link is a smart move.

2. Why the Official Ledger Website Matters

Setting up a hardware wallet isn’t complicated, but it does involve sensitive steps—downloading firmware, installing Ledger Live, and generating your recovery phrase. Because of the nature of crypto, even small deviations can be dangerous.

This is why Ledger emphasizes using the official onboarding site:

https://ledger.com/start

Unofficial sites may attempt to:

Steal your mnemonic seed phrase
Distribute modified firmware
Trick you into connecting your wallet
Install fake versions of Ledger Live

When you stick to the official link, you avoid that risk entirely.

3. Step-by-Step Setup Through Ledger.com/start

When you go to the verified portal:

https://ledger.com/start

you’ll be guided through a secure onboarding process. Here’s what the basic flow looks like:

Step 1: Choose Your Device

You’ll select your device model to begin the correct guided setup. Ledger supports:

Ledger Nano S Plus
Ledger Nano X
Ledger Stax

Step 2: Unbox and Inspect

Make sure your box is sealed and hasn’t been tampered with. Ledger devices never come with a pre-written recovery sheet. If you see anything handwritten, stop immediately.

Step 3: Power On and Initialize

During initialization, you’ll choose:

A PIN code
A 24-word recovery phrase generated by the device

Only write this phrase on paper. Never store it online.

Step 4: Install Ledger Live

From the official site:

https://ledger.com/start

you will download Ledger Live for Windows, macOS, or Linux. This software acts as the command center for your portfolio—similar to a dashboard for sending, receiving, and managing crypto.

Step 5: Add Accounts

Inside Ledger Live, you add accounts for the blockchains you want to use—Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, and many more.

Step 6: Transfer Assets

Once everything is set up, you can move your crypto from exchanges or other wallets into your hardware wallet for secure storage.

4. How to Avoid Scams During Setup

The crypto world unfortunately attracts scammers, and beginners are the easiest targets. The most important rule is this:

Ledger will never ask for your recovery phrase. Ever.

When in doubt, return to the official site:
https://ledger.com/start

Here are a few ways to protect yourself:

Don’t trust private messages, pop-ups, or ads.
Don’t download Ledger Live from app stores—only from the official site.
Don’t type your recovery phrase online, no matter what.
Don’t plug your device into public computers.

Following these rules puts you ahead of most crypto users in terms of safety.

5. A Quick Walkthrough of Ledger Live

Once you download Ledger Live from:
https://ledger.com/start

you’ll be guided through device verification. After that, the app opens up several powerful features:

Portfolio Overview

You can see all your assets in one place, including NFTs on supported blockchains.

Buy, Swap, and Sell

Ledger partners with well-known providers to allow in-app buying and swapping, keeping everything within a secure environment.

Staking

You can stake assets like Ethereum, Solana, and Polkadot directly inside Ledger Live.

App Manager

This lets you install or remove blockchain apps on your hardware device for better performance.

6. Common Beginner Mistakes (And How to Avoid Them)

Here are the big pitfalls I watch first-time users fall into:

Mistake #1 — Not Saving the Recovery Phrase Properly

Some users try to store their 24 words in the cloud or on a phone. This is risky because those systems can be hacked.

Mistake #2 — Using Third-Party Sites

People sometimes search "Ledger setup" on Google and accidentally click an ad from a scammer. Instead, always type the URL manually:

https://ledger.com/start

Mistake #3 — Leaving Funds on Exchanges

Many exchanges have failed over the years. Self-custody removes counter-party risk.

Mistake #4 — Ignoring Firmware Updates

Firmware updates patch vulnerabilities. Ledger Live guides you through this safely.

7. Long-Term Security Tips for Ledger Users

Crypto security isn’t a one-time action—it's a long-term habit. Here are some best practices:

Keep your recovery phrase in multiple secure physical locations.
Don’t let anyone see you entering your PIN.
Use a dedicated computer for crypto if you hold large amounts.
Regularly update Ledger Live and your device firmware.
Never disclose how much crypto you own.

For all updates, instructions, and firmware releases, stick to the official onboarding site:

8. Final Thoughts

In 2025, managing cryptocurrency responsibly means taking custody of your own assets, and Ledger hardware wallets make that process safer and easier than ever.