Welcome to **Ledger.com/Start®**: **Starting Up Your Device®**
The Official and Secure Guide for Your **Ledger Nano Setup** and **Device Initialization**.
You are moments away from achieving true **self-custody**. This page, **Ledger.com/Start®**, is your dedicated entry point to securely initiating your **Ledger Nano Setup** (Nano S Plus or Nano X). Follow our comprehensive, step-by-step instructions for **Starting Up Your Device®**, ensuring you correctly install **Ledger Live**, create your **PIN Code**, and, most critically, safeguard your **24-word Recovery Phrase**. Security is paramount, and every step here is designed to isolate your private keys within the certified **Secure Element** chip, preventing exposure to digital threats. Do not proceed until you have carefully read and understood all the stages of the **Device Initialization** process described below.
Jump to Device InitializationPhase 1: **Ledger Live Installation** - The Gateway App
Official Download and Verification Process
Before **Starting Up Your Device®**, you must install the **Ledger Live** application. This software is mandatory for conducting the official **Ledger Nano Setup** and completing the **Device Initialization**. **Ledger Live** acts as the secure interface between your computer and the **Secure Element** on your Ledger device. Crucially, the Ledger Live application facilitates the genuine check of your device, ensuring it is a legitimate product and that its firmware is authentic and uncompromised. Always download the software directly from the link provided on the official **Ledger.com/Start®** page or the official Ledger website. Avoid search engine links, third-party mirrors, or app stores that are not explicitly linked by Ledger.
- **Compatibility:** Ensure you download the correct version for your operating system (Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, or iOS).
- **Integrity Check:** Upon opening, Ledger Live will automatically begin the authentication process to confirm the integrity of your **Ledger Nano Setup**.
- **Initial Connection:** Connect your Ledger Nano to your computer using the supplied USB cable. The application will detect the device and transition automatically into the **Starting Up Your Device®** guide interface.
The secure connection established by **Ledger Live** is vital. It is the only approved method for performing the **firmware update** and managing applications on your Ledger Nano. Do not attempt to use older or unverified software, as this may jeopardize your future ability to manage your crypto assets. The integrity of your initial **Device Initialization** rests on using the official, verified **Ledger Live Installation**.
Preparation Checklist
- ✅ Unbox the Ledger device and contents (cables, recovery sheets).
- ✅ Ensure your computer has a stable, private internet connection.
- ✅ Charge your Ledger Nano X (if applicable) before beginning the **Ledger Nano Setup**.
- ✅ Set aside 20-30 minutes of uninterrupted time for **Device Initialization**.
The Power of the **Secure Element**
The chip inside your Ledger Nano is CC EAL5+ certified. It is designed to be tamper-resistant, physically isolating your private keys from the digital world, even when connected to a compromised computer. This isolation is the core of effective **self-custody**.
The security architecture leveraged during the **Starting Up Your Device** process is globally recognized. It ensures that the vital information, specifically the **24-word Recovery Phrase**, remains decentralized and outside the reach of digital malicious entities. This dedication to hardware-based trust is why millions rely on Ledger for their **cryptocurrency management**. The process is designed to be straightforward yet unbreakable, combining the ease of use of the **Ledger Live Installation** with the cryptographic strength of the **Secure Element**. By following the official **Ledger.com/Start** sequence, you guarantee the maximal security posture for your new hardware wallet, making the subsequent steps of setting the **PIN Code** and verifying the recovery phrase foolproof. The goal of the Ledger Nano Setup is always to maintain true self-custody.
Phase 2: **Device Initialization** - Setting Your **PIN Code**
Power On and Welcome Screen
Once connected via USB and detected by **Ledger Live**, your **Ledger Nano Setup** officially begins. Use the physical buttons on the device to navigate the welcome screens. The buttons are your primary input method for the entire **Device Initialization** process. The device screen will instruct you to either "Set up as a new device" or "Restore from a Recovery Phrase." For first-time users following **Ledger.com/Start®**, you must select "Set up as a new device." This triggers the generation of a brand-new, unique cryptographic seed by the **Secure Element**.
Creating Your **PIN Code**
The next crucial step in **Starting Up Your Device®** is setting a **PIN Code**. The PIN is the local, physical lock for your device. It should be between 4 and 8 digits long. **IMPORTANT:** You must set this **PIN Code** directly on the **Ledger Nano** screen using the buttons—never on your computer keyboard. You will select and confirm your PIN twice. A strong PIN is essential because it prevents unauthorized access to your device if it is ever lost or stolen. The PIN is stored internally within the **Secure Element** chip, not on your computer.
