Ledger® Live — Getting started™ with Ledger®

A complete, practical guide to set up your Ledger hardware wallet and use Ledger Live safely. This guide focuses on secure initialization, recovery, daily use, firmware integrity, and recovery planning.

Unboxing & verification

When your Ledger device arrives, inspect it before powering on. Confirm the packaging seals and included items match the model you purchased.

  • Ledger device (Nano S Plus or Nano X)
  • USB / USB‑C cable
  • Recovery sheet and quick start guide
  • Accessory items depending on model (case, keychain)
If packaging appears tampered or items are missing, stop. Contact the vendor or official Ledger support; do not set up the device.

Prepare — gather what you need

Before setup, arrange a clean, private environment and these items:

  • Trusted computer (or mobile device) with internet access
  • Original USB cable
  • Pen and the provided recovery sheet (or archival paper)
  • Optional: metal seed backup for added resilience

Avoid public or shared computers when initializing a wallet for the first time to reduce attack surface.

Device setup — initializing your Ledger

Initializing a device typically means choosing a PIN, generating a recovery phrase, and installing Ledger Live to manage accounts.

Set up as new device

  1. Install Ledger Live from ledger.com/start and open it.
  2. Connect your Ledger device and choose "Set up as new device" on the device screen.
  3. Choose a secure PIN on the device. Enter it when prompted — don't store the PIN with the recovery phrase.
  4. Write down the recovery phrase shown on the device exactly in the order presented. Confirm words when requested.

Restore from existing recovery phrase

  1. Select "Recover" on the device and input words in the correct order via the device interface.
  2. Set a new PIN and proceed to Ledger Live to add accounts.

Recovery phrase (seed) — backup & resilience

The recovery phrase is the cryptographic master key. Protect it offline with robust physical backups.

Best practices

  • Write words by hand on the recovery sheet; double‑check spelling and order.
  • Keep multiple copies in geographically separate secure locations.
  • Use metal plates for fire/water resistance for long‑term safekeeping.
  • Never type or photograph your seed or store it on any connected device.

If your recovery phrase is exposed, generate a fresh wallet on a new device and transfer funds immediately.

Ledger Live — installation and core features

Ledger Live is the official app to manage accounts, install blockchain apps, send/receive crypto, and stake supported assets.

Install Ledger Live

  1. Download Ledger Live from the official Ledger site and install it on your computer or mobile device.
  2. Create a local profile and open the app. Ledger Live stores configuration and a local cache only (not your seed).

Core features

  • Portfolio dashboard and activity history
  • Manager to install/remove blockchain apps
  • Accounts to view balances and create transactions
  • Staking features for supported chains

Manager & apps

Ledger apps are small programs installed to your device enabling support for specific blockchains. The Manager in Ledger Live handles app installation.

  1. Open Ledger Live → Manager with your device connected and unlocked.
  2. Install the app(s) for the assets you want to manage.
  3. Add accounts in the Accounts tab after installing the necessary apps.

Removing an app does not remove access to the underlying funds — accounts are derived from your recovery phrase and reappear when the app is reinstalled.

Send & receive — secure transaction workflow

Receiving

  1. Open Ledger Live → Accounts → Receive to request an address.
  2. Confirm the address on your Ledger device to ensure it matches the app's address.

Sending

  1. Open Accounts → Send, paste the destination address and amount, and choose a fee.
  2. Verify transaction details in Ledger Live and on-device before approving. Ledger signs transactions only after on-device confirmation.

Always double-check destination addresses. Blockchain transactions are irreversible.

Staking & earning

Ledger Live supports staking for select assets. Staking rewards vary and may involve lockup periods and protocol-specific risks.

  1. Confirm the asset supports staking in Ledger Live and add the corresponding account.
  2. Select "Stake" or "Delegate" and choose a reliable validator after research.
  3. Confirm staking transactions on-device and monitor rewards and unbonding schedules.

Staking is not risk-free. Understand validator risk, slashing policies, and unstaking timelines.

Firmware updates & device care

Firmware updates are signed and distributed by Ledger. They patch security issues and add features; apply them carefully and only from official sources.

  1. Ledger Live will notify you when firmware updates are available. Read release notes first.
  2. Perform updates via Ledger Live while the device is connected. Confirm any checksums or fingerprints if shown.
  3. Do not disconnect the device during the update. If an update fails, reconnect and follow recovery instructions.

Keep the device dry, clean, and away from strong magnetic fields. Store device and recovery phrase separately.

Security best practices

  • Purchase from official or authorized resellers only.
  • Never share your recovery phrase; Ledger support will never ask for it.
  • Use a strong, non-trivial PIN and do not store it with your seed.
  • Consider an optional passphrase for plausible deniability, but understand forgetting it means losing access.
  • For large holdings, consider multisig and custody diversification.
If you suspect compromise, generate a fresh wallet on a new, verified device and transfer funds immediately.

Support, troubleshooting & FAQ

Device not detected

  • Try the original cable and a different USB port. Restart Ledger Live and your computer.
  • Check system permissions (macOS/Linux) or USB drivers (Windows).

Firmware update issues

Reconnect the device and follow Ledger Live recovery options. Contact official support if problems persist — never share your recovery phrase with anyone.

Lost recovery phrase

Without your recovery phrase, wallet recovery is not possible. If you still have device access, create a new wallet and move funds immediately.

FAQ

Can Ledger be used with MetaMask?
Yes — Ledger devices can connect to MetaMask and other wallets for signing transactions on-device.
Does Ledger support NFTs?
Viewing and managing NFTs may require third-party wallets compatible with Ledger; support depends on the network and wallet used.
What if my device is stolen?
If your PIN and recovery phrase are secure, theft alone may not give access. If the recovery phrase is lost or exposed, move funds immediately from a secure device.