Author｜Sangbi District Shi Editorial Team
Release |2026/11/09
Update｜2026/11/09

Ledger is a company that provides hardware wallets and crypto asset management software. Its hardware device is used to store keys and sign transactions, and is used with Ledger Wallet on a computer or mobile phone to query accounts, obtain payment addresses, and send transactions. The balance of crypto assets is recorded on the blockchain, and the device controls the keys required to operate the corresponding account.

When using it for the first time, you can complete four things in sequence, setting up the device, backing up recovery phrases, creating an on-chain account to be used, and then starting with small-amount currency collection and transfer.

Further reading:What is a hardware wallet? Cold wallet, key isolation and usage tutorial

What is the relationship between Ledger Wallet and Ledger Live?

Ledger Live has been renamed Ledger Wallet. The new name will be officially announced in October 2025, so Ledger Live may still appear in old tutorials, download file names, or some support pages.

The name functions as a Ledger hardware device storage key to display and confirm the content to be signed. The management application on the Ledger Wallet computer or mobile phone can add accounts, check balances, and prepare currencies on the transaction device. The App allows the hardware device to process the signature of a specific blockchain. For example, the corresponding address and asset balance of the account on the Bitcoin and Ethereum chains can be queried in the block browser.

After purchasing the hardware, you must also confirm whether the currency, blockchain and functions you want to use are supported. Some assets can be managed directly in Ledger Wallet, while some need to be operated through compatible third-party wallets.

What models of Ledger cold wallets are there?

As of this writing, the official comparison page lists Ledger Nano S Plus, Nano X, Nano Gen5, Flex and Stax. When choosing, you can first consider whether you mainly use a computer or a mobile phone, and whether you want to confirm transactions through buttons or a touch screen.

The main operating features of the model are suitable for comparison needs. Nano S Plus button operation, wired asset management through USB connection. Nano

Supported operating systems, mobile phone connection methods and currencies must still be compared with official compatibility information one by one. The purchase price in Taiwan will also be affected by shipping costs, exchange rates, taxes and package content. You can check the checkout total before placing an order.

Ledger initial setup tutorial

The first step is to download Ledger Wallet from the official entrance

Select the Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS or Android version from the download page of the Ledger official website, and then connect via USB or supported Bluetooth according to your model. The official setup process leads to checking the device, including Genuine Check.

Genuine Check uses cryptography to verify whether the secure components in the device are genuine. The official also stated that it cannot identify all physical stolen parts installed after leaving the factory, so the source of purchase, packaging and device abnormalities still need to be checked together.

The second step is to choose to create a new wallet or restore the existing wallet.

When creating a new account for the first time, you can follow the device instructions to select new device settings, set a PIN, and then the device will generate and display a 24-word secret recovery phrase. Copy the words in order offline and confirm the words on your device.

The PIN is used to unlock the device in your hand. The recovery phrase is used to reconstruct the corresponding key and account. Please keep them properly. The recovery phrase for new devices should be generated by the device when you configure it. If a written word or PIN is included in the package, you should confirm it with official support first.

If you are replacing or restoring the original hardware wallet, you can select restore on the new device and enter the original recovery phrase as instructed. If the purpose is to move the assets of the software wallet to a newly created Ledger account, first create a new Ledger wallet and then transfer it to the new address through on-chain transactions.

Further reading:What is the difference between a mnemonic phrase and a private key? Wallet backup, password and restore tutorial

The third step is to install the Currency App and add an account

Connect and unlock the device in Ledger Wallet, follow the application guidance to install the blockchain app you want to use, and then add the corresponding account. For example, to receive Bitcoin, you can first install the Bitcoin App and then add a Bitcoin account.

Take multi-chain tokens such as USDT as an example. First decide whether to use Ethereum, TRON or other supported networks, and then confirm how the network and token versions are managed. The coin names are the same, but you still need to use the correct on-chain address and payment network.

How to receive and transfer money on Ledger?

To receive coins, first confirm the address on the device

  1. Select the payment collection function and corresponding account in Ledger Wallet.
  2. Connect and unlock Ledger, and open the app of the chain as required.
  3. Compare your Ledger Wallet to the full address on your device screen.
  4. Select the same blockchain network on the sending platform and fill in the payment address and necessary information.
  5. First make a small test amount that meets the minimum amount of the sending platform, check the results on the chain and the wallet balance, and then process the remaining assets.

After the Ledger device is shut down, the address on the chain can still receive payments. The purpose of the startup connection is to display and confirm the address and sign subsequent transactions.

Transfer money, check the contents and confirm on the device

Select the sending account in Ledger Wallet, enter the payment address and quantity, and then check the network cost and expected delivery content. Connect to Ledger and open the corresponding app, confirm the address, amount and fee on the device screen, and then approve the signature. After the transaction is broadcast, the confirmation status on the chain can be viewed through the transaction hash.

Before sending tokens, you must also prepare the fee assets required by the network. For example, sending ERC-20 tokens in Ethereum usually requires ETH in the account to pay Gas. The details are subject to the network usage and transaction confirmation page.

What are the fees for using Ledger?

Hardware has a purchase cost, and on-chain transfers require payment for the network used. Coin buying, Swap or other services in Ledger Wallet may be provided by third parties, and the rates are calculated based on the service provider and the transaction confirmation page.

General account management and standard sending and receiving processes do not require first subscribing to Ledger Recover. Ledger Recover is another optional paid backup service. Applicable models, regions and terms can be found on the official website.

Ledger Security and Latest News

Ledger’s hardware design allows transaction confirmation to be completed on a dedicated device. During actual use, you still need to check the device display content and keep the recovery phrase. The recovery phrase should only be entered during the formal setup or restoration process of the hardware device, and should not be entered into a computer, mobile phone, website or customer service conversation. Official customer service will not ask for this set of words.

Ledger’s official statement updated on October 15, 2026 pointed out that some Southeast Asian resale channel devices were equipped with hardware stealing parts, and stated that it had asked Southeast Asian and Hong Kong distribution channels to suspend sales and strengthen return and inventory management rules. This also explains why in addition to checking the original safety components, we must also pay attention to the product acquisition and circulation process. If there is an abnormality in the installation or packaging, you can first check with official support.

On October 15, 2026, Ledger also released Ledger Atom. Officials say the product is still under development and is expected to be delivered in 2027. The schedule and specifications may still be adjusted. The initial setup process in this article is based on the current independent hardware signing device.

Ledger FAQ

Ledger is broken or lost, is the asset still there?

Asset balances are still recorded on the blockchain. If the recovery phrase is intact and the corresponding account's recovery conditions are met, access can be re-established on a compatible device. If additional Passphrase is used, correct passwords and settings are also required.

Further reading:What is Passphrase? Additional passwords for mnemonic phrases, hidden wallets and tutorials on how to use them

Can Ledger connect to MetaMask?

You can use the hardware wallet connection process supported by MetaMask, let MetaMask serve as the operating interface, and then Ledger confirms the signature. Choose to connect to a hardware wallet during operation. The account and connection method depend on MetaMask and device compatibility.

Further reading:Tutorial on connecting MetaMask to hardware wallets: Ledger and Trezor pairing, address retrieval and signing

If I delete the currency app on my device, will the balance disappear?

Balances are recorded on-chain. After removing the currency app, you can reinstall it as needed and use the same set of keys to operate the original account. When adding a new account, you should check the same link, address and restore settings.

official sources

*This article was compiled by the Sangbi District Editorial Team based on official information and public information. The content is for information and educational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice.

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