A friendly, step‑by‑step guide to set up Ledger Live, secure your devices and start managing crypto safely.
Ledger Live is the official desktop and mobile application that communicates with your Ledger hardware wallet. It gives you one secure interface to manage accounts, check balances, send and receive assets, install apps on your device, and check firmware updates. This guide will walk you through downloading Ledger Live, logging in, creating or restoring an account, basic security best practices, and first transactions.
Before installing Ledger Live, make sure you have a supported computer or smartphone, a reliable internet connection, and your Ledger hardware wallet (Ledger Nano S Plus, Nano X, or other supported model). You will also need your 24‑word recovery phrase (or to be ready to set one up) — write it on the recovery sheet that came with your device; never store it digitally.
Go to the official Ledger website and download Ledger Live for your operating system. Always verify the domain and checksum when possible. Install the app, then open it. On mobile, download Ledger Live from the official App Store or Google Play store. When prompted, allow permissions necessary for the app to function.
Connect the hardware wallet to your computer or pair it via Bluetooth (Nano X). Unlock the device using your PIN. Ledger Live will detect the hardware wallet and prompt you through setup choices — choose to configure as a new device or recover an existing wallet. Never share your PIN or recovery phrase with anyone.
If you are new, choose "Set up as new device" and Ledger will create a new 24‑word recovery phrase; write it down in order and keep it offline. If you already own a Ledger or want to restore, choose "Restore device" and enter the 24 words when prompted. Ledger Live itself does not store your recovery phrase — it remains on the device and with your offline backup.
Inside Ledger Live, navigate to the "Accounts" tab and click "Add account". Pick the currency (Bitcoin, Ethereum, etc.) and follow the on‑screen steps to derive addresses from your device. Each account represents a blockchain address set; you can add many accounts for different cryptocurrencies and tokens.
To receive funds, open the account in Ledger Live and click "Receive". Confirm the exact receiving address shown both in Ledger Live and on your device screen — they must match. To send, click "Send", enter the destination address, choose fees and confirm the transaction on your hardware device. Always double‑check addresses and amounts.
If Ledger Live doesn't detect your device: try a different USB cable or port (use the original cable when possible), unlock the device and allow the manager connection. On Bluetooth pairing issues, restart both device and phone. If transactions fail, verify network fees and blockchain congestion. If something seems wrong, stop and consult Ledger's official support resources rather than third‑party forums.
Ledger Live supports installing and removing apps on your device to manage different blockchains, staking (for supported assets), swap integrations, and a portfolio view. Explore settings to customize your display currency, enable developer or expert modes, and manage notifications. Use the built‑in manager for installing blockchain apps carefully and only when needed.
If your device is lost, damaged or stolen, you can recover funds on another compatible Ledger device or on compatible software that supports BIP‑39/BIP‑44 using the 24 words. Never share the phrase; anyone with it can access your funds. If you suspect your phrase is compromised, move funds immediately to a new wallet with a fresh recovery phrase.
Q: Can Ledger Live store my crypto?
A: Ledger Live is an interface — private keys always remain on your Ledger device, not on the computer or Ledger servers.
Q: What if I forget my PIN?
A: After too many wrong attempts the device will reset; you must restore from your 24‑word recovery phrase.
Q: Can I use Ledger Live on multiple devices?
A: Yes — Ledger Live can be installed on multiple computers or mobiles. Your accounts are derived from the same recovery phrase on the hardware device.