How to Back Up Your Wallet with Ledger Live Desktop

Backing up your crypto wallet is one of the most critical steps to ensuring the safety of your digital assets. If you use Ledger Live Desktop with a Ledger hardware wallet, you already benefit from world-class security. But even the most secure device can’t protect your assets if you lose your recovery phrase or fail to back up your wallet properly.

This guide walks you through how to securely back up your wallet using Ledger Live Desktop and your Ledger device—so you stay protected even in the event of theft, damage, or loss.

🔐 Why Wallet Backup Matters

Unlike traditional bank accounts, cryptocurrency wallets don’t come with a password reset option. If you lose your device and your backup, your funds are permanently inaccessible.

Backing up your wallet ensures that you:

Can restore your wallet if your Ledger device is lost or stolen
Maintain access to your assets from any compatible Ledger device
Avoid total loss of your crypto funds

Let’s break down the backup process step by step.

🧱 Step 1: Understand What You’re Backing Up

Ledger hardware wallets use a BIP39 recovery phrase—a set of 24 words generated when you set up the device. This phrase is your wallet. It gives full access to your assets.

Important: The backup for your Ledger wallet is not stored in Ledger Live or in the cloud—it is entirely offline, stored only in your handwritten 24-word recovery phrase.

💡 Step 2: Create Your Backup During Setup

When setting up your Ledger device for the first time using Ledger Live Desktop, you’ll be prompted to:

Initialize the device as new
Generate and write down your 24-word recovery phrase
Confirm the phrase by selecting each word in order on the device

🔒 Tips:

Write down the phrase using the Recovery Sheet provided with your Ledger box
Use a pen (not digital devices) to avoid exposing the words to online risks
Never take a screenshot or store the phrase in a cloud service, email, or computer

This is your only backup. If your Ledger device breaks or is lost, this phrase is the only way to recover your funds.

🧾 Step 3: Store Your Recovery Phrase Securely

Where and how you store your recovery phrase is as important as writing it down correctly.

✅ Best Practices:

Store it offline in a secure, dry, and fireproof location
Consider using metal backup plates (like Cryptosteel or Billfodl) for durability
Keep the phrase private—never share it with anyone
Consider storing two copies in separate physical locations (e.g., home and bank safety deposit box)

If someone gains access to your 24 words, they can steal all your assets—no questions asked.

🔄 Step 4: Test Your Backup (Optional but Recommended)

Once you’ve written down your 24-word phrase, you can test it by restoring it to a second Ledger device or a new one (if you have it). This is optional but ensures your backup works.

Select “Restore from recovery phrase” on a second Ledger device
Enter your 24 words in order
Connect to Ledger Live and verify your portfolio loads correctly

✅ If your accounts reappear in Ledger Live after syncing, your backup works perfectly.

🧪 Step 5: Periodically Verify Your Backup

Every few months, do a quick check to:

Ensure the recovery phrase is still legible
Confirm you have all 24 words in the correct order
Check that your storage location remains safe (no water damage, mold, fire risk)

🛡️ Never re-enter your recovery phrase on your computer or online. The only safe place to input the phrase is directly into a Ledger device during recovery.

🚫 What Not to Do When Backing Up

Avoid these common—and risky—backup mistakes:

MistakeRisk💻 Storing phrase on computer/phoneVulnerable to malware, hackers☁️ Saving phrase in cloud or emailEasy target for phishing📸 Taking a photo of the phraseMetadata and cloud sync risks🧾 Writing it on paper without protectionFire/water damage, theft risk🙅‍♂️ Not writing it down at allIrrecoverable loss of funds

💡 Bonus: Consider Using a Passphrase

For advanced users, Ledger devices support an optional 25th word passphrase, which acts as an additional layer of protection.

You set a custom word or phrase during setup
Without this extra word, your wallet can’t be accessed—even with the 24-word phrase
This feature allows hidden wallets for added privacy

⚠️ Be careful: Lose the passphrase, and you lose access to that wallet. Make sure you back it up separately.

🔄 What If You Lose Your Recovery Phrase?

Unfortunately, if you lose your 24-word phrase and your Ledger device, there is no way to recover your crypto. Ledger does not store any user recovery data.

That’s why this backup process is not optional—it’s essential.

📌 Summary: Backup Checklist

✅ Write down your 24-word phrase during setup
✅ Store it offline in a secure location
✅ Use a fire/waterproof container or metal backup if possible
✅ Consider making a second copy and storing it elsewhere
✅ Never store your phrase digitally
✅ Test the backup (if possible)
✅ Periodically check its safety and readability

🚀 Take Full Ownership of Your Crypto

Backing up your wallet with Ledger Live Desktop and a Ledger device is the most secure way to manage your crypto. While the process takes a few extra minutes, it gives you total self-custody and peace of mind.

Your crypto is only as safe as your backup—take control today.