Ledger® Live — Getting started with Ledger™

Introduction

Ledger Live is the official companion application for Ledger hardware wallets. It enables you to install cryptocurrency apps on your Ledger device, add accounts, check balances, send and receive funds, stake supported assets, and manage firmware updates — while keeping private keys securely stored on the hardware device. This guide is written to help first-time users perform a secure initial setup and to explain the essential practices that help protect funds over time.

Before you begin: what you need

Preparing the right environment and tools before setup reduces the chance of mistakes. You will need:

• A Ledger hardware wallet (for example Ledger Nano S Plus or Ledger Nano X) and its original USB cable.
• A computer or mobile device where you will install Ledger Live. Keep the operating system up to date.
• A pen and the recovery sheet included with the device, or a metal backup solution if you prefer durable storage.
• A private, quiet space to write down your recovery phrase without cameras or observers.

Install Ledger Live

Download Ledger Live from an official source and install it on your computer. Use the official distribution channel rather than third-party sites. On desktop platforms Ledger Live is a signed application; verify any installer checksums if provided. After installation, open Ledger Live and follow the on-screen onboarding prompts.

1. Launch Ledger Live and choose whether to set up a new device or restore an existing wallet using a recovery phrase.
2. If setting up a new device, you will be guided to initialize the hardware with a new seed.
3. If restoring, select the restore option and enter the recovery phrase on the device when prompted.

Initialize your Ledger device

The initialization process is designed so that the most sensitive operations (seed generation and signing) happen on the device itself. Follow these steps:

1. Connect the device to the computer using the supplied cable and power it on.
2. Select “Set up as new device” on the device screen if you have a brand new device.
3. Create a device PIN when prompted. Choose a PIN that is memorable to you but not easily guessable by others.
4. The device will generate a recovery phrase (commonly 24 words, depending on the model). Write down each word in order on the supplied recovery sheet. Do not store the recovery phrase digitally.
5. Confirm the recovery phrase when the device prompts you to do so.

Protecting and storing the recovery phrase

The recovery phrase is the single most important artifact in your wallet security model. Consider the following practices:

• Prefer writing the seed on the provided recovery card or engraving it on a metal backup plate for fire and water resistance.
• Create at least two backups stored separately (for example a home safe and a safe deposit box) to mitigate the risk of local disaster.
• Label backup storage unobtrusively; avoid revealing the backup's purpose on the exterior.
• Test the restore process on a spare device with a small transaction to ensure you or a trusted custodian can recover funds if needed.

Using Ledger Live: adding accounts and managing assets

After initialization, add accounts in Ledger Live for the cryptocurrencies you want to manage. Ledger Live will handle account discovery and show balances and transaction history for each supported coin.

1. Open Ledger Live and navigate to “Accounts” > “Add account.”
2. Select the blockchain or token to add, then follow the prompts to connect and authorize the device.
3. To receive funds, generate a receive address in Ledger Live and always verify that the address displayed on your computer matches the address shown on your Ledger device screen before sharing it.
4. When sending funds, prepare the transaction in Ledger Live and confirm the amount, address, and fee on the device before approving.

App management and firmware updates

Ledger hardware uses small per-blockchain apps that you install through Ledger Live. Install only the apps you need to conserve device storage. Ledger Live will also notify you of firmware updates. Firmware updates fix security issues and add features; apply them only via the official update flow and confirm the update details on the device screen. Do not install firmware from untrusted sources.

Security best practices

Maintaining good operational practices is as important as the hardware itself. Recommended habits:

• Use a dedicated browser profile for crypto activity and minimize installed extensions.
• Keep your operating system, antivirus, and Ledger Live updated.
• Prefer hardware-based two-factor authentication (U2F/FIDO) for services that support it, rather than SMS-based 2FA.
• Verify every transaction on the device's screen — it is the last and most trustworthy confirmation before signing.
• Consider using a passphrase (optional) only if you understand that losing the passphrase makes funds unrecoverable even with the recovery phrase present.

Passphrase option: pros and cons

Ledger supports an optional passphrase appended to the recovery seed to create hidden wallets. This added secret increases security and privacy when used correctly, but it adds complexity and irreversible risk if forgotten. If you use passphrases:

• Store the passphrase securely and separately from the seed.
• Practice restoring a passphrase-protected wallet on a spare device to ensure you can recover funds if needed.

Basic troubleshooting

Common problems and simple remedies:

• Device not detected: try another USB port or cable, ensure the device is unlocked, and restart Ledger Live and the computer.
• App won't install: free space on the device by removing unused apps and retry; ensure Ledger Live is updated.
• Forgot PIN: after too many failed attempts the device will be wiped; restore from your recovery phrase on a new device.
• Seed suspected compromised: generate a new seed on a new device and move funds to addresses derived from the new seed as soon as possible.

Advanced considerations

For larger balances or institutional usage, consider advanced workflows such as multisignature wallets that require multiple devices or keys to sign a transaction, or air-gapped signing where unsigned transactions are generated on an online machine and signed on an isolated machine. These workflows reduce single-point-of-failure risk but require more operational discipline.

Frequently asked questions

1. Can I restore a Ledger seed on another vendor's device? Many vendors support standard mnemonics, but derivation paths and features may differ; verify compatibility before relying on cross-vendor restores.
2. Should I ever share my recovery phrase? No. Never share the recovery phrase with anyone. Legitimate support will never ask for it.
3. How often should I update firmware? Update when official releases address security issues or add important features. Verify the official update instructions each time.

Final checklist before funding

1. Confirm package integrity and that the device is genuine before powering on.
2. Install Ledger Live from the official source and verify the installer if possible.
3. Initialize the device and write down the recovery phrase on paper or metal backup.
4. Store backups in at least two secure, physically separate locations.
5. Install only required apps, verify firmware signatures, and update via Ledger Live official flow.
6. Generate a receiving address, check it on-device, and send a small test transaction first.

Ledger Live and a Ledger hardware wallet put powerful security capabilities within reach of everyday users. The most important practices are simple: generate and store your seed on the device and offline, verify everything on the device screen, and keep your companion software updated. Follow the steps above and incorporate the checklist into your routine to reduce the risk of irreversible mistakes.