A **refined site** guide for the official, secure onboarding process to activate your hardware wallet.
For every new owner of a Ledger device (Nano S Plus, Nano X, or Stax), **ledger.com/start** is the mandatory first step. It is the official, verified portal designed to walk you through a non-reversible security process that **isolates your private keys** from the internet. This is not merely a landing page; it is the most critical security checkpoint in your crypto journey. Relying on this official source prevents you from downloading fraudulent software—a primary attack vector for hackers. This guide provides the **high-quality content** necessary to navigate this process with absolute confidence.
The Ledger model is built on three unbreakable pillars of security. Understanding and executing each pillar precisely is essential for protecting your assets against every conceivable threat, from malware on your PC to phishing attacks. **Your financial sovereignty begins and ends with these initial steps.**
Pillar 1: Hardware Integrity and PIN
Upon unboxing, the first crucial check is **device integrity**. Ensure the box's security seals are intact and that the device itself has no pre-written recovery phrase cards. A genuine Ledger device will **never** ship with a pre-printed phrase. Next, you will power on the device and select **"Set up as a new device."** This triggers the Ledger’s Secure Element chip to generate your unique, cryptographic keys offline.
You will then be prompted to create your **PIN code** (4 to 8 digits). This PIN protects against physical theft and unauthorized access. Critically, the PIN is entered directly on the device itself, providing another layer of defense against keyloggers on your computer. After three incorrect PIN attempts, the device will **wipe itself**, protecting your assets, which can then be safely restored using the recovery phrase.
Pillar 2: The **24-Word Secret Recovery Phrase**
This phase is the absolute cornerstone of the **ledger.com/start** setup. Your device will display a sequence of **24 unique English words**. This phrase is the cryptographic seed that can regenerate all your private keys and all your crypto accounts. **It must be treated as your most valuable possession.**
**Ledger, nor any authority, can recover your phrase for you.** Losing this phrase means losing access to your funds if your device is destroyed. Sharing this phrase means giving someone else complete control over your assets. **Complete this step meticulously before proceeding.**
Pillar 3: Ledger Live Download and Setup
The final phase of the **ledger.com/start** guide is downloading and installing the Ledger Live application. This is essential for managing your assets, updating firmware, and installing specific crypto applications (e.g., Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana) onto your hardware device.
**Crucial Security Tip:** Only use the official download links provided on the **ledger.com/start** page. Never search for Ledger Live downloads on a search engine, as the top results are often phishing advertisements. Once installed, Ledger Live will automatically perform an **Authenticity Check** to confirm that your hardware device is a genuine Ledger product. This closed-loop verification provides an unparalleled level of security assurance. You can now install the necessary coin apps and begin creating accounts, ready for sending and receiving cryptocurrency with your newly secured, **high-quality content** setup.