Ledger Nano basic use

[bkelly7769]

I purchased a Ledger Nano S, initialized it, wrote down the keys.  I searched for instructions on how to use it.  They say to enter the pin. Did that.  Then start the app.
What app?
I installed the Chrome plug in but there is nothing displayed in my Chrome dialog to start.
I can get to the place to add and remove code for the various types of crypt currencies.
I see nothing that leads to:  What is in my wallet? Or how to put coins in it.
Where are are some good instructions on putting this device to work?

[Nrcewker]

1.
CONNECT YOUR LEDGER NANO S
Plug your Nano S with the USB cable on a computer, and follow the instructions on the embedded small screen. You can choose to create a new wallet, or import a Bitcoin account or an Ethereum account. Whatever your selection, you just need to observe the on-screen instructions all along the process, selecting and validating with the two buttons above the display.

2.
CHOOSE A PIN CODE
Choose and memorize your four-digit PIN code that will be requested each time you connect your Nano S. Confirm this PIN code and be careful to remember it: 3 wrong successive PIN codes will reset your Nano S.

3.
BACKUP YOUR RECOVERY PHRASE
Copy on the “Recovery sheet” supplied in the box the 24 words in order of appearance. This step is really important to guarantee you can recover anytime your wallet in case of loss or theft. You won’t be able to finish the configuration without confirming you copied the 24 words by selecting some of them as requested. Keep your “Recovery sheet” in a safe place.

4.
INSTALL LEDGER APPS
Once you’ve seen the mention: “Your device is now ready”, your Nano S is configured. Now you just have to install the Ledger Apps on your computer to use your wallet. In your Chrome or Chromium 50+ browser, download for free the Ledger Wallet Bitcoin Chrome app or the Ledger Wallet Ethereum Chrome app. You’ll find these management interfaces on the Apps page. This apps get installed in few seconds, and the upgrades are free.

5.
YOUR NANO S IS READY TO BE USED
Now you can use your Nano S with your Chrome apps on any computer, even a compromised one, to send or receive payments. Each transaction will be verified on the embedded display, and validated with buttons.

or you may see
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RccX3bUpSkI

[bob123]

I installed the Chrome plug in but there is nothing displayed in my Chrome dialog to start.

What exactly did you install? You need the "Ledger Manager" application [1].
This app is used to install applications onto your nano s device.

Additionally you need a wallet software to access your nano s.
To access your BTC wallet you need the "Ledger Wallet Bitcoin" application [2].


First open the ledger manager app and install wallets onto your nano s.
Afterwards open the chrome wallet application and connect your nano s.
Now you will be able to access/use your wallet.



[1] https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/ledger-manager/beimhnaefocolcplfimocfiaiefpkgbf
[2] https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/ledger-wallet-bitcoin/kkdpmhnladdopljabkgpacgpliggeeaf

[HCP]

I purchased a Ledger Nano S, initialized it, wrote down the keys.  I searched for instructions on how to use it.  They say to enter the pin. Did that.  Then start the app.
What app?
I installed the Chrome plug in but there is nothing displayed in my Chrome dialog to start.
I can get to the place to add and remove code for the various types of crypt currencies.
I see nothing that leads to:  What is in my wallet? Or how to put coins in it.
Where are are some good instructions on putting this device to work?

There are TWO components to using the Ledger Nano S...

First, there are Chrome "Apps" that you need to install (as per bob123's post)... You then access these by going to the list of "Apps" in your browser (chrome://apps/)

Then, there are "wallet apps" that are on your Ledger device itself... once you've connected it and put in your PIN, you'll see a number of "wallet apps" listed on the screen like Bitcoin, Bitcoin Cash, Ethereum etc... These are installed/uninstalled using the "Ledger Manager" CHROME app.

Once you have the "wallet apps" installed to the Ledger device, you shut down the Manager... and start the "Ledger Wallet Bitcoin" CHROME app. It should open up a window saying you need to connect your ledger device.

You then, connect the ledger device, enter your PIN and then select the "wallet app" for the coin you want to use... on the ledger device!


