Welcome to **Ledger.com/Start**: **Starting Up Your Device**
This is the **official Ledger guide** for initial **device setup**. Follow these four critical steps precisely to verify your device's authenticity, establish your PIN, and securely create your **24-word Recovery Phrase** for ultimate **non-custodial security**.
Begin Your Secure SetupStep 1: Physical Unboxing, Tamper Check, and Connecting Your Device
Verify Physical Integrity: The Essential **Device Setup** Prerequisite
Your first defense against supply chain attacks begins with the **unboxing process**. Before connecting your device, you must meticulously inspect the packaging. Look for the **tamper-evident seals**; any sign of opening, damage, or re-sealing means you must **STOP** and contact Ledger Support immediately. This step, outlined explicitly on **Ledger.com/Start**, is fundamental to establishing trust in your hardware. Once verified, connect your **Ledger hardware wallet** to your computer using the original USB cable. The device screen should immediately display a welcome message, typically "Welcome to Ledger," which is the first internal check confirming the device's operational status. The device is powered by the connection, ready to be recognized by the companion application. This initial phase of the **starting up your device** procedure confirms that your **Certified Secure Element** hardware has not been physically compromised. We cannot overstate the importance of this **authenticity check**; it is the cornerstone of your **non-custodial security**. Do not skip or rush the unboxing and physical verification phase, as your entire **crypto asset management** future depends on the unblemished integrity of this physical device.
Step 2: Configuring Your Confidential PIN Code for Physical Access Security
PIN Creation: The Only Password You Enter on the **Hardware Wallet** Itself
The next critical phase in **starting up your device** is the establishment of your **PIN code**. This PIN serves as your defense against unauthorized physical access to your **digital assets**. You must choose a PIN between 4 and 8 digits long. **Crucially, you will enter this PIN directly on the screen of your Ledger device, not on your computer.** This methodology is a core **security feature** of the **Certified Secure Element**, ensuring that your PIN is never exposed to a potentially compromised computer or its keyboard logging functions. Choose a strong, unique PIN that you have not used for any other purpose. The device will require you to confirm the PIN twice. If you forget this PIN, it can only be restored using your **24-word Recovery Phrase**, which underscores the absolute importance of that phrase (covered in the next step). The PIN locks the **hardware wallet** upon disconnection or after several failed attempts, protecting your **crypto portfolio** even if the device falls into the wrong hands. Remember, a secure PIN is the immediate barrier protecting the **Certified Secure Element** and your **private keys** during the routine process of **managing crypto assets safely**. This step is a necessary element of the official **Ledger device setup** guide found at **Ledger.com/Start**.
Step 3: The **24-Word Recovery Phrase** – Generating and Securing Your Master Key
The Core of **Non-Custodial Security**: Generating the **24-Word Backup**
This is arguably the most vital stage in **starting up your device**: the generation and secure recording of your **Recovery Phrase**. The device will display a sequence of **24 words**, one by one. **These words are your final, ultimate, and only backup.** The phrase is generated entirely offline by the **Certified Secure Element** chip within your device and never transmitted over the internet. You must use the provided **Recovery Sheet** cards and write down each of the **24 words** meticulously in the correct order. **Under no circumstances should you ever digitize this phrase.** This means no photographs, no screenshots, no typing it into a computer, cloud service, or phone. The moment your **24-word Recovery Phrase** touches an internet-connected medium, your **non-custodial security** is instantly compromised. After writing the phrase, the device will prompt you to verify a random selection of words from your list to confirm the accuracy of your transcription. This **device setup** verification process is essential. Store the completed Recovery Sheet in a secure, fireproof, and private location, such as a safe deposit box or a metal storage container. If you lose your Ledger device, this **24-word backup** is the key to restoring all your **crypto assets** on a new device. If you lose this phrase, your funds are permanently inaccessible. Treat your **Recovery Phrase** with the utmost reverence; it is the physical embodiment of your absolute control over your entire **digital asset management** portfolio.
Step 4: Completing Setup and Beginning **Crypto Asset Management** with Ledger Live
Installing **Ledger Live** and Final Device Verification
With your PIN set and your **24-word Recovery Phrase** secured, the final step in the **Ledger device setup** involves downloading and installing the official **Ledger Live** application (Desktop or Mobile). Always download this application directly from the link provided on **Ledger.com/Start** to prevent downloading malicious clones. Once installed, **Ledger Live** will run a final **genuine device check**, communicating securely with the **Certified Secure Element** to confirm that the firmware is official and the device has not been tampered with electronically. Only after this conclusive check is complete will you be able to initialize your accounts, install the necessary applications (like Bitcoin or Ethereum apps), and begin **managing your crypto assets safely**. **Ledger Live** is the user-friendly interface that allows you to check your balance, send and receive funds, stake, and swap, all while your **private keys** remain locked and isolated within the physical **hardware wallet**. Congratulations—you have successfully completed the official **starting up your device** procedure and embraced the highest standard of **non-custodial security** for your entire **crypto portfolio**.
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