Ledger to phase out Nano S Model, urges users to upgrade

Ledger, a manufacturer of hardware wallets for cryptocurrency storage, announced that it will discontinue its Nano S model. The firm urged its users to transition to more updated models, including the Nano S Plus or Nano X.

The company notified that impending changes in blockchain protocols could make the Nano S model outdated over time. Ledger also said the initiative is part of its strategy to ensure users have access to the latest security features and compatibility with advancing blockchain technologies.

Evolving crypto tech pushes Ledger to upgrade its Nano S model

Hi @BAYC5511, the Ledger Nano S has been a trusted security device since 2016, used by millions of people around the world to protect their digital assets. Over time, however, the hardware has reached the limits of what it can support. The device’s memory capacity restricts the…

— Ledger (@Ledger) June 25, 2025

Ledger revealed in its Spring 2025 update notes that the company is transitioning away from the Ledger Nano S. The firm said it will not accept new applications, feature submissions, and app updates on the Nano S due to its phase-out initiative. 

Ledger also recommended that companies begin planning for the transition to ensure continuity for their users by warning them that support for Nano S will not be guaranteed. The firm told companies to encourage users to upgrade to other Ledger devices and check that they have their 24-word Secret Recovery Phrase to maintain support.

The crypto company urged users to upgrade to newer versions like the Ledger Nano X, Ledger Nano S Plus, Ledger Flex, and Ledger Stax. Ledger argued that upgrading will offer perks, including the latest security features like Clear Signing, improved user experience, future-proofing, and increased storage.

Since Ledger Nano S launched in 2016, the company believes the crypto landscape has evolved. With new digital assets and blockchain applications, the model’s limited storage capacity is now a constraint.

The firm noted that Nano S has a Secure Element (ST31H320) with 320 kb of flash memory, enabling top-tier security through self-custody. Ledger also highlighted that the chips were not initially designed for current use cases. 

Despite the Nano S model’s limited memory being sufficient in 2016 to store the Ledger OS and its associated applications, Ledger acknowledged that the rapid growth of the crypto ecosystem has made its storage capacity a limitation. 

The firm noted that users had to delete frequently and reinstall apps to manage their diverse crypto holdings due to the Nano S model’s insufficient space. The hard wallet manufacturer said it impacts usability and convenience, especially for users on multiple blockchains.  

Ledger also disclosed that the available RAM on the Nano S chip is lower compared to newer products. The firm said the limitation does not support features including Ledger Recover, Ledger Sync, latest and future Clear Signing improvements, sending NFTs through Ledger Live, Ledger Live swaps with THORChain and Uniswap, and Device Language Packs.

Leger unveils the Ledger Recovery Key

🔐Ledger Recovery Key is a private, encrypted, PIN-protected spare key to access your assets.
🔄It uses a Secure Element & secure NFC communication with a Ledger Flex or Ledger Stax to backup/restore your 24-words in just a few taps
📝Not a replacement, but a safe and accessible… pic.twitter.com/IQmrcJVrwi

— Charles Guillemet (@P3b7_) June 24, 2025

Ledger also introduced an offline tool for private key recovery on Tuesday to help users regain access to their crypto wallets without relying on cloud-based services or personal data. The firm debuted the Ledger Recovery Key, allowing Ledger Flex or Ledger Stax users to store their private keys on a smart card with an NFC connection.

According to the hard wallet manufacturer, the new private key differs from its previous version, Ledger Recover, which stores encrypted fragments of recovery phrases in cloud-based hardware security modules. The firm also acknowledged that the new key recovery product does not require identity verification or the collection of personal details, as Ledger Recover does.

“We’ve received extremely positive feedback from security researchers and industry leaders, and we’re excited to reveal it to the world for even more feedback ahead of its launch soon.”

Charles Guillemet, Chief Technology Officer at Ledger.

The company maintained that the Ledger Recovery Key is always offline and protected by its PIN. The firm also confirmed in the announcement that the Recovery Key connects directly to Ledger devices using secure NFC wireless channels with no intermediary. The key is built with Secure Element, the main security layer, and the same technology applied by Ledger wallet devices.

As part of Ledger’s transparency pledge, the key’s application code is open-sourced on GitHub. Its code shows the tool has undergone internal security testing with Donjon, the company’s white hat hacker team and has been externally audited by cybersecurity firm Synacktiv.

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