There are a bunch of videos on YouTube that show some of the basics... This one is quite comprehensive (covers everything from initialisation to installing Chrome Apps and wallet apps on device): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GjDBz1Fs7JE

[bkelly7769]

I replied to this thread but my post did not appear, probably I did something wrong.

This is not working well and there is too much to describe.  Making it simple.
I open the link from Bob123 in a new tab and it has Launch App.  Click that. It opens the app that displays:

To begin connect your Ledger Wallet. 

It is connected, my pin entered, pin accepted, and there it sits.

The Ledger displays:  “Use wallet to view accounts”  Pressing both buttons does nothing.  Pressing left button did nothing.  Pressing right button scrolled through: Settings, About, and Quit App.

Meanwhile the screen on my computer does nothing.

Open the second link from Bob123 in a new tab.  It opens a page with a popup named Ledger Wallet bitcoin with a Launch App button.  It changed the screen the show what looks like a dozen more apps I can install.  After a few more clicks I get to the same app that again displays:
To begin, connect your Ledge Wallet.

I tried that Youtube video but was going quite slow and only a few minutes in it broke to a long commercial. 

[HCP]

This is not working well and there is too much to describe.  Making it simple.
I open the link from Bob123 in a new tab and it has Launch App.  Click that. It opens the app that displays:

To begin connect your Ledger Wallet. 

So far, so good... this is the "waiting" state of "Ledger Manager" CHROME app (you use this app for installing/removing wallets on the device.)

It is connected, my pin entered, pin accepted, and there it sits.

The Ledger displays:  “Use wallet to view accounts”  Pressing both buttons does nothing.  Pressing left button did nothing.  Pressing right button scrolled through: Settings, About, and Quit App.

Meanwhile the screen on my computer does nothing.

If you see "Use Wallet to view accounts", then you have "opened" one of the wallet apps on the device and that means you have gone one step too far on the Ledger Device for the "Ledger Manager" CHROME APP to work...

Scroll to "Quit App" and select it by pressing both buttons. It should exit back to the list of wallet apps you have installed... and you should get to the screen with all the wallet apps you can install/remove. This is ONLY needed if you need/want to change which wallet apps (aka COINS) you want to use with your device.

If you are happy with the list of coins available (as displayed on the Ledger Device), then shut down Ledger Manager... and disconnect your Ledger Device... then do the following steps:

1. Click here: https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/ledger-wallet-bitcoin/kkdpmhnladdopljabkgpacgpliggeeaf
2. Click the "Launch App" button
3. You will see the "Ledger Wallet Bitcoin" screen that says "To begin, connect and unlock your Ledger Wallet":


4. Connect your Ledger device via USB
5. Enter your PIN
6. Scroll to "Bitcoin" on the Ledger Device:


7. Select "Bitcoin" by clicking both buttons on the Ledger device. Device will say "Use wallet to view accounts":
8. Ledger Wallet Bitcoin (on computer screen) should prompt you for "Bitcoin" or "Bitcoin Cash", select "Bitcoin":


9. Ledger Wallet Bitcoin should prompt you to select "Legacy" or "SegWit":


10. Make your choice (I'd suggest "SegWit", unless you have a good reason to stick with Legacy) and your wallet should start to "Sync":



11. After a brief wait, your new (empty) wallet should open up:

I tried that Youtube video but was going quite slow and only a few minutes in it broke to a long commercial. 

Install an ad blocker

Or maybe try searching YouTube for other videos on Nano S?

[Adriano2010]

I have a question about ledger nano transaction. Example: i will configure ledger nano and create a new wallet and i send bitcoin to address i get from ledger nano , i click confirm that i accept transaction. Now if i want to send again bitcoin to address i get from ledger nano do i need to connect every time ledger nano to computer to confirm that i accept transaction or not?

I don't have yet a ledger nano s but i want to buy.

[edhp]

I have a question about ledger nano transaction. Example: i will configure ledger nano and create a new wallet and i send bitcoin to address i get from ledger nano , i click confirm that i accept transaction. Now if i want to send again bitcoin to address i get from ledger nano do i need to connect every time ledger nano to computer to confirm that i accept transaction or not?

