Ledger Nano S Manual: The Complete, Safe Setup & Usage Guide

Safety First: Golden Rules

• Never type your 24-word recovery phrase on a computer or phone. It must only ever be written offline and confirmed on the device.
• Verify every address on the device screen before receiving or sending.
• Keep multiple backups of the recovery phrase (paper or metal), stored in separate physical locations.
• Update Ledger Live and device firmware when prompted in-app.
• Use a hardware signer for DeFi and limit token approvals; revoke unused approvals regularly.

Unboxing & Genuine Check

1. Inspect packaging; do not use the device if it looks tampered with.
2. Connect the Nano S via USB and install Ledger Live on your computer.
3. In Ledger Live, run the Genuine Check to verify the secure element and device authenticity.

Tip: Genuine devices generate the recovery phrase on the device. If a device arrives with a preprinted phrase, do not use it.

First Setup: PIN & Recovery Seed

Set a Strong PIN

Choose a 6–8 digit PIN that is hard to guess. This protects against physical access.

Write Down the 24-Word Recovery Phrase

• Write the words by hand on two separate cards or on a metal backup plate.
• Never take photos or store the seed digitally.
• Confirm the words on the device when prompted (do not confirm on the computer).

Optional: Name Your Accounts

As you create accounts later, use clear labels such as “Long-term BTC”, “DeFi ETH”, or “Test Wallet”.

Ledger Live: Installing Coin Apps & Accounts

Install Coin Apps

Open the Manager tab in Ledger Live and install the coin apps you need (e.g., Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana). The Nano S has limited storage, but removing an app does not remove the keys; you can reinstall later when needed.

Add Accounts

1. Go to Accounts → Add account, select a coin, and follow the prompts.
2. Ledger Live will derive the public addresses from your on-device private keys.
3. Create multiple accounts per chain if you want (e.g., separate ETH accounts for savings vs. dApps).

Recommended Display Formats

• BTC: bech32 (bc1…) addresses for lower fees and modern compatibility.
• ETH/EVM: the usual 0x… format; tokens live under the same account as contracts.

Receiving & Sending Crypto (Address Verification)

Receive

1. In Ledger Live, choose Receive → pick the account.
2. Verify the full address on the device screen. Only share/copy it if it matches exactly.
3. For first-time transfers, send a small test amount before the full sum.

Send

1. Paste the destination address and set a fee (sat/vB for BTC, gas/priority for EVM networks).
2. Confirm on the device—check the amount and recipient shown on the Nano S screen.
3. Track confirmations in Ledger Live with the transaction hash.

Withdrawing From an Exchange

When you buy crypto on a centralized venue, withdraw to your own custody. For example, you can purchase on BITGET or BYBIT, then withdraw to your verified Ledger address. Always choose the correct network (e.g., BTC → Bitcoin, ETH → ERC-20).

Firmware Updates & Storage Tips

• Ledger Live will notify you when a new firmware is available. Updating does not erase your keys, but have your recovery phrase handy before updating.
• If storage is full, uninstall seldom-used coin apps; your accounts remain accessible after reinstalling the app later.
• Use official cables/ports; avoid untrusted USB hubs when updating firmware.

Optional Passphrase (25th Word)

A passphrase creates an additional, hidden account set. It is powerful for privacy but risky if mismanaged.

• Only use it if you fully understand it. Losing the passphrase means losing access to those hidden accounts even if you still have the 24 words.
• Document the passphrase offline with the same rigor as the seed.
• Practice restoring on a spare device with a small balance before relying on it.

Using Ledger with DeFi, NFTs & dApps

Browser Wallet or WalletConnect

Open the relevant on-device app (e.g., Ethereum), then connect to your dApp via a browser wallet that supports Ledger as a hardware signer or via WalletConnect. If a dApp requires it, enable blind signing temporarily and disable it afterward.

Token Approvals

• Grant limited allowances rather than unlimited approvals.
• Periodically revoke old allowances with a trusted token permissions tool.

NFTs

When minting or transferring NFTs, verify the contract and recipient on the device. Test with small amounts first on unfamiliar dApps.

Backups & Disaster Recovery

Backup Strategy

• Keep at least two geographically separate backups of the 24 words (paper + steel recommended).
• Consider a sealed envelope or a safe; avoid cloud storage or photos.

Restoring Your Wallet

1. On a new Nano S, choose Restore from recovery phrase.
2. Enter the 24 words on the device (never on a computer).
3. Reinstall coin apps in Ledger Live and resync accounts; your balances will reappear.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

• “App not open” or device not recognized: open the correct coin app; try a different USB cable/port; update Ledger Live.
• Address mismatch: cancel immediately and re-verify on device; ensure you’re on the correct network.
• Firmware update fails: close other USB apps, use a direct port, reboot the device, then retry from Ledger Live.
• Lost/stolen device: your funds remain safe; obtain a new device and restore from the recovery phrase.

Printable Checklists

Quick Setup Checklist

• Genuine Check passed
• PIN set (6–8 digits)
• 24-word seed written twice, stored separately
• Ledger Live installed & updated
• Coin apps installed; accounts named
• Test receive + test send completed

Ongoing Security Checklist

• Verify every address on device
• Revoke unused token approvals quarterly
• Keep firmware & Ledger Live up to date
• Store backups offline; consider a metal seed
• Practice a restoration drill with a small amount

FAQ: Ledger Nano S Manual

Does uninstalling a coin app delete my funds?

No. Uninstalling removes the app, not your private keys. Reinstall the app anytime to access the same accounts.

Is it safe to use Ledger with DeFi?

Yes—if you verify every transaction on the device, use limited token approvals, and revoke old approvals regularly.

What if I forget my PIN?

Reset the device and restore from your 24-word recovery phrase. Without the phrase, funds are unrecoverable.

Should I enable the 25th word (passphrase)?

Only if you fully understand it and can store it safely. Losing the passphrase permanently locks the hidden accounts.

Can I buy crypto and withdraw directly to my Ledger?

Yes. Buy on a trusted exchange such as BITGET or BYBIT and withdraw to your verified Ledger address on the correct network.

Start Safely: One CTA

Ready to practice secure self-custody? Buy a small amount of crypto on a reputable exchange, then withdraw to your verified Ledger address to test your setup.

Buy on BITGET → withdraw to your Ledger

Prefer another venue? Explore BYBIT. (We keep external partner links to a maximum of two, as requested.)