Ledger® Live: Getting Started™ — Step‑by‑Step Guide

Why Ledger® Live?

Ledger® Live is the official companion application for Ledger hardware wallets (Ledger® Nano S, Nano S Plus, Nano X). It acts as a local dashboard for viewing balances, adding accounts, installing blockchain apps on your device, sending and receiving cryptocurrency, staking supported assets, swapping tokens, and accessing partner services — all while keeping your private keys securely stored on the physical device. Because Ledger® Live is non‑custodial, you remain in full control of your funds: transactions require physical confirmation on the Ledger device.

Before you begin — essentials

• A Ledger® hardware wallet (Nano S, Nano S Plus, or Nano X).
• Computer (Windows, macOS, or Linux) or a smartphone (iOS/Android) with Ledger® Live installed.
• USB cable or Bluetooth (for Nano X).
• A secure place to write and store your recovery phrase (paper or metal backup).

Security reminder: Ledger® Live will never ask for your 24‑word recovery phrase. If asked — it's a scam. Never enter your recovery phrase into a website, mobile app, or chat.

Download & verify Ledger® Live

1. Open your browser and go to the official Ledger® website. Download Ledger® Live for your platform. Avoid third‑party mirrors.
2. When available, verify the file checksum/signature to ensure the download hasn’t been tampered with.
3. Install Ledger® Live and launch the app.

Ledger periodically releases updates. Keep Ledger® Live up to date to receive the latest features and security improvements.

Set up your Ledger® device (new device)

1. Turn on your Ledger device and choose Set up as new device when prompted.
2. Create a PIN code on the device. This PIN protects the device from unauthorized access if lost or stolen.
3. Write down your recovery phrase exactly as shown. Ledger® devices typically display 24 words. Confirm the phrase when prompted by selecting words in the correct order.

Store your recovery phrase offline (paper or metal). Consider using multiple backups in separate secure locations. Do not store the phrase on digital devices or cloud storage.

Restore an existing wallet

1. If you already have a recovery phrase from another device or a previous setup, choose Restore device on your Ledger device.
2. Enter your recovery phrase using the device buttons. Double‑check each word for spelling accuracy.
3. After restoring, connect Ledger® Live to add accounts and verify balances.

Connect Ledger® Live and add accounts

1. Open Ledger® Live and choose Get started. Select your Ledger model.
2. In Ledger® Live, go to Manager. Connect and unlock your device, then allow Ledger® Live to manage apps.
3. Install blockchain apps on the device (e.g., Bitcoin, Ethereum) via the Manager as needed.
4. Go to Accounts > Add account, pick the crypto, and follow prompts. Ledger® Live will scan the blockchain and add your accounts.

Accounts are watch‑only in the app; signing must occur on‑device. You can add multiple accounts for the same blockchain (multiple BTC/ETH addresses) if you want separation of funds.

Receiving crypto — always verify on‑device

1. In Ledger® Live click Receive and choose the account.
2. Connect & unlock your Ledger device and open the corresponding app on the device.
3. Ledger® Live will show a receiving address; compare it with the address displayed on the Ledger device screen and confirm they match.
4. Share the verified address with the sender or paste it into the sending platform.

Malware can alter addresses displayed on your computer. The only trustworthy display is your Ledger device screen.

Sending crypto — sign on your device

1. Click Send in Ledger® Live. Select the account, enter the recipient address and amount, and choose network fees.
2. Connect and unlock your Ledger device, open the appropriate app, and review transaction details shown on the device screen.
3. Confirm the transaction on the device by pressing the physical buttons. This signs the transaction using the private key stored on the device; private keys never leave the device.

For smart contract interactions (DeFi, token approvals), carefully review contract details and gas estimates. When in doubt, use trusted dApp interfaces and double‑check on‑chain data.

Manage apps, storage, and device firmware

Ledger devices have limited storage for blockchain apps. Use Ledger® Live Manager to install/uninstall apps; uninstalling an app does not remove funds from the blockchain. You may need to update device firmware occasionally — follow Ledger's official instructions and only update when connected directly to Ledger® Live.

Extra features: staking, swaps, NFTs, and partners

Ledger® Live offers staking for supported assets, integrated token swaps via partners, and limited NFT support for certain chains. These features use partner services — review fees, terms, and counterparty details before using. For advanced NFT or DeFi interactions, you can use third‑party apps while keeping Ledger® Live for secure signing.

Security best practices

• Buy Ledger devices only from the official store or authorized resellers to avoid tampered devices.
• Never enter your recovery phrase into any website, app, or person. Ledger® support will never ask for it.
• Set a PIN and consider using a passphrase only if you understand the risks (losing the passphrase means losing access to funds derived from it).
• Regularly update Ledger® Live and device firmware using official channels.
• Backup your recovery phrase in multiple secure locations and consider using a fireproof metal backup solution for long-term storage.

Troubleshooting common problems

1. Device not detected: Try a different USB cable/port, enable Bluetooth (Nano X), ensure the device is unlocked and on the correct app, and restart Ledger® Live.
2. App installation fails: Free up space on the device by uninstalling unused apps. Reconnect and retry via Manager.
3. Transactions stuck or pending: Low fees can delay confirmations. For advanced users, replace-by-fee (RBF) or nonce management might help on supported networks.
4. Lost recovery phrase: If you still have your device, create a new wallet and transfer funds to it immediately.

FAQ — Quick answers

Can I recover my funds if my Ledger is lost or stolen?

Yes. Use your recovery phrase to restore your wallet on a new Ledger device or compatible software/hardware wallet. That’s why securely storing the recovery phrase is essential.

Is Ledger® Live custodial?

No. Ledger® Live is non‑custodial. Private keys are stored on your Ledger device and never uploaded to Ledger servers.

Can I use multiple Ledger devices with one recovery phrase?

Yes. Restoring the same recovery phrase on another Ledger device creates the same wallet and accounts. For separation, consider using different passphrases.

Final checklist

• Device initialized and PIN set.
• Recovery phrase written down and safely stored offline.
• Ledger® Live installed and accounts added.
• Apps installed on the device for the blockchains you use.
• Familiar with verifying addresses and confirming transactions on the device.