Setting up Ledger Live with your own Bitcoin full node provides optimal privacy and stronger guarantees on your balances. This advanced feature allows you to synchronize and send transactions without relying on Ledger’s explorers.
How Does the Bitcoin Full Node Connection Work?
Ledger Live typically connects to Ledger’s Bitcoin explorers by default, providing fast account synchronization. However, this means trusting Ledger’s node for accurate balances and data privacy.
By using Ledger SatStack, advanced users can connect Ledger Live directly to their Bitcoin full node. Ledger SatStack is an open-source application that serves as a bridge between Ledger Live and your full node, allowing you to scan accounts, retrieve balances, and broadcast transactions directly.
A Bitcoin full node validates all transactions and blocks, and stores the complete Bitcoin transaction history, allowing for autonomous balance checking.
Before You Start
Download and install Ledger Live Desktop version 2.52 on your computer:
Ledger Live Desktop 2.52 for Windows
Ledger Live Desktop 2.52 for macOS
Ledger Live Desktop 2.52 for Linux
Download Bitcoin Core and synchronize a full node. Learn more about setting up Bitcoin Core.
We recommend configuring your node with txindex=1 in the bitcoin.conf configuration file.
Connecting Your Bitcoin Full Node to Ledger Live
To connect your Bitcoin full node:
Ensure Bitcoin Core is fully synchronized, then open Ledger Live and go to Settings > Experimental features tab.
Scroll down and select Connect Bitcoin full node.
Click Continue once your full node is set up and synchronized.
Enter your node parameters:
If Bitcoin Core runs on the same computer as Ledger Live, use the default value 127.0.0.1:8333.
If you’ve configured a static IP address for your node, replace the default IP address with your full node’s IP.
If using a hosted node solution, enter the URL.
Enter the RPC credentials from your bitcoin.conf file, found in:
Windows: %APPDATA%\Bitcoin\
OSX: $HOME/Library/Application Support/Bitcoin/
Linux: ~/.bitcoin/
Enable Transport Layer Security if necessary.
Click Continue once connected. If you encounter issues, review the parameters and retry.
Configuring Your Accounts
Configure the number of accounts for each address type (Legacy, SegWit, Native SegWit). The default is 10 accounts per type; increase this if needed.
Click Continue and connect/unlock your Ledger device.
Open the Bitcoin app on your Ledger device.
Wait while Ledger Live retrieves account information from your device.
Click Continue once the account information is added to the node configuration file (lss.json).
Adding Your Accounts
Once your full node is connected and scanning is complete, add your accounts as usual. For instructions on adding accounts, refer to the Add Your Accounts article.
Accounts from Multiple Recovery Phrases or Passphrase
If you use multiple recovery phrases or passphrases, or if you have more than 10 accounts of one address type, ensure your full node scans for all associated accounts by configuring your node accordingly. This process will improve over time.
Understanding Full Node Statuses
In the Settings > Experimental features > Connect Bitcoin full node section, you may see the following statuses:
Ready: The full node is fully synced. You can add Bitcoin accounts, and balances are accurate.
Loading: SatStack is verifying the total circulating supply.
Node sync in progress: The node is synchronizing new blocks. Recent transactions may not yet be visible.
Account scan in progress: The node is scanning for account balances. You can add accounts once the scan is complete.
Could not reach SatStack: SatStack is not reachable. Ensure SatStack is running.
Could not reach full node: The node is offline or the connection settings are incorrect. Edit settings in Experimental features.
Known Bugs and Limitations
Bitcoin full node support is still experimental, and some bugs and limitations exist. These will be addressed before the feature is fully released.
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