I don't have yet a ledger nano s but i want to buy.

if you know the address, you don't have to be connected to receive btc in your nano ledger address.

[Adriano2010]

I have a question about ledger nano transaction. Example: i will configure ledger nano and create a new wallet and i send bitcoin to address i get from ledger nano , i click confirm that i accept transaction. Now if i want to send again bitcoin to address i get from ledger nano do i need to connect every time ledger nano to computer to confirm that i accept transaction or not?

I don't have yet a ledger nano s but i want to buy.

if you know the address, you don't have to be connected to receive btc in your nano ledger address.

Thanks for answer. I will buy one and if i don't know something i will ask here.

[bob123]

I have a question about ledger nano transaction. Example: i will configure ledger nano and create a new wallet and i send bitcoin to address i get from ledger nano , i click confirm that i accept transaction. Now if i want to send again bitcoin to address i get from ledger nano do i need to connect every time ledger nano to computer to confirm that i accept transaction or not?

You don't really have to confirm an incoming transaction.
What you refere to is (probably) the verify procedure of your displayed 'receive' address.
This step is necessary to make sure no malware is 'manipulating' the screen.
If you confirm the two addresses (computer screen + on nano s) are the same (with pressing the button), you can be sure this address has been really generated by your nano s device.
You will have to confirm every newly generated address to make sure its properly generated by your nano s.

Additionally you have to confirm outgoing transactions.
But you don't have to confirm/accept transactions. Just verify your receive-address, give it to someone and receive coins.

[Rath_]

Thanks for answer. I will buy one and if i don't know something i will ask here.

Why do you want to buy Ledger Nano S? Is it because of huge altcoin support? I have owned Ledger and had some connectivity problems recently. Unlike Trezor, you are not able to connect to other Bitcoin node which means that if their infrastructure is overloaded, you won't be able to use their dedicated app (although Electrum should work fine).

Now if i want to send again bitcoin to address i get from ledger nano do i need to connect every time ledger nano to computer to confirm that i accept transaction or not?

Nobody has mentioned that you don't have to accept incoming transaction because everything is done on blockchain. Ledger is only responsible for storing your private keys which are later used to prove that you are the owner of certain address. Someone sends a transaction, miners confirm it and you can finally spend it whenever you become online.

[Adriano2010]

Thanks for answer. I will buy one and if i don't know something i will ask here.

Why do you want to buy Ledger Nano S? Is it because of huge altcoin support? I have owned Ledger and had some connectivity problems recently. Unlike Trezor, you are not able to connect to other Bitcoin node which means that if their infrastructure is overloaded, you won't be able to use their dedicated app (although Electrum should work fine).

Now if i want to send again bitcoin to address i get from ledger nano do i need to connect every time ledger nano to computer to confirm that i accept transaction or not?

Nobody has mentioned that you don't have to accept incoming transaction because everything is done on blockchain. Ledger is only responsible for storing your private keys which are later used to prove that you are the owner of certain address. Someone sends a transaction, miners confirm it and you can finally spend it whenever you become online.

I will use ledger nano for bitcoin but also for Ethereum and  Litecoin. You mean that ledger nano s is connected to a single Bitcoin node?

I didn't know that but i will not use everyday the hardware wallet , i will use it to store large sums of bitcoin and others altcoins.

[Rath_]

I will use ledger nano for bitcoin but also for Ethereum and  Litecoin. You mean that ledger nano s is connected to a single Bitcoin node?

I didn't know that but i will not use everyday the hardware wallet , i will use it to store large sums of bitcoin and others altcoins.

What I meant was that if you want to use dedicated Chrome app with your Ledger Nano S created by Ledger Team, you won't be able to use your own node for Bitcoin and altcoins. This is a huge drawback because their servers could become overloaded - it actually happened in the past and that was one of the reasons why I sold my Ledger Nano S. If you are going to store only Bitcoin, Ethereum and Litecoin then Trezor would be a great choice. It doesn't support as many altcoins as Ledger but its support is definitely great.

