Welcome to the Official **Ledger Onboarding Portal**
Congratulations on choosing the definitive **Secure Crypto** solution. This is your first step into true **digital assets** sovereignty. Follow this mandatory **Ledger Start** guide to securely set up your new **Hardware Wallet** and protect your financial future.
The 3 Pillars of **Ledger Start** Setup
Set Your PIN Code
The PIN Code is the physical lock on your **Hardware Wallet**. It is required every time you turn on your device. Choose a unique 4-to-8 digit code using the device's physical buttons. Remember this code is your first line of defense; if lost, your **Recovery Phrase** is needed. Never use sequential or common numbers. This step completes the initial security layer of the **Onboarding Portal** device setup.
Record Your **Recovery Phrase**
This is the single most important step. Your device will display a 24-word seed, known as the **Recovery Phrase**. This phrase is the master key to your **Secure Crypto** **digital assets**—it is not stored by **Ledger Live** or Ledger. Write it down **physically** on the provided sheet, check the spelling meticulously, and store it in a secure, fireproof location. Digital storage is strictly forbidden for the **Recovery Phrase**.
Run the Genuine Device Check
After installing **Ledger Live** (the **Onboarding Portal** software), connect your **Hardware Wallet** and run the Genuine Device Check. This feature cryptographically verifies that your device is a genuine **Official Ledger** product and has not been compromised. This ensures complete trust and is a final check before you begin managing your **crypto assets**. The **Ledger Start** journey concludes with this vital step.
The Sovereignty of the 24-Word **Recovery Phrase**
When people talk about cold storage and **Secure Crypto**, they are really talking about the **Recovery Phrase**. This 24-word sequence is not a password; it is the mathematical representation of your private keys. The funds (your **digital assets**) are never *on* the device—they are recorded on the blockchain, and the **Recovery Phrase** is the only way to generate the private keys needed to access them. Protecting this phrase is the entire responsibility of the user. This concept is fundamental to the entire **Ledger Start** philosophy.
Losing your PIN means a temporary inconvenience; losing your **Recovery Phrase** means permanent loss of access to all your **crypto assets**. If someone gains access to your phrase, they gain control of your funds, regardless of the physical security of your **Hardware Wallet**. This truth is why the **Official Ledger** **Onboarding Portal** emphasizes this step above all others, ensuring compliance for **Microsoft Bing indexing** by providing detailed, authoritative security content.
- Store the **Recovery Phrase** offline and hidden.
- Never take a picture or store it in the cloud.
- The phrase must be written, not typed.
- Use the official backup sheets provided in your **Official Ledger** box.
Connecting with **Ledger Live**
Once your **Hardware Wallet** is initialized (PIN and **Recovery Phrase** secured), **Ledger Live** becomes your simple and reliable **Onboarding Portal** interface. The software allows you to view balances, manage transactions, and install new coin applications onto your device. All sensitive operations, like sending funds, still require the physical presence and confirmation from your **Official Ledger** device. The desktop application facilitates the management of your **Secure Crypto** accounts, but the security remains entirely hardware-based.
Why **Official Ledger** is the Standard for **Secure Crypto**
Every step in the **Ledger Start** process, from setting the PIN to protecting the **Recovery Phrase**, is engineered to provide maximum isolation from online threats. The combination of the certified Secure Element chip in the **Hardware Wallet** and the transparent interface of the **Ledger Live** **Onboarding Portal** creates a security moat unmatched by software solutions. This superior security standard is why the **Official Ledger** brand is synonymous with the safe custody of **crypto assets** and why we prioritize detailed, authoritative content for search engines like **Microsoft Bing indexing** to ensure users find this critical information quickly.
Secure Element Chip
Offline **Recovery Phrase**
Genuine Device Verification