How to set up Ledger in Advanced Recovery

How to use advanced recovery mode on a Ledger Nano S using a 12 word seed phrase generated by MetaMask.

Warning

NEVER TAKE PICTURES OF YOUR SEED WORDS OR TYPE THEM INTO A COMPUTER KEYBOARD TO SAVE THEM IN A FILE. ALL DIGITAL COPIES OF YOUR SEED WORDS ARE CONSIDERED AT RISK TO BE RETRIEVED BY OTHERS.

Let’s Get Started

Step 1: Go to Ledger.com to order new device.  DO NOT PURCHASE ANYWHERE ELSE

Step 2: Plug in Ledger to computer using provided connecting cord.

Step 3: Go to Ledger.com/start

Step 4: Download Ledger Live

NOTE: There are 2 buttons on the Ledger Nano S. These 2 buttons are used to set up, program and confirm transactions. Left button scrolls left, Right button scrolls right  pressing both buttons at the same time is how you confirm your choice on the screen. 

Step 5: Begin setup by scrolling to the right on the Nano S and choose “Restore from Recovery Phrase”

Step 6: Create a PIN number and confirm by entering it a 2nd time.

Step 7: Once your PIN is set up, you will choose the number of words in your seed phrase that you are using to recover. (In this case, I am recovering a 12 word seed generated by MetaMask.

Step 8: Select word #1 and spell out the 1st word in your 12 word seed phrase. After a few letters are entered, a complete word will appear on the Ledger. If this is your word, press both buttons to confirm. If it is not your word, scroll to the right un til your word is displayed. Then press both buttons to confirm.

Step 9: Continue with step 7 until all 12 words have been correctly configured into the Ledger.

Step 10: Go back to Ledger Live on your PC and Log in

Step 11: Once in Ledger Live, Go to the Manager tab on the left column. Once you are in the manager, It will ask you to allow the Ledger manager on the device.

Step 12: Select the wallet app that you want to interact with. In this case, we are selecting Ethereum app.

Step 13: Disconnect and reconnect your Ledger at this time. Put in your PIN and you should see your Ethereum Public address on Ledger Live.

Step 14: (Optional) Create a passphrase in the Ledger to create a hidden wallet. You cannot use the passphrase function on a migrated seed phrase. A passphrase creates a new set of private keys and public addresses. However, you can add a passphrase to the same 12 word seed which is what creates the “hidden wallet”.

NOTE: In settings, there is an option where you can reset the device to factory settings. There’s also a second way to reset your Ledger and wipe it back to factory settings and that is to put the wrong PIN in 3 times. Your Nano S will revert to factory new.

Congratulations!🎉 You are now ready to connect your Ledger to a new instance of MetaMask.