**Ledger.com/Start**: Initiating Your **Hardware Wallet** Security Protocol
Your journey into true **cold storage** and self-custody begins at **Ledger.com/Start**. This portal guides you through the non-negotiable **initial setup** steps for your Ledger device. Every action described here is designed to isolate your **private keys** and establish the foundation of your **Secure Crypto Portfolio** control.
1. Unboxing and Physical Integrity Check at **Ledger.com/Start**
The first layer of **Secure Crypto Management** is physical. Upon unboxing, you must confirm that the packaging is intact. This confirms your device has not been tampered with or compromised before it reached you.
Sealed Box Verification
Examine the packaging for any sign of tampering, resealing, or damage. The box must be factory-sealed. If anything looks suspicious, stop immediately and contact official support via **Ledger.com/Start** resources.
Kit Contents Checklist
Ensure all expected components are present, including the **hardware wallet**, USB cable, and the blank **Recovery Phrase** sheets. If any phrase sheet is pre-filled, the device is compromised. Only proceed if the sheet is blank.
Powering On
Connect your **hardware wallet** to your computer via the USB cable. The device will power on and should display a welcome message, prompting you to begin the **initial setup** on the screen.
2. Establishing the **PIN Code**: Your Local Access Key
The PIN code is the first layer of electronic security. It is required every time you connect your **hardware wallet**. You select and enter this code *only* on the Ledger device itself.
- Device-Only Entry: Your PIN code is never entered into your computer, ensuring total isolation from keyloggers and computer viruses.
- Length and Strength: Choose a strong PIN between 4 and 8 digits. Longer is generally safer, but choose something you can reliably remember.
- Brute Force Protection: If the PIN is entered incorrectly three times, the device will wipe itself clean, initiating the **cold storage** failsafe. You must then use your **Recovery Phrase** to restore access.
- Internal Storage: The PIN is stored within the device's certified **Secure Element** chip, separate from the internet and the host computer.
3. Generating the **Recovery Phrase** (The **Cold Storage** Master Key)
This is the single most important step in the entire **initial setup** process. The 24-word **Recovery Phrase** is the cryptographic key to your **Secure Crypto Portfolio**. It is the only way to recover your **crypto assets** if your device is lost, stolen, or damaged.
Offline Generation Guarantee
The 24 words are randomly generated by the device's true random number generator (TRNG) within the **Secure Element** chip. They are never transmitted over the internet, never backed up by Ledger, and are only displayed on the device's trusted screen. This guarantees the purity of your **private keys** from the moment of creation.
The Absolute Physical Backup
You must manually write down all 24 words, in order, on the blank sheets provided. Check your spelling twice. This physical sheet *is* your backup. It must be stored in a highly secure, private location—ideally fireproof and waterproof. Anyone who finds this phrase controls your **crypto assets**. **Ledger.com/Start** cannot help you if you lose it.
**CRITICAL WARNING:** Your **Recovery Phrase** must NEVER be photographed, typed into a computer, stored in a cloud service, or saved digitally in any format. Maintain **cold storage** discipline from the very beginning.
4. Finalizing the **Initial Setup** and Connecting to Ledger Live
After the device prompts you to verify your **Recovery Phrase** (a mandatory check where you confirm several words), you can connect it to the software interface and officially transition from **Ledger.com/Start** to management.
Firmware and Wallet App Check
Once initialized, the **Ledger Live Desktop** application will perform a **Genuine Check** to cryptographically verify the device's authenticity and ensure the firmware is up-to-date. This step is a final safeguard against potential supply chain attacks.
Install Crypto Applications
Use the "Manager" tab in Ledger Live to install the specific blockchain applications (e.g., Bitcoin, Ethereum) onto your **hardware wallet**. This enables the device to derive and manage your **crypto assets** accounts, officially concluding the **initial setup** phase initiated at **Ledger.com/Start**.
Complete the Steps, Secure Your Future
By following this rigorous **initial setup** guide, you have established a non-custodial environment where your **private keys** are protected by the **Secure Element** and backed up only by your **Recovery Phrase**. Continue your **Secure Crypto Management** within Ledger Live, confident that your **cold storage** is the best defense for your **crypto assets**.
Proceed to Ledger Live