Ledger Live | Getting Started

Ledger Live is the essential application that enables you to manage your cryptocurrency portfolio securely. Paired with your Ledger hardware wallet, Ledger Live offers a seamless and safe way to manage, send, and receive cryptocurrencies. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the steps to get started with Ledger Live, ensuring that you can securely and easily interact with your digital assets.

Step 1: Download Ledger Live

To begin, you’ll first need to download Ledger Live, the official software application from Ledger®. It’s available for Windows, macOS, Linux, as well as iOS and Android. Here’s how to get started:

  1. Go to the official Ledger Live website or search for Ledger Live on your app store.
  2. Click the “Download” button, and follow the on-screen instructions to install it on your device.

Ledger Live is crucial for interacting with your Ledger hardware wallet, so ensure that you download it from the official source to avoid phishing or malware.

Step 2: Set Up Your Ledger Hardware Wallet

After downloading Ledger Live, you’ll need a Ledger hardware wallet (like the Nano S, Nano X, or Nano S Plus). If you’ve already purchased one, you can set it up as follows:

  1. Connect your Ledger device to your computer or mobile device via USB or Bluetooth (depending on your model).
  2. Create a PIN code directly on the device to ensure security. This PIN will be required each time you access your Ledger wallet.
  3. Write down your 24-word recovery phrase. This is the only backup for your wallet. Ensure you store it in a safe and secure place, as anyone with access to this phrase can access your funds.

Once the initial setup is complete, your Ledger device will be ready for use with Ledger Live.

Step 3: Pair Your Ledger Device with Ledger Live

  1. Open Ledger Live on your computer or mobile device.
  2. Select “Get Started” and follow the prompts to pair your Ledger device.
  3. Select your Ledger model (e.g., Nano S, Nano X).
  4. Confirm the connection by following the instructions displayed on both your Ledger device and Ledger Live.

At this stage, you’ll also have the option to create a new wallet or restore an existing one from your recovery phrase.

Step 4: Install Cryptocurrency Apps on Your Ledger Device

Ledger Live allows you to manage more than 5,500 digital assets. To do so, you’ll need to install apps for each cryptocurrency you wish to manage. Here’s how:

  1. Navigate to the "Manager" section in Ledger Live.
  2. Select the apps you want to install for specific cryptocurrencies (e.g., Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin).
  3. Confirm installation on your Ledger device by following the on-screen prompts.

Each app allows you to view your balances, send and receive assets, and track transaction history for that particular cryptocurrency.

Step 5: Add Crypto Accounts to Ledger Live

Once the apps are installed, you can add crypto accounts for each asset. Here's how:

  1. Go to the “Accounts” tab in Ledger Live.
  2. Click “Add Account”, and choose the cryptocurrency you’ve installed the app for.
  3. Follow the prompts to add the account to Ledger Live.

You’ll now be able to see your account balances, send and receive transactions, and manage your crypto assets securely from Ledger Live.

Step 6: Stay Secure

Security is crucial when managing cryptocurrencies, so keep these best practices in mind:

  • Never share your 24-word recovery phrase with anyone. Ledger will never ask for it.
  • Update your Ledger firmware regularly to ensure you have the latest security patches.
  • Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) on associated exchanges or accounts where possible.
  • Use strong passwords for any services connected to your crypto activities.