How to install the Bitcoin (BTC) app on Ledger? (App Manager)

Accessing the App Manager

1. Connect your Ledger device to a computer using the supplied USB cable.

2. Unlock the device by entering your PIN code using the side buttons.

3. Navigate to the Manager application by pressing both buttons simultaneously when “Manager” is highlighted on the screen.

4. Ensure Ledger Live is running and recognizes the connected device before proceeding.

5. Confirm that the firmware version displayed in Ledger Live matches the latest stable release for your device model.

Enabling Developer Mode (if required)

1. Open Settings on the Ledger device by pressing both buttons on the home screen until “Settings” appears.

2. Scroll to “Developer mode” using the right button and press both buttons to select it.

3. Toggle Developer mode to ON by pressing both buttons again when “Enable” is shown.

4. A warning message will appear—press both buttons to acknowledge and proceed.

5. Return to the Manager interface by navigating back through the menu or restarting the app.

Installing the Bitcoin App

1. In Ledger Live, click the Manager tab on the left sidebar.

2. Locate “Bitcoin” in the list of available apps—its icon displays a stylized “₿” symbol.

3. Click the Install button next to Bitcoin; the installation process begins immediately.

4. On the Ledger device screen, confirm the installation by pressing both buttons when prompted—this step may take up to 12 seconds.

5. Wait for the green checkmark to appear on the device screen and for Ledger Live to display “Installation successful.”

Verifying App Installation

1. Press both buttons on the Ledger home screen to return to the main menu.

2. Scroll down until “Bitcoin” appears as an installed app—its name appears in white text on a black background.

3. Select Bitcoin by pressing both buttons; the device will display “Bitcoin – Ready” if initialization completed correctly.

4. In Ledger Live, go to the Accounts tab and click “Add account”—Bitcoin should now appear as an available asset option.

5. Attempt to generate a receive address: navigate to Bitcoin > Receive > Verify address on device—each character must match exactly on screen.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: Why does the Ledger device freeze for several seconds during Bitcoin app installation?That delay occurs because the BOLOS operating system performs cryptographic signature verification and memory allocation internally—no user action is needed beyond initial confirmation.

Q2: Can I install Bitcoin on a Ledger device without internet access?No. The Manager interface requires active communication with Ledger Live, which fetches the app binary from Ledger’s secure servers over HTTPS.

Q3: What happens if I interrupt the installation mid-process?The device reverts to its prior state automatically. No firmware corruption occurs—the BOLOS architecture enforces atomic app installation.

Q4: Is the Bitcoin app compatible with SegWit and Taproot addresses?Yes. Ledger Live generates native SegWit (bech32) and Taproot (bc1p) addresses by default when creating new accounts, and validates them on-device.