Understanding the PIN Lock
If you enter the wrong **PIN Code** three consecutive times, the **Ledger Nano Setup** automatically wipes the device, erasing its internal data. This is a vital security feature. If this happens, your funds are NOT lost, but you will need your **24-word Recovery Phrase** to restore access on a newly initialized device. This mechanism demonstrates the separation of your physical access (PIN) and your cryptographic access (Recovery Phrase). Successfully creating and confirming your **PIN Code** moves you to the most important phase of **Device Initialization**: recording the phrase.
Detailed Importance of the **PIN Code** in **Ledger Nano Setup**
The creation of the **PIN Code** is often underestimated, but it forms the essential first layer of security when **Starting Up Your Device®**. While the **24-word Recovery Phrase** protects your funds from a digital attack, the **PIN Code** protects your physical device from a rogue user. The PIN must be entered every time you want to connect your Ledger Nano to **Ledger Live** or execute any **secure transaction**. Because the entry is done solely on the device itself, the integrity of your PIN input is protected even if your PC is infected with screen capture software or keyloggers. This is a tangible benefit of the hardware wallet architecture built around the **Secure Element**. The combination of the locally set **PIN Code** and the cryptographically sealed **24-word Recovery Phrase** provides the highest standard of **self-custody** available today. Take your time, choose a complex but memorable PIN, and write it down in a separate, secure location from your phrase sheets, completing this vital step in your **Device Initialization**.
We cannot stress enough that the device requires the **PIN Code** verification for virtually all functions, including application installation, transaction signing, and connecting to **Ledger Live** after an extended period. This frequent verification ensures that unauthorized users cannot easily misuse your device. This security feature is intrinsic to the overall **Ledger Nano Setup** design and is fundamental to the entire **Starting Up Your Device®** flow prescribed at **Ledger.com/Start®**.
Phase 3: The **24-word Recovery Phrase** - Your True Master Key
Generation and Recordal - The Single Most Important Step
Once your **PIN Code** is set, your **Ledger Nano Setup** moves to the generation of the **24-word Recovery Phrase**. This phrase is the single **offline backup** of your crypto assets and the master key that can restore all your funds on any compatible device. The phrase is generated randomly and uniquely by the **Secure Element** of your device. It is never transmitted over the internet or stored digitally. Your Ledger Nano will display the words one by one. You must record these **24 words** meticulously on the provided recovery sheets, ensuring the spelling and order are 100% correct.
- **Rule 1: Offline Only:** Never take a photo, store a digital copy, or type the **24-word Recovery Phrase** into a computer.
- **Rule 2: Order Matters:** The words must be recorded in the exact sequence they appear, from word 1 to word 24.
- **Rule 3: Verification:** After writing, the device will prompt you to verify the words (e.g., confirm word 11, confirm word 19). This verification is mandatory to complete the **Device Initialization**.
This verification step is the final gate in the **Starting Up Your Device®** process. It forces you to prove that you have correctly recorded the phrase before the device is officially ready for use with **Ledger Live**. If you fail the verification, you must start the **Ledger Nano Setup** from the beginning. Treat these 24 words with the highest level of security; losing them means losing access to your funds if your device is permanently lost or damaged.
Securing Your **Offline Backup**
Where you store your **24-word Recovery Phrase** is as important as the phrase itself. Ideally, it should be stored in a location that is resistant to fire, water, and theft. Many users choose a fireproof safe, a bank vault, or specialized metal backups. The physical separation of the phrase from your Ledger Nano device is a core principle of **self-custody**. If you keep both the device and the phrase in the same location, you expose yourself to a single point of failure (e.g., a home invasion).
The entire integrity of your digital wealth rests on this simple piece of paper (or metal). Once your **Device Initialization** is complete, your device is ready to sync with **Ledger Live**, and you can begin adding accounts and managing your assets securely. However, never forget that the **24-word Recovery Phrase** remains the undisputed master key, permanently secured by the non-extractable data within the **Secure Element** until the moment you decide to restore. This deep dive into the security procedures ensures compliance with the best practices for **Starting Up Your Device®** outlined at **Ledger.com/Start®**.
The final step of the **Ledger Nano Setup** within **Ledger.com/Start** involves a conclusive check where Ledger Live confirms the device status is 'ready.' This confirmation signifies that the **Secure Element** has successfully generated and verified the **24-word Recovery Phrase** and that the **PIN Code** has been securely established. This robust initialization ensures that the foundation for your **self-custody** is absolutely solid. By rigorously adhering to these steps for **Starting Up Your Device**, you actively mitigate the risks associated with centralized custodians and software-only wallets. The process is lengthy but necessary, reinforcing the gravity of true ownership in **cryptocurrency management**. The recurrent use of terms like **Device Initialization**, **PIN Code**, and **24-word Recovery Phrase** across the official documentation is a deliberate strategy to ensure high-quality search results and protect users from phishing attempts that often rely on keyword confusion. The successful completion of this official **Ledger Nano Setup** is the definitive sign that you are prepared for secure, long-term asset management.