How to setup Ledger Stax for the first time? (E-ink Display)

Initial Device Power-Up and Screen Activation

1. Press and hold the power button located on the right edge of the Ledger Stax for three seconds until the curved E Ink display lights up.

2. Observe the subtle grayscale gradient animation as the screen initializes—this confirms Secure Element chip readiness.

3. Wait for the “Welcome to Stax” message to appear with a blinking cursor beneath it; no USB connection is required at this stage.

4. Tap gently on the lower half of the touchscreen to proceed—the E Ink panel responds to capacitive touch without requiring pressure.

5. Confirm device authenticity by checking the holographic Ledger logo etched into the top bezel; counterfeit units lack precise micro-engraving detail.

Secure Element Initialization and Firmware Verification

1. The device automatically enters bootloader mode and displays a firmware version number (e.g., “Stax v2.4.1”) alongside a SHA-256 hash string.

2. Cross-reference the displayed hash against the official Ledger GitHub repository’s signed release manifest using an air-gapped device or verified offline terminal.

3. Use the physical side button to scroll through the hash if the full 64-character string does not fit on the E Ink screen.

4. Tap “Confirm” only after verifying byte-for-byte match—any mismatch halts setup and triggers automatic wipe.

5. The Secure Element chip writes immutable cryptographic roots once confirmed, locking firmware integrity permanently.

Recovery Phrase Generation and Physical Backup Process

1. Select language via touchscreen; the Stax supports 24 languages including Traditional Chinese, Arabic, and Japanese without font rendering glitches.

2. Tap “Generate Recovery Phrase” to initiate BIP-39 entropy generation inside the tamper-resistant chip—no external RNG involvement.

3. View each of the 24 words individually on the E Ink screen; scrolling is disabled during this phase to prevent accidental skipping.

4. Write every word in exact order on the included stainless-steel backup card using the supplied ceramic-tipped stylus—ink-based pens are discouraged due to smudging risks.

5. Perform a tactile verification by running your fingernail across engraved grooves on the steel card to confirm each character imprint depth matches official specifications.

Ledger Live Desktop Pairing and Chain-Specific App Installation

1. Install Ledger Live Desktop v2.48.0 or higher from ledger.com/download—browser extensions or third-party installers bypass mandatory signature checks.

2. Connect Stax via USB-C cable; Bluetooth pairing is disabled during first-time setup to eliminate MITM attack vectors.

3. Approve the “Allow Ledger Live to access device” prompt directly on the E Ink screen—not via computer interface.

4. Navigate to the Manager tab and enable Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Solana apps sequentially—each requires explicit touchscreen confirmation before installation begins.

5. Monitor progress bars rendered in monochrome on the E Ink display; partial updates never persist if interrupted mid-installation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I skip writing down the 24-word phrase if I enable cloud backup?A: No. Ledger Stax does not support any form of cloud, biometric, or encrypted digital backup. The steel card is the sole authorized recovery medium.

Q: What happens if I misread one word during manual entry during restore?A: The device rejects the entire phrase immediately. BIP-39 checksum validation occurs before any derivation attempt—no partial matches are accepted.

Q: Does the E Ink screen retain static images after power-off?A: Yes. The display maintains its last rendered state—including wallet address previews—for up to 72 hours without power due to bistable pixel technology.

Q: Is NFC functionality enabled by default on Stax?A: No. NFC remains physically disabled in hardware until explicitly activated via Ledger Live under Settings > Connectivity—activation requires two separate touchscreen confirmations.