Secure Your Crypto Journey From Day One
Congratulations on choosing **Ledger** to secure your digital assets! Ledger Live is the companion application that acts as your secure portal to the world of decentralized finance (DeFi), allowing you to manage, send, receive, and stake your cryptocurrencies safely. This guide will walk you through the essential steps to set up your device and the desktop application securely and efficiently. **Security is paramount**, so follow each instruction carefully.
Your Ledger device, whether a **Nano S Plus** or a **Nano X**, is designed to keep your private keys isolated from your computer and the internet. Ledger Live's role is to provide a user-friendly interface to read the public blockchain data and communicate your transaction requests to your hardware device for secure signing.
Before launching the Ledger Live application, you must correctly set up your physical device.
Carefully **unbox your device**. Ensure the packaging has no signs of tampering (check the protective seals). Connect your Ledger Nano to your computer using the provided USB cable. The device will automatically power on.
You will be prompted to choose a **4 to 8-digit PIN code**. This code protects physical access to your device. Choose a complex number and confirm it. **Never share this PIN.** If you lose your device, your assets are safe, as the PIN prevents unauthorized use. Three incorrect attempts will reset the device to factory settings, requiring your Recovery Phrase for restoration.
Your device will display a sequence of **24 words**. This is your **Recovery Phrase** (sometimes called a seed phrase). **This phrase is the master key to your funds.**
Once the recovery phrase is confirmed, the device will display **"Your device is ready."** Your hardware is now secure and initialized.
Now that your Ledger Nano is set up, you can safely install the companion application.
Only download Ledger Live from the **official Ledger website**. Avoid third-party links or app stores not explicitly linked from the main site. Download the correct version for your operating system (Windows, macOS, or Linux).
Install and open the application. Select **"Initialize a new device"** (even if you've already completed the hardware steps). The application will guide you through a brief, mandatory checklist to ensure you understand the importance of your 24-word phrase and your PIN. This is a crucial security verification process.
The app will prompt you to **connect your Ledger Nano** and unlock it with your PIN. A secure connection is established, allowing the application to read your device's public key information. You will now be able to access the main Ledger Live dashboard.
The final steps involve setting up the accounts you need to start receiving and sending crypto.
On the left sidebar, navigate to **Manager**. Unlock your Ledger Nano and allow Ledger Live to access the Manager section on the device screen. Here, you will **install the applications (wallets)** for the specific cryptocurrencies you wish to manage (e.g., Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, etc.). You must have the corresponding app installed on your Ledger device to interact with that coin's account in Ledger Live.
Go to the **Accounts** section and click the **+ Add account** button. Select the coin you just installed the app for. Ledger Live will then connect to your device (make sure the corresponding app is open on the Nano) and search the blockchain to discover existing addresses or create a new one. **You must repeat this step for every cryptocurrency you wish to manage.**
To receive funds, select the account and click **Receive**. The app will generate a public address. **Crucially, you must verify this address on your Ledger Nano screen** before confirming it. Never trust an address only shown on your computer screen; malicious software could swap it. To send funds, create the transaction in Ledger Live, and then **sign the transaction on your Ledger Nano device** by manually confirming the details. This two-factor verification ensures security.
Maintaining security is an ongoing process. Keep these practices in mind:
By following these steps, you have successfully initialized your device and configured the Ledger Live application. You now hold the power of self-custody and the key to true digital asset ownership. Welcome to a safer, more secure crypto experience.