A considered start
to self-custody.

Starting at Ledger.com/start is a way to orient yourself before configuring a hardware wallet. Think of it as a beginning, not a destination: the useful outcome is understanding the steps, locating the manufacturer’s current instructions, and recognizing which decisions are yours to make.

A hardware wallet is one part of a wider security practice. Your device, its software, your recovery information, and the habits you use to verify actions all matter. There is no need to rush into transferring assets. First, make sure you understand what the device can and cannot do, and which official resources apply to your model and location.

Give yourself a quiet, private place and enough time to read each instruction. Use a trusted computer or phone with its operating system up to date. If the device is new, check its packaging and contents for signs of tampering, but do not rely on packaging alone as proof of authenticity. Follow the manufacturer’s current guidance for device checks.

Find the setup instructions by typing the manufacturer’s known web address yourself or using a trusted bookmark. Be cautious with sponsored search results, unsolicited messages, QR codes, and links from strangers: a convincing imitation can look polished. Check the full domain before entering a password, downloading software, or connecting a device.

Follow the instructions for your exact device and the software version you are using. Install companion software only through an official source that you reached independently. Let the device guide you through its own screens, and read what it displays rather than approving prompts automatically.

Use a PIN that is not easy to guess and that you can enter reliably. Keep it separate from your recovery information. If any step appears unexpected, if the device asks for information you do not understand, or if a screen differs from the guide, pause. Do not continue just to get through setup; confirm the step through verified support documentation first.

Look beyond a familiar logo. Inspect the complete web address, check that the connection is secure, and make sure the page is on the domain you intended to visit. A lock icon only indicates an encrypted connection to that site; it does not prove the site itself is genuine.

For downloads, use the official product page or verified application store listing linked from the manufacturer’s own website. Confirm that the application name and publisher match the guidance. If in doubt, close the page and navigate to the address directly rather than following a new link.

When something feels off

• Stop before approving a transaction or installing unexpected software.
• Do not follow remote-support instructions from an unsolicited call or message.
• Reach support through contact details found on the official website, not those in the suspicious message.

For product-specific instructions, consult the official help center by navigating to support.ledger.com yourself. This guide is independent and does not replace the current instructions for your particular product.

Your recovery phrase is a sensitive backup that may restore access to the assets associated with your wallet. Treat it as the keys themselves. Anyone who obtains it may be able to take control, even if they do not have your physical device. It is not a password reset code and there is no safe reason to send it to support.

Write it down only as directed by the device’s verified setup process. Check each word and its order carefully, then store the written record somewhere private, protected from damage, and accessible to you if needed. Avoid photographs, cloud notes, email, messaging apps, printers connected to a network, and any other digital copy. Do not enter the phrase into a computer or phone unless you are deliberately following verified recovery instructions on a device you trust.

Consider your real-world risks before deciding where and how to store a backup. A secure plan should account for both unauthorized access and ordinary events such as loss, fire, or a move. Keep the details private; do not disclose them here or to anyone offering to help.

Take a moment to understand how to review an address and transaction on the device itself. The details displayed on the secure screen should agree with what you intend to do. If they do not, reject the request and investigate through a trusted channel.

Keep the device and its software updated using official instructions, and revisit your recovery plan periodically. Before moving anything valuable, learn how receiving addresses, network selection, fees, and transaction confirmations work for the asset you intend to use. A small test transfer can help you confirm the process, but it is still a real transaction: check the address and network carefully and understand any costs before proceeding.

Security is a routine, not a one-time setup. Slow down when a message creates urgency, and verify unusual requests using a separate, trusted route.