Ledger FAQs

Find answers to some of the most frequently asked questions

What is the new Polkadot Ledger App?

In July 2024, the new Polkadot Ledger App was released (version 100.0.5). This new app can allow you to use one Ledger account on any Substrate chain.

All Substrate-based chains must upgrade their runtime logic to ensure that they are compatible with this new Ledger app – it is up to the individual projects to initiate these runtime upgrades.

What are the differences between the Polkadot Ledger Apps?

There are now three types of Ledger apps for the Polkadot ecosystem:

1. Legacy parachain apps

2. Polkadot Migration app

3. New Polkadot app

These are the differences between each of those apps:

Legacy Parachain apps - The legacy parachain apps should be used for networks that have not yet updated their runtime to support the new Polkadot app. - If the parachain has updated its runtime, then you need to use the Polkadot Migration app. The legacy parachain app will no longer work for this network.

Polkadot Migration app - Before using the Polkadot Migration app, make sure that the chain you want to use has upgraded its runtime to support the new Polkadot Ledger app (or the migration app). You can check the status of the chain here. If the chain has not yet been updated, you should continue using the legacy parachain app. - The Polkadot Migration app will let you access your legacy account addresses and your new generic Polkadot address. You should use the Polkadot Migration app to move your assets from legacy addresses to your generic Polkadot address. Once you have migrated all your assets on all Substrate chains, you can uninstall the Polkadot Migration app from your Ledger. - If you are using the Polkadot or Polkadot Asset Hub chains, you do not need to use the Migration app for them. The new Polkadot app will work straight away.

New Polkadot app - The new Polkadot app will become the main app for all substrate-based chains in the future. - Most chains will need to have a runtime upgrade to support the new Polkadot Ledger app. - All chains, except for Polkadot and Polkadot Asset Hub, will need to go through the migration process first. You won't be able to access your legacy parachain accounts without the Polkadot Migration app.

I was using a dedicated application for a chain. What do I need to do so that I can manage my account with the new Polkadot app?

Remember: You will need to wait for each chain to undergo a runtime upgrade before you can use the Polkadot Migration and then the New Polkadot Ledger app for that chain. If the chain has not executed this runtime upgrade yet, you should continue using the legacy chain-specific Ledger apps.

If you were using one of the legacy chain-specific applications (see the below list), then once that chain has executed the appropriate runtime upgrade, you can start using the new Polkadot Migration application to migrate your assets to your new accounts. This will let you to carry out operations on all chains from a single Ledger app.

A list of legacy chain-specific applications:

• Acala

• Ajuna

• Aleph Zero

• Astar

• Bifrost

• Centrifuge

• Darwinia

• Edgeware

• Hydration (HydraDX)

• Karura

• Kusama

• Nodle

• Parallel

• Phala

• Pendulum

• Polkadex

• Polymesh

• Statemine (Kusama Asset Hub)

• Statemint (Polkadot Asset Hub)

• Unique

• xx network

How can I migrate my tokens to the new app?

See Migrate Tokens to the New Polkadot Ledger App

Which chains are compatible with the new Polkadot Ledger app?

All Substrate-based chains, once they have executed the relevant runtime upgrade, will be supported by the new Polkadot Ledger app.

Which transactions are supported by the new Polkadot Ledger app?

With the new Polkadot Ledger app, you can make any transaction type from Substrate chains, including nested transactions.

It should be noted that transactions may be rejected if your device has insufficient RAM. The owners of Ledger Nano S devices are more likely to encounter this issue, since their devices have significantly less memory than other Ledger devices.

I can't find the Polkadot Migration app on my Ledger Live

Please make sure that you have updated your Ledger firmware and Ledger Live application to the latest versions.

After updating, navigate to the "My Ledger" section in Ledger Live and search for the "Polkadot Migration" application.

How do I know that I have the new Polkadot Ledger app?

The new Polkadot Ledger app is version 100.0.5. If you have this version or higher, then you have installed the new Polkadot app.

Why can't I use a specific chain with the new Polkadot Ledger app?

Each chain needs to execute a runtime upgrade to ensure compatibility with the new Polkadot Ledger app. You should contact the individual project team regarding their timeline for the implementation of this runtime upgrade.

Error: Polkadot app not launched

You need to make sure that you have the Polkadot app installed on your Ledger Device and open that application on your Ledger when prompted. You should see "Polkadot Ready" on your Ledger device screen.

Error: Polkadot migration app not launched

You need to make sure that you have the Polkadot Migration app installed on your Ledger Device and open that application on your Ledger when prompted. You should see "DOT Migration Ready" on your Ledger device screen.