Your friendly guide to setting up, onboarding, and securing your crypto assets
This "Getting Started" page is designed for users new to crypto hardware wallets, or those switching platforms, who wish to begin with Ledger’s flow. It covers everything from initial preparation, installation, usage workflows, security best practices, and integration tips.
Along the way, we reference related tools and platforms such as Trezor.io/start, Trezor Login, Trezor Suite, Trezor Io Start, Trezor Bridge, and the concept of the Trezor Hardware Wallet, so you can see parallels or differences with Ledger.
A hardware wallet is a physical device that stores your private cryptographic keys offline, making them immune to many software-based attacks. Only signed transactions are sent to the blockchain; your private key never leaves the device. Ledger devices follow this paradigm, just like Trezor devices (e.g. via the Trezor Hardware Wallet).
Because the private seed and keys never touch your computer or mobile device directly, the risk of malware or phishing compromising your funds is greatly reduced.
Before you plug in any device or download anything, take time to prepare:
Navigate to ledger.com/start in your browser. This is the official beginning point for Ledger’s onboarding flow. Bookmark the URL, and confirm its SSL (https) padlock to avoid spoofed sites.
Many users coming from Trezor or referencing Trezor flows might recall analogous entry points like Trezor.io/start or Trezor Io Start, which serve the same purpose for Trezor devices. But here, we continue on the Ledger path.
On the start page, choose to download Ledger Live (desktop or mobile) for your platform (Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS). Ledger Live is the companion app that handles firmware updates, portfolio display, and app installation on the device.
Install it following the usual flow: run the installer, accept permissions, and let it initialize. After installation, Ledger Live may prompt to connect your device and begin setup.
Use the supplied USB cable (or USB-C for newer models) to plug your Ledger hardware wallet into your computer or mobile (via OTG). Ledger Live should detect the connected device and begin interacting.
If it does not appear, ensure your cable is data enabled (not a charge-only cable) and avoid going through USB hubs or adapters if possible.
In Ledger Live, you’ll be asked whether this is a new device or whether you want to recover an existing wallet. If new, you opt to set up a new wallet; if recovering, you enter your recovery phrase (never enter it on a computer except via the device UI).
The device will generate a recovery phrase (usually 24 words for Ledger) which you must write down in order, offline, on the provided recovery sheet. Confirm the words on device when prompted.
You will be prompted to set a PIN of 4 to 8 digits (varies by model). This PIN is required every time you unlock the device. Choose a PIN that you can remember but is not easily guessable (avoid simple sequences).
After a few failed attempts, Ledger devices typically enforce a delay or block access temporarily, protecting against brute force attacks.
In Ledger Live, go to the “Manager” tab and install the coin apps (e.g. Bitcoin, Ethereum, etc.) onto the hardware wallet. Each app uses a portion of the device’s secure memory. You do not enter private keys — apps enable communication.
This is conceptually similar to how Trezor Suite handles coin selection and support when using Trezor Suite or when using the Trezor Bridge infrastructure in Trezor’s ecosystem.
Send a small “test amount” of crypto from another wallet to your Ledger address to verify that the receiving and signing functions operate correctly. Confirm the address shown on the device screen matches what’s on Ledger Live (to guard against display spoofing).
Under no circumstances should you share your recovery seed with anyone. No support agent, website, or application will ever legitimately ask for it. Treat it as the master key to your funds.
When interacting with your wallet (sending funds, signing messages), always verify the transaction details on the hardware wallet screen itself. Do not trust your computer or phone screen alone — they could be compromised by malware.
Regular updates patch vulnerabilities and enhance support. Only approve firmware updates shown on both Ledger Live and the device. If a fingerprint or signature is displayed, compare them carefully.
Use a PIN not easily guessed. Avoid birthday, repeated digits, or sequential numbers. Store your recovery phrase in multiple secure physical locations (like a safe or bank deposit box). Consider using fire- and water-resistant backup media.
Always access your start page via bookmark or type the URL manually (e.g. “ledger.com/start”). Never click unsolicited links. Attackers may replicate interfaces to trick you into entering your recovery phrase.
For services and accounts associated with your crypto (exchanges, apps), enable two-factor authentication (2FA) or hardware security keys. This adds layers beyond your Ledger device alone.
If you're transitioning from a Trezor ecosystem, you might recall flows such as Trezor.io/start or using Trezor Login or Trezor Suite. These tools operate similarly to Ledger’s onboarding and management environment. Trezor also uses a component known as Trezor Bridge to communicate between browser and device.
The concept of the Trezor Hardware Wallet is analogous to Ledger’s hardware — both aim to keep private keys offline and provide secure signing. While some UI flows differ, the core security paradigm is shared.
Ledger devices are supported by many third‑party wallets, DeFi applications, and browser extensions. In many of them, the hardware wallet acts as a signer: your private key stays on device and only signed transactions are sent out.
With Ledger Live on desktop or mobile, you can manage your assets across multiple devices. Use the same recovery phrase on a different Ledger device if needed (for example, in case of device loss), similar to Trezor's recovery capabilities.
Ledger supports a wide variety of blockchains and token standards (ERC‑20, BEP‑20, etc). You can add coins via the “Manager” in Ledger Live. The device doesn’t force you to enable all, only those you require.
If you ever lose or break your Ledger, you can restore your accounts on another Ledger device or compatible BIP39 tool, if the recovery seed is valid. Always be cautious using third‑party tools.
Yes — Ledger and Trezor operate as separate hardware wallets. You can manage funds on both in parallel. Their software ecosystems differ (Ledger Live vs Trezor Suite / Bridge), but the security concept is consistent: private keys never leave the hardware device.
Trezor Bridge is a component in the Trezor ecosystem that lets browser-based wallets communicate securely with Trezor devices. We mention it here to compare architectures. Ledger does not require a separate “bridge” component, but the concept is similar in enabling safe communication between web apps and hardware wallets.
No — those are specific to the Trezor ecosystem (for example, Trezor Login and Trezor Suite). If you are using Ledger, you use Ledger Live and Ledger’s official tools. However, you might find references or comparisons to those tools when migrating from Trezor.
In theory, yes — if the seed phrase is in a compatible format (e.g. BIP39), you may import it into certain wallets. But mixing ecosystems can introduce compatibility risks. It is safer to migrate funds manually than to restore directly across hardware families.
Both hardware wallets are considered highly secure. The differences lie in design choices, open vs closed source firmware, supported coins, and user experience. Many users reference workflows like Trezor Hardware Wallet designs or Trezor.io/start when evaluating Ledger’s security. Ultimately, handling your recovery phrase, verifying transactions on device, and following best practices matters most.
You can visit the official Ledger support site, community forums, or official documentation. If you want to compare with Trezor support pages (for example, pages related to Trezor Bridge or Trezor Suite), those are publicly available from Trezor.io. Always ensure you are on correct and secure URLs.