Ledger Live — Quick, Secure, and Beginner-Friendly

This Ledger Live tutorial guides beginners through Ledger Live download, hardware wallet setup, private keys protection, backup & recovery, and safe management of Bitcoin, Ethereum and tokens. Ledger Live is the desktop and mobile companion app that connects to your Ledger Nano hardware wallet; this tutorial explains each step so you can use Ledger Live confidently and securely.

1. Ledger Live download & verification

Always download Ledger Live from the official Ledger website. Verifying the installer (checksum or signature) guards against tampered files. After Ledger Live download, install the app for your platform (Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS) and open it to begin the Ledger Live tutorial flow.

2. Connect your Ledger device

Connect your Ledger hardware wallet (Ledger Nano S, Nano S Plus, Nano X) using the supplied USB cable or Bluetooth (if supported). Ledger Live detects the device and walks you through initializing a new device or restoring an existing wallet from your recovery phrase.

Power on the Ledger device and connect it to your computer or phone.
Open Ledger Live and choose “Get Started.”
Follow on-screen instructions to create or restore a secure wallet.

3. Set PIN & secure your device

During setup you will set a PIN on the Ledger device. The PIN blocks unauthorized access to your Ledger hardware wallet. Choose a PIN you can remember but that is not easily guessable. Never share your PIN — the combination of device + PIN secures access to Ledger Live-managed accounts.

4. Backup & recovery — the recovery phrase

Ledger will generate a 24-word recovery phrase (your backup). This recovery phrase is the ultimate key to your crypto — write it down on the provided recovery card or a metal backup plate and store it offline. Do not take photos or store the recovery phrase digitally. Treat your recovery phrase as your master private key: anyone with it can restore your Ledger Live accounts.

5. Add accounts & manage assets

In Ledger Live you can add accounts for Bitcoin, Ethereum, and many other coins and tokens. Ledger Live shows balances, transaction history and portfolio overview. Use the App Catalog to install coin apps on your Ledger device when required and always follow official Ledger Live instructions for coin-specific steps.

6. Sending & receiving — confirm on-device

Compose transactions in Ledger Live but always verify the recipient address, amount and fees on your Ledger device screen. The device signs transactions locally — private keys never leave the hardware wallet. Confirming details on-device protects you from malware or address-replacement attacks on your host computer.

7. Security best practices

Keep Ledger Live and device firmware updated from official sources. Never share your recovery phrase, and beware of phishing sites and fake Ledger Live downloads. Use a strong PIN, keep multiple physical backups of your recovery phrase in separate secure locations, and consider a metal backup plate for long-term cold storage protection.

8. Ledger Live mobile & Bluetooth (Nano X)

Ledger Live mobile offers convenient access on the go. If you use Ledger Nano X, you can pair via Bluetooth for mobile management. Always confirm pairing requests on-device and avoid using public or untrusted Wi-Fi when transacting.

9. Troubleshooting & official support

If you encounter issues during Ledger Live tutorial steps, consult official Ledger support documentation and community resources. Avoid sharing recovery phrases or private keys with anyone, including support channels — Ledger support will never ask for your full recovery phrase.

Ledger Live download Official support