Getting started with Ledger Wallet (formerly Ledger Live)

A concise, practical guide to install, secure, and use Ledger Wallet with a Ledger hardware device.

1 — What is Ledger Wallet and why use it?

Ledger Wallet is the official desktop and mobile companion application for Ledger hardware devices. It provides a single interface to view balances, manage accounts, install apps on your device, and send/receive transactions while keeping private keys offline on the Ledger device.

Quick benefits

Private keys are stored inside your Ledger device (offline).
Transactions are signed on-device — the app only prepares and broadcasts them.
Supports many blockchains and tokens via apps and integrations.

2 — Before you start (safety first)

Always download Ledger Wallet only from official Ledger sources and never share your recovery phrase. Ledger support repeatedly warns users about fake or malicious downloads that ask for seed phrases. Treat your 24-word (or relevant) recovery phrase like cash: never type it into apps or websites.

Security checklist

Download from ledger.com or from official app stores.
Verify checksums/signatures when provided for desktop installers.
Never enter your recovery phrase into any website or app.
Use the device's PIN and, where available, a passphrase for added protection.

3 — Install Ledger Wallet (desktop or mobile)

Choose the platform you want: desktop (Windows / macOS / Linux) or mobile (iOS / Android). The app will guide you through connecting a Ledger device, detecting installed apps, and adding accounts.

Steps (desktop)

Go to the official Ledger download page and pick your OS.
Install the app and open it. Connect your Ledger device with the official USB cable.
Follow on-screen prompts to unlock the device and add accounts.

Steps (mobile)

Install the Ledger Wallet app from the App Store or Google Play.
Open the app and pair it with your Ledger device (Bluetooth for devices that support it).

4 — Using Ledger Wallet day-to-day

Use Ledger Wallet to check balances, add or remove accounts, and send transactions. When sending, the transaction details appear on your Ledger device screen — always review them before approving.

Common tasks

Add account: Select the coin or token, and follow the steps to add it to your portfolio.
Install apps on device: Use the app manager to install the blockchain-specific app on the Ledger device (e.g., Bitcoin, Ethereum).
Update firmware/OS: Keep the device OS up to date via Ledger Wallet prompts for security and compatibility.

5 — Troubleshooting & resources

If you encounter issues, Ledger Support has step-by-step guides and recovery tools. Common fixes include reinstalling Ledger Wallet from the official site, updating the device OS, and using the Recovery Check or restore procedures if needed.

Helpful tips

If an interface ever asks for your seed phrase — stop immediately.
Use Ledger’s official documentation for firmware and recovery steps.

This guide is a practical starting point. For deep dives (setup walkthroughs, firmware notes, recovery checks), consult the official Ledger links in the right-hand panel.