Ledger® Live — & Getting Started

A practical, thorough guide to downloading Ledger Live, initializing your Ledger device, managing accounts, and following strong security practices.
Approx. 2500-word style • Audience: beginners → advanced • Platforms: Desktop & Mobile

Intro — what this guide will help you do

This guide is for anyone who owns or plans to buy a Ledger hardware wallet and wants a secure, practical walkthrough for Ledger Live — the official app that pairs with Ledger devices. You’ll learn how to safely download Ledger Live, create or restore a wallet, set device PINs, install blockchain apps, add accounts, send and receive crypto, interact with DeFi and NFTs safely, and troubleshoot common problems.

Why Ledger Live & hardware wallets matter

Software wallets (hot wallets) are convenient but expose private keys to the host device. Hardware wallets isolate the private keys in a secure element and require on-device confirmation for every signature. Ledger Live provides a user-friendly, auditable interface while leaving keys secure on the hardware device — giving you both safety and usability.

Before you begin — essential safety checklist

  • Order devices only from official channels or authorized resellers — avoid secondhand or unsealed units.
  • Prepare a pen and a secure physical medium (recovery card, strong metal backup) to record your recovery phrase.
  • Use a private, up-to-date computer for first-time setup if possible.
  • Download Ledger Live only from the official source (type the domain directly) and verify HTTPS lock icon.

Step 1 — Download Ledger Live

Visit the official Ledger download page and choose the version for your OS (Windows, macOS, Linux) or install the mobile app from the App Store / Google Play. Avoid third-party mirrors or links from unsolicited emails/messages.

Desktop installation

  1. Download the installer for your OS from the official site.
  2. Run the installer and accept any system prompts (UAC on Windows, move to Applications on macOS).
  3. Open Ledger Live and follow the first-run wizard (language, telemetry opt-in, basic settings).

Mobile installation

  1. Open the App Store or Google Play, search "Ledger Live", and install.
  2. Open the app and follow onboarding — for Nano X use Bluetooth pairing, for other devices use OTG adapters where supported.

Step 2 — Initialize your Ledger device

When you power on a new Ledger device it will be in factory mode. Ledger Live will guide you to either create a new wallet (generate seed) or restore a wallet from an existing seed. Creating a new wallet on-device is the recommended approach for most users.

Create a new wallet (overview)

  1. Connect the Ledger device to your computer and power it on.
  2. Choose "Create a new device" in Ledger Live when prompted.
  3. Set a device PIN directly on the hardware — this PIN is required to unlock the device for signing operations.
  4. The device will generate the recovery phrase (commonly 24 words). Write the words down in order on the supplied recovery card or use a metal backup. Never store the seed in a photo or cloud storage.
  5. Confirm words on-device when asked to ensure accuracy.

Restore a device (overview)

  1. Choose "Restore from recovery phrase" in Ledger Live.
  2. Enter the number of words and input them using the device interface as instructed.
  3. Set a device PIN and finish the onboarding steps.
Tip: If you’re unsure about the physical durability of paper backups, consider a metal backup plate to protect the recovery phrase from fire, water, and aging.

Step 3 — Install apps and add accounts

Ledger devices support small blockchain-specific apps (e.g., Bitcoin, Ethereum). Use Ledger Live → Manager to install the apps you need. Installing an app enables the device to sign transactions for that chain.

  1. Open Ledger Live → Manager and connect/unlock your device.
  2. Install apps for the blockchains you plan to use (Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, etc.).
  3. Go to Accounts → Add account and follow prompts to discover accounts for each currency.

Step 4 — Receive and send safely

Receiving

  1. In Ledger Live choose Receive and pick the account.
  2. Connect the device and open the corresponding app on-device.
  3. Ledger Live shows a receiving address — always verify the address on the device screen before sharing it. The device display is the authoritative source of the address.

Sending

  1. Create a Send transaction in Ledger Live and enter the recipient address and amount.
  2. Review fees and details in Ledger Live.
  3. The transaction is sent to the device for signing; verify the address, amount, and fee on the device screen, then confirm physically on the device to sign.

Security best practices — non-negotiables

  • Protect your recovery phrase: This is the single master key to all derived accounts. Never reveal it or enter it into any website or app.
  • Verify on-device: Always compare addresses and transaction details on the hardware display before approving.
  • Use strong PINs & passphrases carefully: The device PIN guards physical access. Optional passphrases create hidden wallets — use them only if you understand the additional responsibility.
  • Keep firmware and software up to date: Apply updates only via official Ledger Live prompts. Do not install third-party firmware.
  • Buy genuine hardware: Only purchase from ledger.com or authorized resellers to reduce supply-chain risk.
  • Limit exposure: Keep large holdings in cold storage and use a separate spending wallet for day-to-day transactions.

DeFi, dApps & NFTs — how to interact safely

Ledger Live integrates with select DeFi flows and offers partner integrations. For advanced dApp interactions you may use connectors (WalletConnect, MetaMask with hardware signing). Always use these safety steps:

  • Verify contract calls on-device when device supports it.
  • Limit token allowances — avoid granting unlimited allowances to unfamiliar contracts.
  • Prefer using a "bridge" wallet with limited funds for experimental dApp interactions.
  • For NFTs, double-check destination addresses and contract details on-device if possible.

Troubleshooting — common problems & fixes

Device not detected

  • Try a different USB cable or port — use the original cable if available; some cables are power-only.
  • Unlock the device and ensure the correct app is open for the currency being accessed.
  • Restart Ledger Live and reconnect the device; on macOS check Security & Privacy if any components were blocked.

Firmware update failed

Do not disconnect the device during firmware updates. If an update fails, follow Ledger Live's recovery instructions. If the device becomes unresponsive, contact official support and provide device model, Ledger Live version, OS version, and reproduction steps — never share your recovery phrase.

App install errors / insufficient memory

Uninstall apps you don’t need to free device memory (this does not delete funds — keys are derived from your seed). Reinstall apps when required.

Privacy & data handling

Ledger Live derives account balances from public blockchains and may use light API endpoints for convenience. The app can optionally collect anonymized telemetry; you can opt-out in settings. Ledger does not have your recovery phrase — that stays on the device only.

Backup, migration & recovery

If your device is lost or damaged, restore your accounts on a new Ledger device or compatible wallet using your recovery phrase. For migration between devices, restore the seed on the new device and reinstall apps using Ledger Live Manager.

When to contact support (and what to include)

Contact official Ledger support for hardware defects, firmware bricking, or suspected tampering. When contacting support include:

  • Device model and serial (if visible)
  • Operating system and version
  • Ledger Live version (Settings → About)
  • Steps to reproduce the issue and screenshots (do not include your recovery phrase)

Checklist — quick startup summary

  1. Purchase from official channel
  2. Download Ledger Live from the official site
  3. Create or restore a wallet on-device; write your recovery phrase offline
  4. Install apps via Manager and add accounts
  5. Verify receiving addresses and sign transactions on-device
  6. Keep firmware & Ledger Live updated

Final thoughts — healthy habits for long-term custody

Hardware wallets significantly reduce risk, but long-term safety depends on good operational security. Treat your recovery phrase like the master key it is; verify everything on-device; use dedicated signing machines for large transactions if possible; and consider multisig or institutional solutions for high-value holdings. With disciplined habits and Ledger Live as your management interface, you can balance usability with strong protection for your crypto assets.