[bob123]

Nobody has mentioned that you don't have to accept incoming transaction because everything is done on blockchain.

Did you read the thread?

You don't really have to confirm an incoming transaction.

Ledger is only responsible for storing your private keys which are later used to prove that you are the owner of certain address.

I'd like to clarify this.
Ledger is a company. They are not responsible for storing any private keys. Ledger built the nano s (hardware wallet).
The private keys are stored on the device itself. Completely independent from ledger.
Additionally private keys arent used to prove the ownership of addresses.. they are used to sign transactions (UTXO's from the corresponding public key).

[Adriano2010]

Is there a possibility to set a passphrase on main PIN on ledger nano s?

https://support.ledgerwallet.com/hc/en-us/articles/115005214529-Advanced-Passphrase-options

[HCP]

Is there a possibility to set a passphrase on main PIN on ledger nano s?

https://support.ledgerwallet.com/hc/en-us/articles/115005214529-Advanced-Passphrase-options

In a word... No.

If you use the "Passphrase attached to PIN" option, you can only have TWO Pins, the "main" PIN and the 2nd PIN... and you can only assign a passphrase to the 2nd PIN. In effect this means that your Main PIN = Blank Passphrase, and 2nd PIN = Y0uR5uP3r53Cr3tP@55Phr@53

If you don't use the "Passphrase attached to PIN" option, you can have multiple passphrases (and multiple "hidden" wallets)... but then you have to enter them manually (which can be quite tedious on the Ledger)

[bkelly7769]

HCP wrote, in part, on 28 Feb:
1.   Click here: https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/ledger-wallet-bitcoin/kkdpmhnladdopljabkgpacgpliggeeaf
2. Click the "Launch App" button
3. You will see the "Ledger Wallet Bitcoin" screen that says "To begin, connect and unlock your Ledger Wallet":

Did 1, then for 2: When I click Launch App it opens a full screen display that states:
To begin, connect and unlock your Ledger Wallet.

It already is unlocked.  Ok, so unplug.  Windows plays the short few news saying a USB device was disconnected.  Plug it in and enter the PIN. After entering the PIN Windows plays a few notes indicating a USB device was connected.  Then nothing.
The Ledger is displaying Ethereum.  I can press the right button and toggle between Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, and Ripple. 
The computer screen does not change at all.
What might I do different?

[HCP]

You device needs to be connected, unlocked AND you also need to select one of the "coins" on your ledger device...

You say you have Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin and Ripple... so assuming you want to use BTC, use the left/right buttons to scroll through the list until "Bitcoin" is highlighted... and then "select" it by pushing both buttons at the same time:



Once you select it, you should see:



And the "Ledger Bitcoin Wallet" chrome app on your screen should ask if you want Bitcoin or Bitcoin Cash:



Make your choices, as appropriate, and then it will change to say:



and after a short wait, your wallet will open up and you can see your account(s) and balances and send/receive etc.

[bkelly7769]

Hello HCP,
Yes, I followed your instructions and achieved access.

I see you put quite a bit of effort into explaining very carefully and even posting pictures.  I thank you very much for your time and even more for the patience you have shown me.

Thank you very much for your time and patience.

Edit:
I managed to get myself in another loop that I cannot escape.  The app said there is a mandatory update so I attempted that.  Making this short, when I connect my Ledger with the app running, Leger tells me about the mandatory update and instructs me to hold the button next to the USB cable for five seconds.  I do that with no result.  There is no opportunity to enter the PIN.  I have unplugged it a few times, waited a minute, then tried again with the same results.

[HCP]

To put it into "update mode", you need uplug the device, then hold down the button (closest to the USB port) WHILE you plug the device in... count to 5 (still holding the button down)... then let the button go.

You should see it say "bootloader" (or possibly "update" if you don't have the latest firmware)

NOTE: do not have the "Ledger Bitcoin Wallet" chrome app open... you want to have the "Ledger Manager" chrome app open and waiting at the "To begin, connect your Ledger Wallet" screen.

You might also want to check this: https://youtu.be/pfuOWilWbVc?t=1m46s