Welcome! This presentation explains how to get started with Ledger Live and your Ledger hardware wallet. Ledger Live is the official desktop and mobile companion app for Ledger hardware wallets. It lets you manage cryptocurrency accounts, check balances, send and receive assets, and install applications on your device while keeping your private keys offline and secure. This guide walks you step-by-step through the initial setup, daily use, and best practices to keep your crypto safe.
Getting your Ledger wallet out of the box
Unbox your Ledger hardware wallet and confirm the package is sealed and includes the device, a USB cable, and recovery sheets. Only obtain Ledger hardware from official channels. Do not use a wallet that appears tampered with or that was previously set up. Before powering the device, read the quick start leaflet and keep your recovery sheet handy — this is your responsibility to store safely.
Initial device setup
Power on the Ledger device and choose to create a new wallet. The device will display random words to form a recovery seed (typically 24 words). Write those words down on the provided recovery sheet exactly in order. Never store the recovery seed as a digital file or photograph. The seed is the ultimate backup: anyone with access to it can control your funds. The device will ask you to confirm words to verify accurate recording.
Install Ledger Live
Download Ledger Live from the official Ledger website. Install the desktop or mobile app and follow the guided onboarding. Ledger Live will prompt you to pair your device via USB or Bluetooth (for supported models). Approve the connection on the device screen to ensure that pairing is deliberate. Ledger Live communicates with the Ledger device to display accounts and facilitate transactions while the keys remain on the hardware.
Create and add accounts
Within Ledger Live, create accounts for the cryptocurrencies you wish to manage. Ledger Live supports many blockchains and tokens; add only the accounts you need. Each account created corresponds to addresses derived from your recovery seed and stored privately on the device. Syncing account balances requires a network connection but your private keys never leave the Ledger.
Receiving & sending funds
To receive crypto, open an account in Ledger Live and click Receive. Verify the receive address on the app and on the hardware device screen — they must match exactly. Share only this verified address with the sender. To send crypto, create a transaction in Ledger Live and approve the details. The final confirmation happens on the hardware device: review the recipient address and amount on the device screen before approving. This step prevents host-side malware from altering transactions.
Manage apps and firmware
Use Ledger Live to install or remove blockchain apps on your device as needed. Ledger periodically issues firmware updates to improve security — always update firmware using Ledger Live and confirm updates physically on your device. Only accept official updates; firmware updates initiated outside Ledger Live are risky.
Security best practices
Always keep your recovery seed offline and private. Treat it like cash or a legal document stored in a safe location. Use a strong, unique passphrase if you need an additional layer of protection, but understand that passphrase management is advanced: losing the passphrase means losing access. Beware phishing attempts: only use official websites and verify URLs carefully. Ledger staff will never ask you for your 24-word seed.