Until recently, Polkadot, Kusama, and all parachains required an independent Ledger app that created separate accounts for each network. However, with the runtime upgrade to version 1.2.5 on both Polkadot and Kusama, a significant improvement was introduced. This upgrade enabled the development of a "Generic" Polkadot Ledger app, capable of operating seamlessly across Polkadot, Kusama, and all their parachains. This new Generic Polkadot app now offers a user experience similar to non-Ledger accounts: one app controlling a single account that holds all funds across all Substrate chains.


This article explains the migration process with the Polkadot Migration app to the new Generic Polkadot app using Talisman. It guides you on how to move your assets from your legacy account to the single account generated by the new Generic Polkadot app, allowing you to operate on Polkadot, Kusama, or any of their parachains from just that one app.


TABLE OF CONTENTS

The process involves two main steps: First, connect the Polkadot app. Next, connect and use the Migration app to transfer all your funds to this account on the selected network.


Review the first section before starting the migration. It covers the reasons behind the migration, the conditions, and possible difficulties in moving assets.

What to know about migration


For users with multiple accounts managed by different Ledger apps, Zondax, the team behind the development of the Polkadot Ledger apps, has released the "Polkadot Migration" app. This app facilitates the process of moving your assets from the legacy accounts to the single account in the new Generic app, by being able to sign transactions across all chains.


⚠️ ATTENTION

You don’t need to migrate any assets from the Polkadot Relay Chain, as the new "generic" Polkadot app handles accounts created using older versions of the Polkadot app (i.e., versions earlier than 100.x).


To "migrate" all your assets from the old parachain or Kusama account to the new one generated by the Generic Polkadot app, two conditions must be met:


Once all your funds have been migrated to the new account generated by the Generic app you can resume any activity that had a lock or reserve.

Polkadot app

The steps below guide you through the process of connecting the new Generic Polkadot app to Talisman so it can operate on any Substrate network.


1. Install Talisman Wallet on your browser. Find below a brief overview of the wallet:

Talisman: Overview


⛔ READ THIS FIRST!

Before adding your Polkadot Ledger account using the new Generic Polkadot app, remove any accounts previously added from the old Polkadot app in Talisman.


2. Install or update the Polkadot app to the latest version.


3. To connect your Ledger, click "Add account," then the "Connect" button. Finally "Connect Ledger":

Talisman Wallet: How to Import a Ledger Account



4. Click on "Polkadot", then "Polkadot App." Make sure that your Ledger is unlocked and connected to your PC, there's no other app connected to it, and the Polkadot app is open. Click "Continue."



5. Select the first account on the list. The account address will start with "5" in its Substrate format, which is the generic format for your account. Once imported, it will be named "Ledger Polkadot 1" by default. You can change the name later.



6. Now, using just one Polkadot account, you will be able to operate on any Substrate network!

Migration app


The steps below guide you on how to connect the Migration app to Talisman so you can then transfer your assets from legacy accounts to a single account in the new Polkadot Generic app.


⛔ READ THIS FIRST!

Use the Migration app only if you have a Kusama or parachain account managed by Ledger. If you have only the Polkadot and Polkadot Asset Hub apps, you don’t need the Migration app: the Generic Polkadot app will automatically work with your existing Polkadot and Polkadot Asset Hub, as well as the other Polkadot system chains.


1. Install Talisman Wallet on your browser. Find below a brief overview of the wallet:

Talisman: Overview


2. Install the Polkadot Migration app in your Ledger using Ledger Live.


3. Connect your Ledger to Talisman by clicking "Add account" and then the "Connect" button. Finally, "Connect Ledger":

Talisman Wallet: How to Import a Ledger Account



4. Click on "Polkadot", then "Migration App." Make sure that your Ledger is unlocked and connected to your PC, there's no other app connected to it, and the Polkadot Migration app is open.


5. Select the network you want to operate on from the drop-down menu (in the example below, Kusama):



6. Select the first address (it must be the same one as the one in the network Ledger legacy app). That will be your "Ledger [name of the network] 1" (In the example below, "Ledger Kusama 1")



7. Now, you need to move all your assets on Kusama from your "Ledger [name of the network] 1" to the new "Ledger Polkadot 1." Remember you must sign any transaction using the Polkadot Migration app.
‼️ IMPORTANT

Check your account's full balance and its state before considering the migration finished.


A non-exhaustive list of possible assets you might own on different networks:

  • Native tokens (e.g., KSM, ACA, HDX, BNC, etc.).
  • Non-native tokens. For Kusama, check Kusama Asset Hub (e.g., USDt, BILL, etc.). For parachains, check the balance in their respective dApps (e.g., lcDOT, USDc, iBTC, etc.).
  • Funds on other Kusama system parachains,  like People parachain (on-chain identity reserve).
  • NFTs.

If you have non-transferable funds, check the links at the beginning of the article to learn how to remove these locks and reserves.


If you have NFTs, you must transfer them. Check your collection according to Talisman documentation, and connect Talisman to Kodadot or Singular to transfer them from the legacy account to the new Polkadot account.


Follow the article below in case you need help sending funds between accounts:

Talisman: How to Transfer Funds