Ledger Wallet Download: Computer, Phone and First Run
Ledger wallet download and install steps are the same in spirit on every platform: get Ledger Live from an official source, open it, and connect your Ledger device. This article lists the steps for desktop and mobile, explains how the device and the app work together, and shows how to deal with the most common problems. It is informational and not affiliated with Ledger.
How a Ledger Wallet Download Works With Your Device
Ledger Live is the free companion app for Ledger hardware wallets. It does not hold your keys. Understanding the split makes each installation step easier to follow.
What stays on the device
Private keys are generated and stored on the Secure Element of your Ledger device and stay offline. The 24-word recovery phrase is created on the device during setup, and every outgoing transaction has to be checked and physically confirmed on the device screen.
What the app does on your computer or phone
The app shows your accounts and portfolio, installs coin apps onto the device, and prepares sends and receives. It also gives you access to Buy, Sell, Swap and Earn, the staking feature for some coins through providers. Earn rewards are not guaranteed and vary.
What the app leaves out
It has no cloud account, username or server password, and it does not log you in with SMS, e-mail or a 2FA code. The only « login » is an optional password lock on that computer or phone, plus the PIN on the device.
Install Steps on a Computer
Desktop versions exist for Windows, macOS and Linux. All of them connect to your device by USB.
Windows
- Type ledger.com into your browser and open the page for the app.
- Choose the Windows version and save the installer.
- Run the installer and follow the on-screen instructions. If Windows shows a warning, do not bypass it. Delete the file and get it again from ledger.com.
- Open the app and connect your device with a USB cable.
macOS
- Open ledger.com and choose the macOS version. The app is not in the Mac App Store, so a store listing for it is not the official route.
- Open the downloaded file and follow the instructions to install the app.
- Launch the app and connect your device with a USB cable.
Linux
- Open ledger.com and choose the Linux version.
- Follow the instructions on the page for running the app.
- Connect your device by USB and open the app.
Check the current system requirements for your computer on ledger.com before you begin, since they change between releases.
Install Steps on a Phone
The mobile app is available for iOS and Android. It works with your device over Bluetooth where supported.
iPhone
- Open the Apple App Store on your phone.
- Search for the app and check that the publisher is Ledger.
- Install it, open it and follow the prompts to pair your device.
Android
- Open Google Play and check that the listing is published by Ledger.
- Install the app and open it.
- Pair your device by Bluetooth with a Nano X (and, where Ledger supports it, newer devices).
An Android APK should only come from ledger.com, and never from third-party APK sites or links shared by other people.
First Run: Setting Up the Device
When you connect a new device, the app and the device guide you through setup together.
Choose your PIN on the device
You pick the PIN on the device itself. It protects the device if someone else gets hold of it.
Write down the recovery phrase from the device screen
The device shows your 24 words one after another. Copy them onto paper or metal, in order, and keep them offline. Do not photograph them, type them into a note or cloud file, or save them anywhere digital. Ledger Live will never ask you to enter your 24-word recovery phrase.
Install coin apps and add accounts
Once setup is done, install the coin apps you need onto the device through the app, then add your accounts. When you receive crypto, check that the address in the app matches the one on the device screen.
Update the firmware through the app
If an update is offered, install it through Ledger Live, in My Ledger. There is no separate firmware file to download. Follow the prompts on the screen and the device, and do not disconnect during the update.
When Something Does Not Work
Most issues are simple and have a safe fix.
The app does not detect the device
Use a good USB cable, try another port, unlock the device with your PIN and reopen the app. Do not install extra drivers or bridge software, because Ledger Live does not need any. If the problem continues, contact Ledger Support through ledger.com.
The installer is blocked or flagged
Do not turn off your antivirus or other protection and do not look for a way around the warning. Delete the file and get the app again directly from ledger.com. If a warning still appears for a file from ledger.com, contact Ledger Support.
You forgot the app password lock
Reinstall Ledger Live and reconnect your device. The lock only covers the app on that computer or phone, and your funds are not affected.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which devices can I connect after installing?
Nano S Plus, Nano X, Ledger Flex and Ledger Stax. The original Nano S is discontinued, although existing devices still work.
Can I install on both a computer and a phone?
Yes. Each installation should come from an official source, and your accounts are read from the device when you connect it.
Does the desktop app work over Bluetooth?
No. Desktop connects by USB. Bluetooth is used only between a Nano X (and, where Ledger supports it, newer devices) and the mobile app.
Do I need an account to sign in?
No. There is no Ledger Live account, username or e-mail login. An optional password lock and the device PIN are all there is.
How do I back up my wallet?
Your backup is the 24-word recovery phrase written down offline. There is no wallet backup file that protects funds. Ledger Recover is an optional paid subscription described on ledger.com.
Can I restore an old wallet during installation?
Yes, but restoring happens on the device itself. The app and any website must never be given your recovery phrase.