Ledger® Live: Wallet | Getting Started Guide

In the rapidly evolving digital economy, owning cryptocurrency is only half the journey—the other half is protecting it. For millions of crypto investors and holders, Ledger® offers an industry-standard solution for security through its hardware wallets. At the center of this powerful ecosystem is Ledger® Live, a desktop and mobile application that lets users manage, view, and grow their crypto portfolios—all while keeping private keys safely offline.

Whether you're new to crypto or transitioning from a software wallet, this step-by-step guide will walk you through getting started with Ledger Live Wallet, ensuring your digital assets remain secure, accessible, and completely under your control.

💡 What is Ledger® Live?

Ledger Live is Ledger’s proprietary software that connects to your Ledger Nano S Plus or Ledger Nano X hardware wallet. It allows you to interact with your cryptocurrencies without exposing your private keys to the internet. With Ledger Live, users can:

Ledger Live supports over 5,500 coins and tokens, making it one of the most versatile crypto management tools available.

🖥️ Step 1: Download and Install Ledger Live

Begin by downloading Ledger Live from the official website:
👉 https://www.ledger.com/ledger-live

Choose the version appropriate for your device—Windows, macOS, Linux, or iOS/Android. Avoid third-party sources to ensure you’re installing a genuine and secure version of the software.

Once downloaded, install and open the application. You’ll be greeted with an intuitive interface guiding you through the initial setup process.

🔐 Step 2: Set Up Your Ledger Device

If you're new to Ledger, you’ll need to initialize your hardware wallet before using Ledger Live:

  1. Power on your Ledger Nano S Plus or Nano X
  2. Choose “Set up as a new device”
  3. Select and confirm a PIN code (write this down and keep it private)
  4. Write down your 24-word recovery phrase—this is your backup key
  5. Confirm the phrase on your device when prompted

⚠️ Important: Never share your 24-word recovery phrase with anyone. Ledger will never ask for it. Store it securely offline in a safe place.

🔗 Step 3: Connect Your Wallet to Ledger Live

After setting up your Ledger device:

  1. Open Ledger Live
  2. Click “Get Started”
  3. Choose your device model and follow the prompts
  4. Connect your device via USB (or Bluetooth for Nano X)
  5. Complete the Genuine Check—this verifies that your device is authentic and not compromised

Once authenticated, you can now access Ledger Live’s full suite of features.

📥 Step 4: Add Your Crypto Accounts

With your wallet connected, the next step is adding accounts for the cryptocurrencies you want to manage:

  1. Go to the “Accounts” tab in Ledger Live
  2. Click “Add Account”
  3. Select a cryptocurrency (e.g., Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana)
  4. Ledger Live will prompt you to install the corresponding app on your Ledger device
  5. Confirm the installation on your device
  6. Your wallet will then scan the blockchain and sync your account

You can add multiple accounts across different networks and organize them in Ledger Live for easy access.

💸 Step 5: Receive and Send Crypto Securely

To Receive Funds:

To Send Funds:

Every transaction must be verified on your hardware wallet, keeping you protected from unauthorized access and malware.

📊 Step 6: Monitor and Grow Your Portfolio

The Portfolio tab in Ledger Live provides a comprehensive overview of your crypto assets. Features include:

You can also stake supported cryptocurrencies (like ETH, DOT, and ATOM) to earn rewards, or use swap features to exchange one asset for another—all while keeping your private keys secure.

🔧 Advanced Features

Ledger Live is constantly evolving and supports:

It’s a powerful tool for both beginner and advanced users.

🆘 Need Help? Ledger Support Is There for You

Ledger provides world-class customer support via its Ledger Support Center, which includes:

If you face any issues during setup or usage, the support team is ready to help you resolve them safely.

✅ Conclusion: A Smarter Way to Manage Crypto

With Ledger Live and your Ledger hardware wallet, you gain complete control over your digital assets without compromising security. From sending and receiving crypto to accessing DeFi apps and tracking your investment performance, Ledger Live makes the crypto experience seamless, safe, and empowering.

Getting started is easy. Visit ledger.com/ledger-live and take the first step toward self-custody, security, and financial freedom.

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