Ledger® Live Wallet – Getting Started™

Download Ledger Live Wallet

1. Open a browser and go to ledger.com/start. This is the official download page for Ledger Live Wallet.
2. Select your device model and your platform (desktop or mobile) and download the official installer or open the App Store / Google Play link for mobile.
3. Advanced users: verify the installer signature or checksum if Ledger publishes them for extra assurance.
4. Install the app and open it. Allow any OS prompts for USB or Bluetooth access if you trust your environment.

Never download Ledger Live from unofficial mirrors or links provided in unsolicited messages — phishing remains a major attack vector in crypto.

First run & initial setup

On first launch Ledger Live will guide you through a setup flow. You'll choose between "Get started" and "Already have a device":

1. Get started: Choose this if your device is new and you want on-screen guidance to initialize it.
2. Already have a device: Use this if your Ledger is already initialized and you want to connect it to Ledger Live.
3. During setup you may be prompted to create a Ledger Live application password (optional) — this protects local Ledger Live data such as account labels and preferences.

The Ledger Live application password is separate from your Ledger device PIN. The device PIN is entered on the hardware device and authorizes signing operations.

Ledger Live login & security

Ledger Live supports an optional application password that encrypts local data. This provides added privacy and convenience, particularly on shared devices.

• Application password: Encrypts local Ledger Live data (labels, settings). It can be reset by reinstalling the app — it does not affect the device seed or PIN.
• Device PIN: Entered on your Ledger hardware. Required to unlock device and approve transaction signatures.

If you forget the Ledger Live application password, reinstalling Ledger Live clears local data; reconnect and re-add accounts by unlocking your Ledger device. Your funds remain safe on-chain as long as you have your recovery seed.

Connecting your Ledger device

1. Connect your Ledger device using the USB cable (or enable Bluetooth for Nano X on mobile).
2. Unlock the device by entering your PIN on the device itself — never enter the PIN into your computer or phone keyboard.
3. Ledger Live will detect the device and may ask to authorize Manager access for app installation.

If the device isn't recognized, try another USB cable or port, ensure the device is unlocked, and restart Ledger Live. On mobile, ensure Bluetooth permissions are enabled and the device is paired.

Manager: install and update apps

The Manager tab in Ledger Live lets you install blockchain-specific apps on your Ledger device. Each app supports a network (Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, etc.) and consumes device storage.

1. Open Ledger Live and go to Manager. Connect and unlock your device so Manager can interact with it.
2. Install apps for the currencies you want to use. If your device runs out of storage, uninstall unused apps and reinstall them later — uninstalling an app does not remove access to funds.
3. Apply firmware and app updates via Manager to keep your device secure and compatible.

Firmware updates are signed and should only be applied through Ledger Live. Do not accept firmware prompts from unknown sources.

Adding accounts

After installing necessary apps, add accounts in Ledger Live to view balances and transaction history.

1. Go to Accounts → Add account and select the cryptocurrency.
2. Ledger Live will prompt you to open the corresponding app on your device to synchronize addresses and balances.
3. Label accounts to stay organized. You may add multiple accounts for the same currency if needed.

Accounts are derived from your recovery seed. Removing an account from Ledger Live does not delete funds — re-add the account later to view balances again.

Receiving crypto

1. Select the account in Ledger Live and click Receive.
2. Ledger Live will display a receiving address. Always verify that address on your Ledger device screen and approve it to ensure it matches.
3. Copy the verified address and provide it to the sender. Send a small test amount first if this is your first transaction with that sender or address.

Address verification on-device prevents malware or clipboard hijacking from changing the displayed address in Ledger Live.

Sending crypto

1. Click Send, choose the account, enter recipient address and amount, and select the network fee.
2. Review transaction details in Ledger Live. The Ledger device will present the full transaction details on its screen.
3. Verify amount, recipient address, and fee on-device and approve to sign. The signature never leaves the device unapproved.

Never approve transactions you did not initiate. If a transaction looks suspicious, cancel and investigate before approving anything.

Network fees & transaction settings

Ledger Live typically suggests fee levels (economy, standard, priority) depending on network conditions. Adjust fees according to how quickly you want the transaction to be confirmed. For certain chains, advanced fee customization may be available.

• Use higher fees for time-sensitive transactions (e.g., trading deadlines).
• Use lower fees for non-urgent transfers; be aware of potential delays during network congestion.

Staking, DeFi and dApp integrations

Ledger Live supports staking for selected networks (such as Tezos, Cosmos) and offers integrations with third-party wallets and decentralized applications (dApps). When interacting with external services, always verify transaction details on-device and understand the permissions you're granting.

• Only stake through official Ledger partners or well-audited integrations.
• Understand lockup periods, validator risks, and unstaking delays before delegating funds.
• When connecting Ledger to dApps, use reputable sites and confirm the domain — phishing dApps can attempt to trick users.

Security best practices

• Download Ledger Live only from ledger.com/start or official app stores.
• Never enter your 24-word recovery phrase into Ledger Live, any website, or a digital file. Record it offline and store it securely (paper or metal backup).
• Use a strong Ledger device PIN and an application password for Ledger Live to protect local metadata if desired.
• Keep Ledger Live and your device firmware up to date via official channels.
• Be vigilant against phishing: always verify URLs, use bookmarks for frequent sites, and avoid clicking unknown links related to crypto activity.

Troubleshooting common issues

Ledger Live doesn't detect my device

• Try a different USB cable or port. Use the cable supplied with the device when possible.
• Make sure the device is unlocked (enter PIN) before connecting.
• Restart Ledger Live and your computer; reinstall Ledger Live if problems persist and ensure you downloaded it from ledger.com.
• On mobile, check Bluetooth permissions and pairing for Nano X.

Transaction pending or not broadcasting

• Check network status and mempool conditions — delays are often due to network congestion.
• Confirm you used an appropriate fee. Some networks allow replacement or cancellation in certain conditions.

Forgot Ledger Live password

Reinstalling Ledger Live clears local data and removes the application password. Reconnect and unlock your Ledger device to re-add accounts. Funds remain safe as they are stored on-chain and controlled by your device's seed.

Advanced topics

Passphrases (25th word)

An optional passphrase adds a 25th word to your 24-word recovery phrase to create a separate derived wallet. This provides extra security and plausible deniability but introduces a critical extra secret — losing the passphrase means permanent loss of funds in that derived wallet.

Using Ledger with third-party wallets

Ledger integrates with many third-party wallets for specialized features (DeFi, NFTs, multisig). Always verify that a third-party wallet is reputable and that you approve transactions on-device. Do not export private keys from your Ledger device.