The Definitive Guide: Your Digital Asset Journey on Ledger.com/Start

Step 1: Preparation and Software Acquisition

1. Unbox and Connect: Carefully open your Ledger package. Inside, you will find your hardware device, a USB cable, and several blank recovery sheets. Connect your device to your computer using the cable provided.
2. Navigate to the Official Starting Hub: Open your web browser and visit the dedicated onboarding page: **Ledger.com/Start**. This official hub is your safest resource for the next steps.
3. Download and Install the Essential App: The core of your device management is the Ledger Live application. On the official starting page, select your device model and operating system (desktop or mobile) to download the genuine Ledger Live software. Always use the official source to prevent counterfeit software risks.
4. Launch the Application: Once the download is complete, install the application and launch it. You will be greeted with an introductory screen prompting you to begin your device setup.

Step 2: Initializing Your Hardware Device

This is the most critical phase. You will generate your unique security parameters directly on the device's secure chip. The private keys, and the corresponding recovery phrase, are *never* exposed to your computer or the internet.

2.1 Choose Your Device Access Code

1. Select "Set up as new device": Use the buttons on your hardware wallet to scroll through the welcome messages until you see the option to **"Set up as new device"**. Press both buttons simultaneously to select.
2. Establish a Strong Access Code: You will be prompted to choose a 4-to-8 digit personal identification code (PIN). Use the buttons to select and confirm each digit. An 8-digit code offers optimal protection. This code is what you will enter on the device every time you use it.
3. Confirm the Access Code: Re-enter your chosen code to confirm.

2.2 The 24-Word Recovery Phrase

Your 24-word recovery phrase is the master backup to all your digital assets. It is the key that can restore your private keys to a new Ledger device if your current one is lost or damaged. Treat it like a physical bearer bond.

1. Prepare the Sheets: Take the blank recovery sheets provided in your Ledger box.
2. Write Down Each Word: Your device will display one word at a time, from word 1 to word 24. Write each word down *precisely* in the correct numerical order on your recovery sheet. Double-check the spelling and order of every single word before moving on.
3. Validate the Phrase: The device will ask you to confirm several words from your phrase (e.g., "Confirm word #12"). This mandatory verification ensures you have recorded the phrase correctly.
4. Final Confirmation: Once verification is complete, your device will confirm that it is "ready."

Step 3: Connecting Your Device to the Ledger Live Application

With your device initialized and your recovery phrase secured, the next step is to connect it to the management application and perform a crucial genuine check.

1. Continue in Ledger Live: Back in the Ledger Live application, click through the steps to the "Check my device" screen.
2. Connect and Unlock: Connect your hardware device to your computer and enter your chosen PIN code on the device itself.
3. Allow Manager: On your device screen, you will be asked to **"Allow Manager"**. Press both physical buttons simultaneously to confirm this access.
4. The Genuine Check: Ledger Live will communicate with your device to perform a cryptographic verification. This process confirms that your hardware wallet is a genuine Ledger product and has not been tampered with. A successful check provides the assurance that you can proceed safely.

Once the genuine check passes, you are officially ready to use your hardware wallet!

Step 4: Installing Asset Applications and Creating Accounts

Your Ledger device stores your private keys, but it needs specific applications installed to interact with different blockchain networks (e.g., Bitcoin, Ethereum, Polygon, etc.).

4.1 Using the Manager Feature

• In Ledger Live, navigate to the **"Manager"** tab.
• Your connected and unlocked device will display its available storage capacity.
• Search for the digital asset applications you wish to manage (e.g., Bitcoin, Ethereum, Cardano).
• Click **"Install"** next to each asset. The Ledger Live application will install the cryptographic app directly onto your device.

4.2 Setting Up Your Accounts

• Navigate to the **"Accounts"** section in Ledger Live.
• Click the **"Add Account"** button.
• Select the asset application you just installed (e.g., "Bitcoin").
• Ledger Live will prompt you to open the corresponding app on your physical device. Follow the on-screen instructions.
• Once synchronized, Ledger Live will display your new receiving address. You can now label this new account (e.g., "BTC Savings").

Your Secure Future Starts Now

You have successfully completed the setup of your Ledger hardware wallet. You now hold the keys to a new era of personal digital asset sovereignty. The combination of your physical device—which keeps your private keys isolated from the internet—and the secure management application, Ledger Live, provides a robust defense against common digital threats.

Remember that the ongoing security of your funds rests entirely on the protection of your 24-word recovery phrase and the secrecy of your device's access code. Never compromise these two elements.

For further tutorials on sending, receiving, and exploring the diverse ecosystem of supported digital assets, always refer back to the official resources found at **Ledger.com**.