Ledger Live® — Getting Started

The essential, beginner-friendly guide to install Ledger Live®, connect your Ledger hardware wallet, add accounts, and manage your crypto securely.

Ledger Live screenshot

Screenshot: Ledger Live — Dashboard. This guide mirrors the real steps and is designed to be clear and actionable.

Quick overview

Ledger Live® is the companion app for Ledger hardware wallets. It lets you manage multiple cryptocurrencies, send and receive coins, install blockchain apps on your Ledger device, and access extra services like staking and swaps — all while the private keys remain on your hardware wallet. This guide walks you through everything: downloading Ledger Live, connecting a Ledger device, creating or restoring a wallet, adding accounts, performing transactions, and following security best practices.

1) Before you start

Hardware wallets are a critical security layer — they keep your private keys offline. Before you begin:

  • Make sure you have your Ledger device (Ledger Nano S Plus, Ledger Nano X, or another Ledger model) and the device box.
  • Do not use third‑party websites to download Ledger Live. Always download from ledger.com/start or the official app stores.
  • Prepare a blank pen and a secure place to write your recovery phrase if setting up a new device. Never enter your 24‑word recovery phrase into any computer or phone — only the Ledger device itself.

2) Download & install Ledger Live

  1. Visit the official download page: ledger.com/start. Choose your operating system (Windows, macOS, Linux) or download from the App Store / Google Play for mobile.
  2. Install the application and open Ledger Live. On first open, you'll be shown an onboarding flow and prompts to accept terms and update the app if necessary.
  3. If the installer prompts for additional drivers (Windows), accept them to ensure a stable USB connection with your Ledger device.

Important: Always verify you downloaded Ledger Live from the official Ledger website or official app stores. Avoid third‑party installers.

3) Set up your Ledger device

Ledger devices can be set up as a new wallet or used to restore an existing one. Here’s a short checklist for a new setup:

  • Power on your Ledger device and follow the on‑device instructions to choose a PIN. Choose a PIN you can remember but not obvious to others.
  • The device will show your 24‑word recovery phrase (or less, depending on the model) — write these words down in order on the recovery sheet provided. Keep this sheet offline and secure.
  • Confirm the words as prompted by the device to ensure you've recorded them correctly.

Your recovery phrase is the only backup of your wallet. If you lose the device, you can restore funds using this phrase. Never share it, and never type it into websites, apps, or messages.

4) Connect Ledger Live with your device

  1. Open Ledger Live and choose Get started then Initialize as new device or Restore device, depending on your situation.
  2. When prompted, connect your Ledger device using the supplied USB cable or Bluetooth (Ledger Nano X). Follow on‑screen instructions and allow the connection on the device.
  3. Ledger Live may ask you to update the device firmware — it’s safe to follow the update steps if they are from inside the Ledger Live app.

5) Install blockchain apps & add accounts

Ledger devices use modular blockchain apps (e.g., Bitcoin, Ethereum). Install the apps you need via Ledger Live's Manager:

  1. Open the Manager tab in Ledger Live and connect your device.
  2. Browse the app catalog and click Install for each coin you plan to use.
  3. After installing apps, go to Accounts and add the accounts for the blockchains you installed. Ledger Live will detect addresses from your device and add the accounts to your portfolio view.

Accounts are read‑only in Ledger Live — private keys never leave the device. Transactions are created in Ledger Live and signed on the hardware device itself.

6) Send and receive crypto

Sending and receiving require different steps but are both straightforward:

Receive

  1. In Ledger Live, open the account you want to receive funds to and click Receive.
  2. Connect and unlock your device, then open the corresponding blockchain app (for example, open the Bitcoin app on device for BTC addresses).
  3. Ledger Live will show an address. Verify the address on the device screen — always confirm that the address matches before sharing it.

Send

  1. Click Send in the account view, enter the destination address and amount, and choose network fees.
  2. Review the transaction details in Ledger Live, then confirm and sign the transaction on your Ledger device.
  3. Once signed, the transaction is broadcast and appears in your account history.

Tip: Use the QR code scanning option on mobile where available to avoid copy/paste mistakes.

7) Extra services: swaps, staking, and NFTs

Ledger Live partners with trusted providers to offer additional in‑app services. Typical services include:

  • Swaps & exchanges — compare rates within Ledger Live and swap between supported assets.
  • Staking — delegate eligible assets (like Tezos, Polkadot, or Ethereum when available) directly through Ledger Live while keeping keys on device.
  • NFT support — view certain NFTs for supported chains, and manage them via compatible wallets connected to your Ledger device.

Always read the provider's fees and terms before using third‑party services inside Ledger Live.

8) Security best practices

Security is the most important part of owning crypto. Follow these best practices:

  • Never share your 24‑word recovery phrase. Ledger will never ask for it in an email or message.
  • Keep your recovery sheet offline in a safe place. Consider metal backups for long‑term storage to protect against fire or water damage.
  • Enable a strong PIN and enable any additional device protections your model supports.
  • Only install firmware and Ledger Live updates from the app itself or ledger.com.
  • Be wary of phishing sites — verify URLs and bookmarks before logging in or downloading files.

9) Troubleshooting & common issues

Common problems and quick fixes:

  • Device not detected: try another USB cable/port, reboot your computer, or re‑install Ledger Live drivers on Windows.
  • Firmware update failed: check battery (Nano X), reconnect the device, and retry via Ledger Live Manager.
  • App errors: remove and reinstall the blockchain app via Manager (this does not affect your accounts — private keys are still derived from your recovery phrase).
  • Missing accounts: ensure you installed the correct blockchain app and that you’ve added the account from the Accounts tab.

10) FAQs

Can I restore my Ledger wallet on another device?
Yes. Use the 24‑word recovery phrase to restore on a compatible Ledger device or any compatible wallet that supports BIP39/BIP44 where appropriate.
What if I lose my recovery phrase?
If you lose your recovery phrase, you risk losing access to your funds. Ledger cannot recover it for you. Consider storing copies in multiple secure locations.
Is Ledger Live custody?
No. Ledger Live is a management interface that communicates with your Ledger hardware wallet. Your private keys remain on the device — Ledger does not custody your assets.
Can Ledger Live connect to third‑party wallets?
Yes. Ledger devices can be used with compatible third‑party wallets to access features not currently available inside Ledger Live. When using third‑party wallets, confirm you are on an official, trusted site and that you sign transactions on the Ledger device.

11) Best practices for everyday use

  • For small, everyday payments, consider creating a "hot" software wallet with limited funds and keep the majority in your Ledger hardware wallet.
  • Regularly back up your recovery phrase and consider using a metal backup product for durability.
  • Keep Ledger Live and device firmware updated, but postpone updates until you’ve confirmed the official Ledger release notes if you rely on a specific third‑party app.

12) Where to learn more

Ledger provides extensive documentation, video tutorials, and a community forum. For advanced features (developer mode, custom derivation paths, or experimental apps), consult the official Ledger documentation at ledger.com/support or the Ledger Help Center.