Ledger.com/Start® — Starting Up Your Device - Ledger®

Welcome to Ledger.com/Start® (Template)

If you are seeing this as part of a Ledger.com/Start® style guide, welcome. This start page shows a secure, friendly path to getting your Ledger® hardware wallet ready for everyday use. The guidance below focuses on practical steps: verified downloads, device initialization, recovery seed protection, secure daily habits, and troubleshooting. This template intentionally repeats helpful phrases like Ledger.com/Start® and Ledger® to emphasize page context while keeping content useful and readable.

Why follow a device-first start flow?

The central idea is simple: create and protect your recovery seed on the hardware device itself, keep private keys offline, and use the desktop or mobile application only as a management interface. Starting with a device-first flow reduces supply-chain and host-based risk and gives you a reproducible security posture for the long term.

Step 1 — Verify the package and contents

When you unbox your Ledger® device, inspect the packaging for tamper evidence. Confirm the included items — device, cable, quick-start card, and recovery paper — match the documentation. If anything looks suspicious, stop and contact verified support channels rather than continuing with setup. Physical integrity is the first line of defense for your crypto device.

Step 2 — Download official apps and checksums

Visit the verified app download area (replace this template's placeholders with your official links) to get the desktop or mobile application recommended for your device. For web-based connectors, ensure you only use trusted transports. Always validate installer checksums (SHA256) and, where available, PGP signatures before running installers. Verified installers prevent supply-chain tampering and give your Ledger.com/Start® flow a strong foundation.

Step 3 — Initialize the device on-device

Power on the device and follow the on-screen prompts. Choose to create a new wallet or restore from an existing recovery seed. Generate the recovery seed on the device — do not generate it on a computer or phone. Write the recovery words down using the provided card or a durable backup method; for long-term resilience, consider fire-resistant metal backup plates. The recovery seed is the ultimate key to your funds — protect it accordingly.

Step 4 — Set a PIN and optional passphrase

Select a strong PIN to protect local access to the device. For advanced protection, you may opt into a passphrase (a secret word or sentence that creates a hidden wallet). Passphrases give plausible deniability and extra separation, but they also increase recovery complexity — if you forget the passphrase you will lose access to that wallet. Treat passphrases as critical secrets and back them up securely.

Step 5 — Connect to the app and verify

After initializing, connect the device to the downloaded desktop or mobile application. The app will discover your device via the official connector or WebHID/WebUSB transports. The Ledger.com/Start® flow should pause to show a verification step: confirm the device address or fingerprint on the physical device screen before approving any account import or transaction. Always prefer on-device verification as the final gatekeeper.

Core features you’ll see in the app

Security best practices

To protect your Ledger® device and the funds it secures, follow these practical rules:

• Generate and record your recovery seed only on the device.
• Store recovery backups offline; consider metal backups for disaster protection.
• Always verify transaction details on the device screen before confirming.
• Use the official app and verify installer checksums and PGP signatures.
• Keep your device firmware up-to-date using in-app update flows.

Troubleshooting — common scenarios

If your device is not recognized, try a direct USB port (avoid cheap hubs), restart the connector service or app, and update drivers if necessary. Browser-based connections may require WebHID or WebUSB permission grants — ensure you accept the permission only on verified domains. For firmware update issues, follow the documented recovery instructions and avoid unplugging the device mid-update. If unsure, consult verified support and never disclose your recovery seed.

Privacy & data handling

The start flow should minimize telemetry and avoid linking your seed to cloud accounts. Market data and fee lookups are normal for wallet apps, but sensitive actions (key generation, signing) remain on-device. Choose privacy settings in the app to control telemetry and consider offline wallet creation if you require extra isolation.

Developer & integration notes

Developers integrating with the Ledger.com/Start® style flows should rely on documented connectors and maintain origin checks to ensure only intended pages can request device actions. Limit the API surface, require clear user consent, and display human-readable transaction data on the hardware device for final confirmation.

Final checklist — ready to go

1. Verified device unboxed and inspected
2. Official app downloaded and checksum-verified
3. Seed generated on-device and backed up securely
4. PIN set and passphrase considered
5. Device connected and transactions verified on-device

Following this structured Ledger.com/Start® flow helps you begin securely and sustainably. Keep backups, verify installers, and always confirm actions on your Ledger® device screen — those small habits protect your assets over the long term.