Practical, security-first answers to common setup questions for Ledger devices and Ledger Live.
Answer: Ledger.com/Start is the official on-boarding area that guides you through initializing your Ledger hardware device and installing Ledger Live. It provides step-by-step instructions to create a PIN, generate and safely store your recovery phrase, and connect your device to Ledger Live — the desktop and mobile app used to manage crypto. Always confirm you're on the official site to avoid scams.
Answer: Power the device and follow the built-in prompts. Create a PIN directly on the device (never share it). The device will then display a recovery phrase (24 words on most models). Write those words exactly, in order, on the supplied recovery card and store it offline in a secure place — never photograph or store digitally.
Answer: Download Ledger Live from the official Ledger site. Install the app on desktop or mobile, open it, choose "Get started", follow the steps to add your device (Ledger Nano S / X / Plus), and install the specific app (Bitcoin, Ethereum, etc.) inside Ledger Live. Approve any connection prompts on the hardware device itself.
Answer: If you lose the recovery phrase, funds can be permanently inaccessible. The recovery phrase is the only backup. If you still have the device and it's functional, create a new wallet and transfer funds; then record the new phrase securely. If both device and phrase are lost, there is no way to recover the private keys.
Answer: Bookmark the official Ledger domain and never follow links from unsolicited emails, messages, or social media. Ledger will never ask for your recovery phrase. Verify HTTPS, check the domain exactly (ledger.com), and look for typos. When in doubt, type the URL manually.
Answer: Try a different USB cable or port, ensure the device firmware is up to date, and confirm you gave Ledger Live permission to access the device. Reboot the computer or mobile device. If problems persist, visit Ledger's official support pages for specific error codes and guidance.
Answer: Yes — any recovery-compatible hardware wallet or Ledger device can restore funds using your recovery phrase. Always restore only on a trusted device and never enter your phrase into software or websites.