Ledger® Live: Getting started™ with Ledger | Live®

A practical, step-by-step guide to set up Ledger Live, configure your Ledger device, add accounts, and manage your digital assets securely. This document covers essential workflows and safety practices for both new and experienced users.

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Introduction

Ledger Live is the official companion application for Ledger hardware wallets. It provides a single interface for installing device applications, creating and managing accounts, monitoring portfolio value, sending and receiving cryptocurrencies, and connecting to partner services such as swaps, purchases, and staking providers. The core security model is simple: private keys remain on the hardware device and never leave it. Ledger Live acts as an interface and synchronizes public blockchain data for display.

This guide explains how to download Ledger Live safely, initialize or connect a Ledger device, add accounts, perform transactions, and follow security best practices. It also includes troubleshooting tips and useful links for further support.

What you will need

1. Download Ledger Live safely

Always download Ledger Live from the official Ledger website. Avoid third-party download mirrors and links that arrive in unsolicited email or social channels. The official start page is https://www.ledger.com/start.

  1. Open your browser and go directly to the official start page.
  2. Choose the installer that matches your operating system and download it.
  3. Run the installer and follow the installation prompts on your computer.
Pro tip: If you prefer added assurance, verify the installer checksum if Ledger provides it for the release. Never install software from links shared via unknown emails or chats.

2. Unboxing and initial device setup

If you have a brand new Ledger device, follow the setup guidance included with it. If you have an existing Ledger device, you may connect it to Ledger Live and use an existing configuration.

  1. Unbox and connect: Use the supplied cable to connect the device to your computer.
  2. Power on: Power on the device and follow on-screen prompts to either set up as new or restore from a recovery phrase.
  3. Create a PIN: Choose a PIN code on the device. This protects access to the device itself.
  4. Recovery phrase: The device will generate a recovery phrase (commonly 24 words). Write these words down in the correct order on the provided card or another secure medium. Do not store the recovery phrase digitally or share it with anyone.
  5. Confirm your backup: You will be asked to confirm selected words to verify you recorded the recovery phrase correctly.

If you receive a device that is already initialized with a PIN or recovery phrase, contact Ledger support and do not use that device — devices should be initialized by the owner only.

3. Install and open Ledger Live

After installation, open Ledger Live. During the first run, the application may prompt you to set preferences and to allow network synchronization. Ledger Live will download public blockchain data needed to display balances and transaction history; private keys never leave the hardware device.

Follow the in-app instructions to indicate whether you are setting up a new device or connecting an existing one. When Ledger Live detects your device, it will show a connection or "device found" notification and provide next steps such as installing apps on the device through the Manager.

4. Install apps and add accounts

Ledger devices rely on small, dedicated apps to support different blockchains (for example: Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana). These apps are installed on the hardware device using the Ledger Live Manager.

  1. Open the Manager in Ledger Live and follow the prompts to allow the Manager to interact with your device.
  2. Install the apps you need on the device (one app per supported blockchain). App sizes vary by device model and storage capacity.
  3. Return to the Accounts tab and choose "Add account". Select the currency and follow prompts to add an account bound to the keys on your device.

You can add multiple accounts for the same currency (for example multiple Bitcoin accounts) to organize funds across purposes.

5. Receiving and sending crypto

Ledger Live provides explicit flows for receiving and sending assets. The hardware device is always used to confirm outgoing transactions, which provides a strong security guarantee.

To receive

  1. Go to the Receive tab in Ledger Live and select the account you want to receive funds into.
  2. Ledger Live will display a receiving address; also display the address on your Ledger device screen and verify that both match before sharing the address with the sender.

To send

  1. Go to the Send tab, enter the destination address and amount, and review fees and memo fields as needed.
  2. Proceed and sign the transaction on the Ledger device. Carefully verify the destination address, amount, and any contract data displayed on the device before confirming.
Pro tip: For smart contract interactions (DeFi), double-check that the dApp or partner is trustworthy and verify encoded data on the device when possible.

6. Using Swap, Buy and staking features

Ledger Live may provide integrations with third-party partners to let you buy assets with fiat, swap between tokens, or stake supported coins. These are optional services presented within Ledger Live with partner details and fees disclosed.

When using any third-party integration, Ledger Live acts as the interface while the final signing decision remains on the hardware device. Always read partner terms and confirm fees before proceeding.

7. Firmware and app updates

Ledger periodically releases firmware updates and app updates that improve security and add features. Ledger Live notifies you when updates are available. Follow on-screen instructions to update firmware; ensure you have your recovery phrase reliably stored before updating as a precaution.

If an update is interrupted, do not panic. Reconnect the device and follow the in-app recovery prompts. Consult official support if required.

8. Security best practices

9. Troubleshooting common issues

ProblemSuggested action
Device not recognizedTry a different USB cable or port, restart Ledger Live, ensure no other wallet software is blocking the device.
App installation failsRestart your computer and device, ensure firmware is current, and retry the Manager.
Missing account balancesCheck that the correct app is installed on the device, resynchronize the account, or try re-adding the account.
Firmware update interruptedReconnect the device and follow recovery instructions in Ledger Live. Contact support if unsure.

10. Recovering from a lost or damaged device

If you lose your Ledger device or it becomes damaged, you can recover your accounts on a new genuine Ledger device using your recovery phrase. During setup on the new device choose "Restore from recovery phrase" and enter the words in the correct order. Once restored, add your accounts in Ledger Live and allow the app to resynchronize transactions and balances from the network.

If your recovery phrase has been exposed, move funds to new addresses derived from a fresh, uncompromised recovery phrase immediately.

11. Advanced options

Power users may use optional features such as a passphrase (an additional secret that creates hidden accounts), multiple accounts for the same asset, custom fee settings, and developer tools or SDKs for integrations. Use these features only if you understand the tradeoffs; for instance, a lost passphrase can permanently lock funds associated with that hidden account.

12. Privacy and telemetry

Ledger Live collects minimal telemetry by default to help improve product quality and performance. Public blockchain data such as addresses and transactions are pulled to display balances and history; private keys and recovery phrases are never transmitted. Review Ledger's privacy and telemetry settings in the app and adjust preferences if you wish to limit data sharing.

13. Useful resources

14. Final checklist