> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://support.tao.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://support.tao.com/documentation/getting-started/adding-a-wallet/importing-an-existing-wallet/importing-a-wallet-using-a-ledger-device.md).

# Importing a Wallet Using a Ledger Device

## Add a Ledger Wallet

The TAO.com Chrome extension supports Ledger hardware wallets. When you add a Ledger account, your private keys stay on the Ledger device. The extension only reads your public address, and every transaction must be reviewed and approved on the device itself.

{% hint style="info" %}
A Ledger account in the extension is not a copy of your keys. If you remove the account from the extension, you can add it again at any time by reconnecting the same Ledger.
{% endhint %}

{% hint style="info" %}
Ledger devices are not used to *back up* your existing wallet(s), and are only used to import wallets produced from your Ledger.  If you wish to transition your existing TAO.com wallet to use Ledger, you should import a Ledger wallet and transfer your assets to the Ledger wallet.
{% endhint %}

### Before you start

Make sure you have the following:

* **A supported Ledger device:** Nano S Plus, Nano X, Stax, or Flex, set up with a PIN and recovery phrase.
* **Up-to-date firmware:** Update the device in the Ledger Wallet desktop app (formerly Ledger Live).
* **The Polkadot app installed on the device.** Bittensor uses the same key scheme as Polkadot, so TAO accounts are managed through Ledger's Polkadot app. There is no separate "Bittensor" app.
* **Google Chrome on desktop** (Windows, macOS, or Linux) with the TAO.com extension installed.
* **A USB data cable.** Some cables only charge. If your device powers on but is never detected, try a different cable.

{% hint style="warning" %}
Never type your Ledger recovery phrase into the TAO.com extension, a website, or any other app. TAO.com will never ask for it. Anyone asking for it is attempting to steal your funds.
{% endhint %}

### Step 1: Install the Polkadot app on your Ledger

{% stepper %}
{% step %}

#### Open Ledger Wallet

Connect your Ledger to your computer, unlock it with your PIN, and open the Ledger Wallet desktop app.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

#### Install the app

Go to **My Ledger**, allow the Ledger Wallet app to access your device if prompted, then search for **Polkadot** in the App catalog and click **Install**.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

#### Close Ledger Wallet

Quit the Ledger Wallet app completely before continuing. If it stays open, it can hold the USB connection and prevent the extension from detecting your device.
{% endstep %}
{% endstepper %}

### Step 2: Connect your Ledger to the extension

{% stepper %}
{% step %}

#### Prepare the device

Connect the Ledger by USB, unlock it with your PIN, and open the **Polkadot** app on the device. The screen should show that the app is ready.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

#### Open the extension

Click the TAO.com icon in your Chrome toolbar and unlock the extension with your password.

{% hint style="info" %}
If you don't see the icon, click the puzzle-piece (Extensions) icon in Chrome and pin TAO.com.
{% endhint %}
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

#### Start adding an account

Click on "**Add a wallet**", then "**Import wallet**" and finally choose "**Ledger**".
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

#### Allow Chrome to access the device

Chrome will open a permission window listing connected USB devices. Select your Ledger and click **Connect**. You only need to do this the first time, or after clearing Chrome's site permissions.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

#### Choose your accounts

The extension will load the accounts derived from your Ledger. Select one or more accounts to add. If you've used this Ledger with another Bittensor wallet, the first account (index 0) is usually the one you've used before. Once you have selected your desired account, click "Import selected".

{% hint style="info" %}
if your Ledger has locked before getting to this step, you may need to unlock your Ledger device again and re-open the Polkadot app within your Ledger
{% endhint %}
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

#### Done!

Your Ledger accounts are now imported into TAO.com! You can now press the buttons to explore the wallet or explore the subnets.  

{% hint style="info" %}
For each account, you will need to sign in with your Ledger before use.
{% endhint %}
{% endstep %}
{% endstepper %}

### Step 3: Verify your address

Before you send funds to a new Ledger account, confirm that the address shown in the extension matches the address on the device.

1. Select the Ledger account in the extension and open **Receive**.
2. Click "**Verify on device"**.
3. Compare the address on your Ledger screen with the address in the extension, character by character.
4. If they match, approve on the device. If they don't match, do not use the address and contact support.

{% hint style="info" %}
Bittensor addresses start with `5`. The same Ledger key will show a different-looking address in Polkadot wallets (starting with `1`) because each network encodes addresses differently. The underlying key is the same.
{% endhint %}

### Using your Ledger account

Once added, you can send, receive, and stake TAO from your Ledger account the same way as any other account. The difference is in signing:

1. Create the transaction in the extension as usual.
2. When prompted, make sure your Ledger is connected, unlocked, and the Polkadot app is open.
3. Review the transaction details on the Ledger screen, including the recipient, amount, and fee.
4. Approve on the device to sign, or reject to cancel.

The transaction is only submitted after you approve it on the Ledger.

{% hint style="warning" %}
Always check the details on your Ledger screen, not just in the browser. The device screen is the only display that can't be tampered with by malware on your computer.
{% endhint %}

### Troubleshooting

<details>

<summary>The extension can't find my Ledger</summary>

* Make sure the device is unlocked and the **Polkadot** app is open, not the dashboard.
* Fully quit the Ledger Wallet desktop app and any other wallet that might be connected to the device.
* Try a different USB cable or port, and avoid USB hubs.
* Close and reopen the extension, then try again.

</details>

<details>

<summary>Chrome's device permission window doesn't appear or is empty</summary>

* Unplug and reconnect the Ledger, then retry.
* Check that Chrome is up to date.
* If you previously denied access, go to `chrome://settings/content/hidDevices` and remove the block for TAO.com, then try again.

</details>

<details>

<summary>I see an "app not open" or wrong-app error</summary>

Open the Polkadot app on your Ledger. Other apps, such as Bitcoin or Ethereum, can't sign Bittensor transactions.

</details>

<details>

<summary>My device times out or locks during signing</summary>

Ledger devices auto-lock after a period of inactivity. Unlock the device, reopen the Polkadot app, and submit the transaction again.

</details>

<details>

<summary>I'm on Linux and the device is never detected</summary>

Linux requires udev rules to allow browsers to access Ledger devices. Follow Ledger's official instructions for adding udev rules, then unplug and reconnect the device.

</details>

<details>

<summary>The address shown isn't the one I expected</summary>

You may be looking at a different account index. Remove the account and add it again, selecting the account you've used before. If you used your Ledger with another wallet that used a legacy Bittensor-specific Ledger app, your funds may be at a different address. Contact support before moving funds.

</details>

### FAQ

**Does TAO.com have access to my Ledger's private keys?**\
No. The keys never leave the device. The extension only stores your public address and asks the Ledger to sign transactions you approve.

**Can I use Bluetooth with my Nano X?**\
The Chrome extension connects over USB only.

**Can I use the same Ledger account in other Bittensor wallets?**\
Yes. Any wallet that supports Ledger with the Polkadot app will show the same address for the same account index.

**What happens if I lose my Ledger?**\
Your funds are tied to your recovery phrase, not the device. Restore the phrase onto a new Ledger, install the Polkadot app, and reconnect it to the extension.

**What if I uninstall the extension?**\
Nothing happens to your funds. Reinstall the extension and reconnect your Ledger to see your accounts again.