Ledger.com/start – Interactive FAQ

Ledger.com/start is the official onboarding page from Ledger. It walks users through hardware wallet setup, initialization, and pairing with the Ledger Live App. Starting here ensures a secure and authentic setup, avoiding fake downloads or phishing attempts that target new crypto users.

The official page provides verified instructions, genuine firmware links, and anti-phishing protection. Third-party tutorials may contain outdated steps or unsafe advice. By beginning at Ledger.com/start, you guarantee your device setup follows authentic, secure procedures endorsed by Ledger itself.

A Ledger hardware wallet is a physical device that secures your private keys offline. It isolates sensitive cryptographic operations inside a certified Secure Element chip, ensuring that even if your computer is hacked, your crypto keys remain protected within the device.

The Ledger Live App acts as your digital command center. You can send, receive, buy, or stake cryptocurrencies, view NFTs, and monitor your portfolio. All sensitive signing operations occur on the hardware wallet, ensuring private keys never leave the device.

Your recovery phrase is a 24-word seed generated during wallet setup. It’s the master key to all your assets. If your device is lost or damaged, the phrase restores your wallet. Store it securely offline — never type or upload it anywhere.

Yes, your Ledger hardware wallet can safely connect to multiple computers or mobile devices with the Ledger Live App installed. Your private keys stay inside the device and never touch external systems, keeping your crypto safe across all your devices.

During setup, the Ledger Live App automatically verifies your device authenticity by checking cryptographic signatures from Ledger’s secure servers. Only purchase devices directly from Ledger.com or authorized partners to avoid tampered or counterfeit products.

Absolutely. Ledger supports over 5,000 cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, and many altcoins. Through Ledger Live, you can install blockchain-specific apps on your device to manage multiple assets simultaneously, all protected by your hardware wallet’s secure environment.

Ledger uses a Secure Element chip (CC EAL5+) and proprietary BOLOS OS to store and isolate private keys. Even if your PC is infected with malware, transaction approvals must be confirmed on the device’s screen, preventing unauthorized transfers or tampering.

If you lose your device but still have your recovery phrase, you can restore your entire wallet on another Ledger or compatible wallet. Without the recovery phrase, no one — not even Ledger — can recover your funds, ensuring maximum user control and security.

Yes! Ledger supports NFT storage and management through the Ledger Live App and integrations with marketplaces. You can securely view, send, and receive NFTs while keeping private keys offline — the safest way to protect your digital collectibles from theft.

No legitimate source, including Ledger’s support team, will ever ask for your recovery phrase. If anyone requests it, it’s a scam. Never share your phrase — whoever holds it controls your crypto. Keep it private, offline, and physically secure at all times.

Ledger Live uses a partially open-source model. While key security modules are closed for safety reasons, many components are publicly auditable. This transparency ensures community trust while maintaining top-tier protection against hardware or software exploits.

Firmware updates include critical security patches and new features. Check Ledger Live regularly for updates and install them promptly. Always verify firmware updates within Ledger Live to ensure authenticity and prevent installing fake or malicious versions.

Hot wallets are software-based and connected to the internet, making them vulnerable to hacks. Ledger wallets are “cold storage” devices that stay offline, storing your private keys in hardware so they cannot be accessed or stolen remotely.

Yes, Ledger Live supports staking for major cryptocurrencies like Ethereum, Tezos, and Polkadot. Staking lets you earn rewards while your private keys stay secure inside your hardware device, giving you both passive income and peace of mind.

Ledger combines security-certified hardware (CC EAL5+ chip), a proprietary operating system, and an intuitive app ecosystem. It’s user-friendly yet advanced enough for professional traders, supporting thousands of crypto assets with unmatched trust and industry recognition.

Ledger works seamlessly with DeFi platforms through WalletConnect or browser extensions like MetaMask. You can lend, borrow, or stake assets directly on DeFi dApps while securely signing every transaction on your Ledger device, never exposing your keys online.

You can initialize and restore your Ledger device offline, but the Ledger Live App needs internet to synchronize blockchain data. However, private keys never connect to the web — the signing process happens entirely inside your offline hardware wallet.

Self-custody means you truly own your crypto. Exchanges can be hacked or freeze withdrawals, but with Ledger, you hold your private keys. This decentralizes control, protects your wealth, and aligns with the core principle of cryptocurrency — financial sovereignty.