Ledger® Live — Getting started with Ledger®

Welcome to Ledger Live — the official desktop and mobile companion for Ledger hardware wallets. This guide walks you through installing Ledger Live, connecting your Ledger device, managing accounts, and best security practices so you can safely store, send, and receive crypto assets.

What you’ll need before you begin

Make sure you have the following items ready: a Ledger hardware wallet (Ledger Nano S Plus, Nano X, or any supported model), the USB cable or Bluetooth connection for your device, a computer or mobile phone that meets Ledger Live requirements, and your recovery phrase (written down and stored offline). Never store your recovery phrase in plain text on a device connected to the internet.

Step 1 — Download and install Ledger Live

Download Ledger Live from the official Ledger website or the app store for your mobile device. Prefer the desktop installer for full functionality when managing many accounts. Only download from the official Ledger domain and verify the download signature if you can. After downloading, install and open Ledger Live.

Step 2 — Initialize or restore your Ledger device

If you have a new device, choose Set up as new device and follow the on-screen steps to create a PIN and generate a recovery phrase (24 words by default).
If you already have a recovery phrase, choose Recover device and enter your seed words using the device interface — never type your seed on a computer.
Keep your recovery phrase offline. Consider using a metal backup for extra resilience against fire, water, and physical damage.

Important: Ledger will never ask for your recovery phrase via email, website, or support agents. If anyone asks, stop and do not share it.

Step 3 — Connect Ledger Live to your device

Open Ledger Live, go to the Manager tab, and connect your Ledger hardware using the cable or Bluetooth (for Ledger Nano X). Approve any connection prompts on the device screen. Ledger Live communicates with the device to install or update app packages that let the device manage different blockchains and tokens.

Step 4 — Install apps and add accounts

In Manager, install the blockchain apps you need (e.g., Bitcoin, Ethereum).
Switch to the Accounts tab and click Add account. Follow the prompts and confirm your account addresses on the device screen.
Repeat for additional cryptocurrencies and token standards (ERC-20, BEP-20, etc.).

Step 5 — Receive and verify addresses

When receiving funds, always open the Receive flow in Ledger Live and verify the destination address displayed on your Ledger device. Confirming on-device ensures that malware on your computer cannot alter the address without your knowledge.

Sending funds — preview and confirm

To send crypto, create a transaction in Ledger Live and then verify the recipient address, amount, and fees directly on your Ledger device. Only confirm the transaction on-device if everything matches your intent.

Security best practices

Never share your recovery phrase. The phrase is the single secret that controls your funds.
Keep your PIN confidential and avoid entering it in front of others.
Use a passphrase (optional) to create hidden wallets; this adds security but increases complexity and risk of loss if the passphrase is forgotten.
Regularly update Ledger Live and your device firmware, but only through official sources and after reading release notes.
Use two-factor authentication (2FA) on services linked to your crypto (exchanges, email) to reduce account takeover risk — but 2FA does not replace hardware wallet safety.

Troubleshooting common issues

Ledger Live does not detect my device: Try a different USB port or cable, ensure the device is unlocked, and verify that you opened the appropriate app on the device (e.g., Bitcoin app for BTC accounts). On mobile, confirm Bluetooth permissions and pairing status.

App installation fails: Ensure your device firmware is up to date and you have enough app space. Ledger devices have a limited number of apps that can be installed simultaneously — uninstall apps temporarily to install others without losing funds.

Transaction stuck or missing: Check transaction status on the blockchain explorer for the relevant network (use only reputable explorers). If a transaction has low fees and is pending, consider using mechanisms supported by the network to bump fees or replace the transaction (RBF on Bitcoin, etc.) if you understand the risks.

Advanced features

Ledger Live supports staking, swapping, and portfolio tracking for supported assets. Explore the Manager and Discover sections for integrations and partner services, but always verify any third-party service independently and understand their fees and privacy implications.

Checklist before making large transfers

Confirm the recipient address on the Ledger device screen.
Verify the network (e.g., Ethereum vs. a scaling solution) to avoid cross-chain mistakes.
Confirm transaction fees and expected confirmation times in Ledger Live.
Send a small test amount first when sending to a new address or contract.

FAQ

Q: Can I recover my funds without Ledger Live?
A: Yes — your recovery phrase allows you to recover funds using compatible wallets that support the same derivation paths. However, using a new hardware wallet is recommended to restore full hardware-level security.

Q: Is Ledger Live required to use a Ledger device?
A: Ledger Live is the recommended companion app for everyday management, but advanced users can use other wallet interfaces that support Ledger devices for specific features.