Your first steps shape your security
A hardware wallet is designed to keep private keys away from an internet-connected device. But self-custody is not a magic shield: your security also depends on where you get software, how you handle your recovery phrase, and whether you check what you approve. That is why Ledger.com/start is a useful place to begin. Ledger’s setup page points users toward Ledger Wallet and device onboarding; always confirm you are on the genuine ledger.com/start domain before proceeding.
Think of setup as establishing a trusted routine, not racing through a checklist. Give yourself a quiet moment, use a device you control, and follow the instructions shown by the official app and your hardware wallet. If anything asks you to disclose secret words outside the device’s intended recovery process, pause. A legitimate support representative should never need your recovery phrase.
Before you begin: make the source part of the setup
Start by typing the address yourself or using a bookmark you created after verifying it. Avoid sponsored search results, unsolicited messages, QR codes from strangers, and links in social posts. Fake wallet apps and lookalike pages can be convincing. Check the spelling of the domain and use Ledger’s official site to reach the setup instructions and application downloads. Don’t install software simply because a pop-up or caller tells you to.
Unpack the device and follow the in-app steps for your specific model. The device should generate its own new recovery phrase during initialization; do not use a pre-filled phrase or one supplied by another person. Choose a PIN that is difficult for others to guess and that you can enter without writing it beside the device. Setup screens and options can change over time, so rely on the current official instructions rather than an old video or guide.