In the world of decentralized finance, **self-custody** is the paramount principle. Your Ledger hardware device, paired with its companion desktop and mobile application, offers the ultimate security fortress for your digital portfolio. This guide provides a secure, step-by-step path to accessing, synchronizing, and managing your crypto and non-fungible tokens (NFTs) without ever compromising your most critical asset: your **Secret Recovery Phrase**.
The application is designed as a secure **gateway**—it allows you to view your balances, initiate transactions, and interact with the Web3 ecosystem, while your private keys remain safely offline within your hardware device. Mastering this connection is key to becoming your own bank.
Before proceeding, ensure you have completed the fundamental security checks. The integrity of your digital assets depends on these initial steps being performed correctly.
Always download the management application exclusively from the **official company website**. Never trust third-party sources or links from unsolicited electronic correspondence. Verify the application's digital signature after installation to confirm authenticity. This step prevents potential exposure to malicious, counterfeit software.
Your Ledger hardware device must be **initialized** with a **PIN code** and its unique, corresponding **Secret Recovery Phrase** (the 24 words) securely backed up. Never digitally photograph, type, or store this phrase on any internet-connected device. This phrase is the master key to your digital wealth and should only be recorded physically and stored in a secure, fireproof location.
Ensure your Ledger device's internal software is running the latest **firmware version**. This is managed directly through the desktop application's 'My Ledger' section and is essential for maintaining optimal security and compatibility with new features and digital assets.
Accessing your portfolio is a two-part process: launching the software and establishing a secure communication link with your hardware device.
Start the desktop or mobile companion application. On launch, the software performs a local verification check. Since the application does not rely on traditional centralized authentication methods, you won't need to provide a universal password or personal electronic identifier.
Using the supplied **USB cable** (or Bluetooth for compatible mobile devices), connect your Ledger hardware signer to your computer. Enter your device's **PIN code** on the device itself to unlock its secure chip. The companion application will then detect the secure hardware.
Once the device is securely linked and unlocked, the application will **synchronize** with the public blockchain networks. This action reads your current balances and transaction history. Your private keys never leave the hardware device; the application is simply an interface displaying the data associated with your public addresses.
With a secure connection established, you can now utilize the full suite of portfolio management tools within the secure console.
Navigate to the 'Accounts' section and select 'Add Account.' Install the necessary asset application (e.g., Bitcoin, Ethereum) onto your Ledger device via the 'My Ledger' manager, then proceed to add the corresponding account within the companion app. Repeat this for all digital assets you manage.
When sending assets or interacting with decentralized services (dApps), you will initiate the transaction in the application, but the **final approval** must be made on your Ledger device. The device's secure screen will display the critical details—the recipient address and the amount—allowing you to verify and confirm the transaction by pressing the physical buttons. This process is called **Clear Signing** and prevents blind, malicious contract execution.
To conclude your session, simply close the companion application and **disconnect your hardware signer** from the computer. For added security, you can lock your device by entering an incorrect PIN three times, which forces a secure reset and requires the PIN for the next session. Your funds remain protected by your offline Secret Recovery Phrase, regardless of the application's status.