Ledger® Live – Getting Started with Ledger® Wallet

What is Ledger® Live?

Ledger® Live is the official desktop/mobile companion app that lets you manage accounts, check balances, send/receive crypto, and install apps on your Ledger® hardware wallet. Download Ledger® Live only from Ledger’s official site to avoid fake apps and scams. :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}

Why use a hardware wallet + Ledger® Live?

A hardware wallet keeps your private keys offline while Ledger® Live provides an easy interface for daily management — combining strong security with convenience.

Prerequisites (what you need)

• A Ledger® device (e.g., Ledger Nano X, Ledger Nano S Plus, Ledger Stax).
• A computer (Windows/macOS/Linux) or a smartphone and an internet connection.
• Ledger® Live installed from the official download page. :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}

Official downloads & documentation

Always verify you are on ledger.com before downloading. Ledger’s support center also contains step-by-step setup articles and FAQs. :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}

Step-by-step: Setup Ledger® and Ledger® Live

1. Install Ledger® Live

1. Go to the official Ledger® Live download page and choose your platform. :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}
2. Install and open Ledger® Live; accept basic permissions and follow on-screen prompts.

2. Initialize your Ledger® device

1. Power on the device and choose Create a new wallet (or Restore if you have an existing recovery phrase).
2. Set a secure PIN on the device when prompted; this must be memorized. Do not write it on the recovery sheet.
3. The device will generate a 24-word recovery phrase — write it down on the supplied recovery sheet exactly in order and store it offline in a secure place. Never type, photograph, or store your recovery phrase digitally. :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}

3. Connect device to Ledger® Live

1. Open Ledger® Live, select your device model, and follow the pairing flow.
2. Ledger® Live will ask you to permit the device for management — confirm actions on the hardware device itself (a critical security step).

Using Ledger® Live: accounts, apps and transactions

Install coin apps (My Ledger)

Ledger® Live lets you install individual coin apps on the device (e.g., Bitcoin, Ethereum). Use the Manager / My Ledger section inside the app to safely install or remove apps, and keep apps and firmware up to date. :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}

Adding accounts

Add accounts in Ledger® Live for each asset you want to manage. Ledger® Live will derive public addresses from the hardware device — private keys never leave the device.

Sending & receiving

When sending, always verify the address on the hardware device’s screen — phishing or malware could show a different address on your computer. Confirm the address physically on your device before approving.

Security & Recovery (must-read)

Recovery phrase is the single point of access

Your 24-word recovery phrase (sometimes called a seed) is the ultimate backup. Anyone with this phrase can restore your funds to another device. Do not share it, do not enter it anywhere online, and do not store it digitally. Consider a metal backup for long-term durability. :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}

Best safety practices

• Only download Ledger® Live from ledger.com. (Multiple malware campaigns have targeted users with fake Ledger apps.) :contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7}
• Use a strong PIN and keep the device firmware & Ledger® Live updated. :contentReference[oaicite:8]{index=8}
• Use the Recovery Check app on your Ledger® device to verify your backup without revealing the words. :contentReference[oaicite:9]{index=9}

Firmware updates & maintenance

Keeping the device firmware and Ledger® Live up to date protects you against newly discovered vulnerabilities and improves compatibility. Use Ledger® Live → My Ledger → Firmware update flow and follow the exact on-screen instructions. Never skip or interrupt an update. :contentReference[oaicite:10]{index=10}

Troubleshooting common issues

• Device not detected: try a different USB cable/port and ensure you unlock the device before connecting.
• Ledger® Live sync problems: update the app, check internet connection, and reinstall apps if needed.
• Lost device but have recovery phrase: acquire a new Ledger® device and restore using your 24 words.

FAQs (short)

Q: Can Ledger® Live hold my crypto without a Ledger device?

A: Ledger® Live is intended to be used with a Ledger hardware wallet — private keys are held on the device.

Q: What if I forget my PIN?

If you forget the PIN and cannot unlock the device, you will need to reset the device and restore from your 24-word recovery phrase. If you don’t have the phrase, funds are irrecoverable.

Official Ledger® resources (10 essential links)