Ledger® Live Wallet – Getting Started™™®

A concise, practical guide to set up, secure and start using Ledger Live

1 • What is Ledger Live?

Ledger Live is the official desktop and mobile application that pairs with Ledger hardware wallets so you can manage, send, receive, stake and track many cryptocurrencies securely from one interface. It acts as the user-friendly gateway while your private keys remain stored offline on your Ledger device.

Tip: Always download Ledger Live from the official Ledger site to avoid malicious copies.

2 • Quick checklist before you start

  • Buy an authentic Ledger hardware device from an authorized seller.
  • Have a secure pen and paper for your recovery phrase (never store digitally).
  • Use a personal, malware-free computer or phone to install Ledger Live.
  • Ensure you download the app only from the official Ledger download page (see links).
  • Keep firmware and Ledger Live updated.
  • Never share your recovery phrase with anyone — not even Ledger support.
  • Enable OS-level security: strong password, disk encryption, anti-malware.

3 • Step-by-step: Set up & pair

Open Ledger Live and choose Get started. Select your device model and follow the on-screen setup flow. The app walks you through device initialization, creating a PIN, and writing down your recovery phrase. After this, install the apps (Bitcoin, Ethereum, etc.) from the Manager inside Ledger Live and add accounts to view balances.

4 • Security best practices

Always verify on the hardware device screen when you approve transactions — the device is the true authority. Beware of phishing and fake apps that may ask for your recovery phrase or attempt to replace Ledger Live. Ledger will never ask for your 24-word phrase.

5 • Common tasks: send, receive, stake

To receive crypto, use Ledger Live to generate an address and verify it on your device. To send, prepare the transaction in Ledger Live and confirm the details on the hardware. Ledger Live also integrates swapping and staking options where supported.

6 • Where to learn more & get help

Use official guides for detailed instructions and troubleshooting. Check Ledger’s status page if you see unexpected errors, and review Ledger Academy for broader crypto safety lessons.

Official Links & Resources ↓