00 — BEFORE YOU BEGIN
One app. A little more confidence.
Ledger Live is a companion app for managing supported crypto accounts with a Ledger hardware signer. It lets you check account activity, receive assets, and prepare transactions, while the signer keeps private keys protected offline and asks you to approve actions on its screen. The app is a window into your accounts—not a place where Ledger stores your recovery phrase.
Take time to verify downloads, understand on-device approvals, and start small. Crypto transactions can be irreversible; this guide is educational, not financial advice. Features change, so check Ledger’s official resources for current instructions.
01 — SET UP THE APP
Install from a source you trust.
Visit Ledger’s official Ledger Live page by typing the address or using a trusted bookmark. Choose the version for your computer or phone and follow the instructions there. Avoid sponsored results, message links, file-sharing sites, and lookalike domains: a familiar logo does not prove an app is genuine.
Open the app and follow its welcome screens; wording may vary by version. Choose the setup option that matches your situation. Never enter a recovery phrase into Ledger Live, a website, a chat, or a computer prompt. Legitimate setup does not require you to reveal it.
02 — PAIR YOUR SIGNER
Let the device lead.
Connect your Ledger device, unlock it with its PIN on the device, then pair it with Ledger Live using a supported connection method. Follow prompts in both places. The app may ask you to confirm the device or install an app for a network. Approve only actions you initiated.
Sensitive approvals happen on your signer. Check addresses and transaction details on its display—not only on your phone or computer. Blockchain transactions cannot be reversed. If a prompt is unexpected, reject it and consult Ledger’s official help center before continuing.
03 — LEARN THE BASICS
Get comfortable before you act.
Explore the dashboard and accounts. An account shows activity for a network; some actions require the matching network app on your signer. Portfolio values are estimates that move with market prices, and displayed amounts may take time to refresh.
Use the receive flow to get an address for the intended asset and network. Confirm it on your Ledger device, then compare it before sharing. Token names and networks can look alike; using an incompatible network can cause permanent loss. Verify all details with the sender.
04 — FIRST TRANSACTION
Small steps are still progress.
When ready to receive, begin with an amount you can afford to lose. Check the asset and network, then verify the address on your signer before sharing it with the sender. Confirmation times vary; a pending transaction is not necessarily a failed one.
For sending, check the account, recipient, amount, and variable network fee. Verify recipient and amount again on your signer. If anything differs—even one character—cancel and investigate. Never let urgency or promises of guaranteed returns make you skip checks.
05 — WHEN YOU’RE READY
Explore features one at a time.
Ledger Live may offer buying, swapping, staking, or third-party services depending on your location, assets, and app version. Outside providers may set separate fees, eligibility rules, and risks. Availability does not mean an investment is suitable or guarantee an outcome.
Before using a feature, check its provider, terms, fees, and whether an action can be undone. If uncertain, explore in read-only mode and consult official documentation. You need not transact on your first day.
06 — YOUR SECURITY CHECKLIST
Protect the recovery phrase. Always.
Your recovery phrase can restore access to your accounts. Anyone who gets it may control the associated assets. Write it down only during legitimate setup and store it privately offline. Never photograph it, save it to cloud storage, email it, or share it—including with someone claiming to be Ledger support.
No support agent, giveaway, security check, or update should ask you to enter the phrase online or tell it to another person. Ignore unsolicited urgent links. Keep your PIN private, use official downloads, and verify details on your signer. If exposed, seek help through Ledger’s official support resources immediately.
07 — TROUBLESHOOTING
Pause, verify, then continue.
If an account is missing or a balance looks unexpected, check Ledger’s official status and help pages, your connection, and app version. Never install support software from a stranger or share an open account screen. For a pending transaction, use a trusted block explorer reached independently.
Self-custody starts with slowing down: use official sources and verify details before approving. You remain responsible for your phrase and decisions. Visit Ledger Support for current product guidance.
Independent educational content. This page is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or an official support resource of Ledger. Ledger and Ledger Live are trademarks of their respective owner. Always verify downloads and instructions directly with Ledger.