Now that your wallet(s) is set up, it is time to fund and use it. All software wallets have similar functionality, so these instructions are pretty universal for all software wallets. Here, we will provide software wallet instructions as well as Ledger Nano wallet instructions.
Sending crypto from your software wallet
- Open your crypto wallet.
- Click on the crypto you want to send.
- Click the “Send” option.
- Enter the address you want to send the crypto to. It is important to have the right address based on the crypto you are sending as a Bitcoin address is different than an Ethereum address. You will likely have two options to enter the address: paste an address, or scan a QR code. It is best not to type out the address yourself to avoid errors.
- Enter the amount of crypto you want to send.
- Click next (or equivalent) and review your transaction to make sure everything looks right.
- Submit! The transfer can take anywhere from a few seconds to around 30 minutes depending on the crypto you are sending and how busy the network is. For example, Bitcoin network that is getting a lot of use can take longer than Ethereum when usage is low.
Receiving crypto into your software wallet
- Open your crypto wallet.
- Click on the crypto that you are wanting to receive. It is important to select the correct option here, because your Bitcoin address will be different from your Ethereum address, for example.
- Click the “Receive” option.
- You will be provided with your public address, and likely also a QR code. Because the addresses are long, it is best to use the copy and paste function or use the QR code to avoid mistakes. Remember, if the address gets messed up here, you will likely lose the crypto forever.
- Provide this address to the person sending you crypto, or if you are sending from one wallet to your other wallet, copy and paste it to the “Send” section of your other wallet.
Sending crypto from your Ledger hardware wallet
This process will vary depending on if you are using the mobile app or desktop app:
Mobile app with Ledger Nano X:
- Download Ledger Live on your mobile phone.
- Open the app. Since your Ledger was already set up, click on Access your wallet.
- If you have a Nano X, you can select Connect your Ledger. If you have a Nano S, you will need to select Sync with Ledger Live desktop.
- On your close-by Ledger, unlock the device.
- On your mobile app, click on Let’s pair my Nano, then select Pair with bluetooth.
- Select your Nano device (if it doesn’t show up, be sure that bluetooth is enabled.
- Check that the code matches both on your phone and the Ledger, then click Pair on your phone, and on your Ledger, click both hardware buttons at the same time to confirm the pairing.
- Double click the hardware buttons again saying “Allow a secure connection with Ledger.”
- Click the purple button at the bottom with arrows pointing left and right.
- Click Send, and select the crypto you want to send.
- Enter the recipient address or scan a QR code. Utilize copy and paste and avoid typing the full address yourself. Click Continue.
- Type in the amount of crypto you want to send, and click Continue.
- Pick between Slow, Medium, and Fast. Your network fee depends on this option, so if you don’t mind a slow delivery, click on that one.
- In the final step, your Ledger Live app will once again connect to your Ledger wallet. You must review the transaction on your hardware, clicking the button a few times reviewing the transaction. Take another look to confirm the address that is showing on the Ledger is accurate, and when finally get to the Approve screen, double click both hardware buttons to compete the transaction.
Desktop app with Ledger Nano X or S:
- Open your Ledger Live app on your computer.
- Connect your Ledger device to your computer through the USB cable.
- Click Send along the left side.
- Click the dropdown and select the crypto you wish to send.
- Enter the address of the wallet you are sending to. Use the QR code or copy and paste function. Click Continue.
- Enter the amount you wish to send, and select the transaction speed, which also affects the transaction fee. Click Continue.
- View the summary and Click Continue.
- This sends the transaction to your Ledger device for final review and approval. If you are sending Bitcoin, you need to first open the Bitcoin app on the device.
- On your device, review the transaction by clicking the right button until you get to the Accept and send screen. If all looks good, go ahead and press both buttons at once to submit the transaction.
Receiving crypto into your Ledger hardware wallet
Mobile app with Ledger Nano X:
- Open the mobile app on your phone.
- Click the purple button at the bottom with arrows pointing left and right.
- Click Receive, and search for the crypto you are looking to deposit, using Bitcoin for this example.
- Click on Bitcoin, and select your Bitcoin account to deposit into. Your app will pop up a screen asking you to verify your address, or reveal address without verifying. With your hardware device nearby and unlocked, click on Verify my address.
- Confirm the address that popped up on your phone is the same that popped up on your Ledger device.
- On your Ledger, click the right button to move to the next menu, then click both buttons to Approve.
- The popup will disappear on your phone screen and produce a QR code for you to give to the sender, or copy and paste the address elsewhere.
Desktop app with Ledger Nano X or S:
- Open Ledger Live on your computer.
- Connect your Ledger device to your computer and enter your PIN to unlock..
- Click Receive along the left side of Ledger Live.
- Click the dropdown and select the crypto you are receiving. Click Continue.
- This will send a notification to your device to verify the address. Click the right button on your Ledger to view the address and make sure it matches what is shown on your computer.
- If they match, go ahead and use the QR code produced in Ledger Live, or copy and paste the address to enter as the recipient address.
