Hardware Wallets
Avana Wallet enables you to use a hardware wallet (also known as "cold storage" wallet) and keep your private keys off of your device, while at the same time benefitting from everything Avana Wallet features. Currently Avana Wallet supports the following hardware wallet models:
Another popular hardware wallet is Trezor, but it does not support Solana at this time. You can read more about the security merits of cold storage wallets here.
Browser Support
Hardware wallet integration is supported with all browsers except for Firefox.
Setting Up Ledger Solana App
Ledger Nano devices are capable of interacting with Solana, but it requires extra configuration. Follow the steps below to setup your Ledger Nano device for use with Avana Wallet and Solana:
Download the latest version of Ledger Live. This is required to update your Ledger Nano firmware and install apps on your device.
Connect your device to Ledger Live and update firmware. This ensures you have the most up-to-date software and security patches.
Navigate to the Manager tab and search for Solana App. Then click "install" button.
- Enable
Blind Signingon your device so you can interact with smart contracts (read below about Blind Signing). This is required if you want to interact with any apps not developed by Solana (for instance, DeFi apps that use Serum).
Image source: Ledger
(Optional) Create a Solana account in Ledger Live. This step is not required to sync with Avana Wallet. Follow this step only if you want to use Ledger Live to integrate and display your account as well.
Click on Accounts → Create Account
Click on
Edit Accounticon in upper right portion of your account screen, then click onAdvancedto see your account information. Save the following three items to import the account to Avana Wallet:- index (0 in example)
- freshAddressPath This is the path that is used to derive your public key (44'/501'/0' in example).
- id This is your Solana public address. Record the first and last few letters to compare it when you import it to Avana Wallet (EeWFry...H1JX8 in example)
Importing Ledger To Avana Wallet
Step 1: Connect to Ledger USB
Navigate to Accounts → Import and click on Hardware tab.
Make sure you Ledger Wallet is connected to your device, and the device has been unlocked by entering your pin.
Click the Connect button and you should see a popup prompt similar to the following:
Troubleshooting
If your device does not show up try the following:
- Make sure your Ledger is functioning and you have entered your code to unlock it.
- Try disconnecting your USB device, reconnecting it. Sometimes hardware communication channels need to be reset.
- Make sure your browser has permission to access your USB devices.
Step 2: Validate & Import Account
After you are connected you can validate your account. If you created a Ledger Live account
(Step #5 above) then enter the index number you recorded and select the
matching derivation path. If you did not create a Ledger Live account, then you can just use index of 0 and
use derivation path of 44'501'/0' (Ledger uses this format, so it's best to use in case you want to create a Ledger Live account later).
Derivation Path
Use the default path (recommended by Ledger) if this is your first time setting up the account. Avana Wallet gives you options to chose your derivation path in case you created an account with a different wallet provider. Some wallet providers do not use the recommended Ledger derivation path.
When you view your Account Details it will note that the account is a Ledger Hardware Wallet.
Secret Keys
Ledger stores your private key on the device. You are not able to view the private key by clicking on Secret Keys. The Secret Keys
page contains the Derivation Path that you will need if you ever want to sync your Ledger Live account.
Signing Transactions With Ledger
Signing transactions with your Ledger hardware wallet is very similar to a normal account. The main difference is that a
prompt will ask you to sign the transaction(s). Your Ledger device must be connected, unlocked and in the Solana app
for the transaction to proceed. Your Ledger screen should say Application Is Ready.
Solana transactions expire quickly
Signing transactions with a hardware wallet adds time to the process. It is important to keep in mind that Solana transactions have a short lifespan (about two minutes). The network will reject the transaction request if your transaction has expired.
It's a good practice to have your Ledger open and on the Application Is Ready screen before starting the transaction.
Step 1: Open Device & Navigate To Application Is Ready Screen
Open your Ledger device and navigate to the Solana app. It should display Application Is Ready.
Application is ready display
Step 2: Start Transaction
Start your transaction. Avana Wallet will prompt you to connect to your Ledger device.
Step 3: Sign Transaction
Sign the transaction with your Ledger device by approving each prompt. Some transactions may require multiple signatures (for instance, some Swap transactions may require two or three signatures).
Blind Signing
We recommend enabling Blind Signing on your device so you can interact with smart contracts (read more from Ledger Support). This is required if you want to interact with any apps not developed by Solana (for instance, DeFi apps that use Serum).
By default Ledger displays the transaction details on the screen when you are prompted to sign a transaction, and
Ledger is only able to display a small number of Solana programs (for instance, sending and receiving SOL).
Enabling Blind Signing tells Ledger that it is able to sign transactions that it does not know how to display.
When you use Ledger combined with Avana Wallet, then it is not truly "blind signing" because you can see the simulated transaction details in Avana Wallet before providing a signature. In this sense, Avana Wallet provides you an extra layer of security. The reason Ledger is unable to perform the same action is because Ledger has a finite amount of computing power and memory, and it cannot connect directly to the internet.
Image source: Ledger
Troubleshooting
Sometimes communication channels between hardware devices (such as your Ledger) and software do not work perfectly. Below are a few steps that you can take to address any issues you encounter. You can also contact support.
If your device does recognize your Ledger try the following:
- Make sure your Ledger is functioning and you have entered your code to unlock it.
- Try disconnecting your USB device, reconnecting it. Sometimes hardware communication channels need to be reset.
- Make sure your browser has permission to access your USB devices.
Device Is Busy notice:
This means your Ledger device is already processing another action. This occurs when you click a button multiple times in a short period.
- Allow more time between requests
- Try disconnecting device and reconnecting it
Ledger Blind Signing Is Disabled notice:
This means you have not yet enabled Blind Signing and this permission is needed for the current transaction. Read how to enable Blind Signing.
Transaction Rejected notice:
This means you did not click Approve on your device when prompted to sign a transaction.
Connection Error notice:
This means Avana Wallet is unable to connect with your device. You can try the following to resolve the issue:
- Make sure you unlock your device, select the Solana app and see the
Application Is Readyscreen - Try disconnecting and reconnecting your Ledger
- Try closing your browser (all windows) and re-opening your browser
- Make sure you have enabled your browser to use USB connections
- Make sure your browser supports USB connections (Firefox does not)