Ledger® Live Wallet – Getting Started™

A concise, practical walkthrough to download, set up, secure, and begin using Ledger Live with your Ledger hardware wallet.

1. Download & Install Ledger Live

Official source & recommended clients

Always download Ledger Live from Ledger’s official site. Choose the desktop or mobile client to match your device (Windows / macOS / Linux / iOS / Android). After download, run the installer and follow the interactive prompts to start the setup process.

Tip: official download page and signatures are published on Ledger's site — verify you are on ledger.com before installing.

2. Initial Setup: Hardware + Ledger Live

Initialize your Ledger device

Power up your Ledger device and follow on-screen prompts to set it up as a new device or restore from an existing recovery phrase. Ledger Live will guide you step-by-step to create accounts and install apps for each cryptocurrency you want to manage.

Quick steps

See device-specific setup guides on Ledger’s support center for Nano S, Nano X, and other models.

3. Security: Protecting your recovery phrase & passphrase

Fundamental rules

Never disclose your 24-word recovery phrase. Do not enter it into software, websites, or message threads. Prefer offline, physical storage (paper or metal backup) stored in a secure location such as a safe or safety deposit box.

Advanced option — passphrase

Ledger provides an optional passphrase (an extra word added to your seed) that creates separate wallet namespaces. Use a passphrase only if you understand the implications: lost passphrases = lost access.

Security alert: Fake Ledger apps and installers have been used in scams. Only download from Ledger's official site and app store pages; if any interface asks for your recovery phrase, it's a scam.

4. Using Ledger Live: features at a glance

Manage, buy, swap, stake

Ledger Live lets you manage accounts, send/receive crypto, buy and sell via integrated partners, swap tokens, and stake supported assets. Install coin-specific apps (e.g., Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana) on your device via Ledger Live’s Manager.

Extensions & ecosystem

Ledger Live integrates with services like Ledger Recover (optional backup service) and other Ledger ecosystem features. Evaluate optional services carefully and store credentials securely.

5. Troubleshooting & official support

Where to get help

If you encounter install errors, device pairing issues, or suspect a security incident, consult Ledger’s support center and step-by-step knowledge base articles. Do not follow help from unverified social accounts or untrusted downloads.

6. Quick checklist (before you transact)

Ready-to-send checklist

Keeping the hardware device physically secure and the recovery phrase private gives you true self-custody — but with responsibility. If you’re unsure, consult official Ledger Support articles or the Ledger Academy for deeper explanations.