About Ledger Live — Setup, security, and best practices
Ledger Live pairs with Ledger hardware devices (such as the Ledger Nano X and Nano S Plus) to provide a secure, user-friendly interface. The core security model ensures that private keys remain inside the hardware device, and all transactions must be approved using the device’s physical buttons. Ledger Live facilitates key lifecycle tasks: initializing devices, generating recovery phrases, installing coin apps, updating firmware, and exporting transaction history for accounting.
When setting up Ledger Live for the first time, download the official version from ledger.com/ledger-live. Verify signatures or checksums where provided. During onboarding, create a PIN and record your recovery phrase on the provided recovery sheet — ideally on a durable, offline medium. Ledger recommends keeping backups in secure, geographically-separated locations. Do not photograph or store the recovery phrase digitally.
Ledger Live supports a broad ecosystem of coins and tokens. You can install or uninstall app modules on the device to manage available assets. The Suite-like catalog inside Ledger Live makes it straightforward to add support for new chains; however, you should always confirm compatibility details and follow any chain-specific instructions before performing advanced operations. For developers and power users, Ledger Live exposes advanced features and logging to help integrate the device into broader workflows, including multisig setups and cold-signing procedures.
Operational security tips: update firmware only when you initiate and from official sources, verify firmware fingerprints if provided, read transaction details displayed on the device before signing, and prefer short-lived session tokens for hosted services. For custodial or team-based usage, combine Ledger hardware with governance workflows: role separation, multisig policies, and periodic recovery drills can mitigate human error and insider risk.
Finally, always stay vigilant against phishing. Bookmark official Ledger pages and never follow unsolicited links to download installers. Ledger Support will never ask for your recovery phrase. If in doubt about a download or message, consult the official site or the help center for confirmation.