Ledger® Live: Login — Getting Started™

What is Ledger® Live?

Ledger® Live is the official desktop and mobile companion app for Ledger hardware wallets. It lets you manage accounts, send and receive crypto, install or update apps on your device, and keep firmware up to date. This guide focuses on login and initial setup so you can securely access your device and funds.

Whether you’re a new user unboxing a Ledger device for the first time or migrating from another wallet, this page explains the safest, recommended flow for getting started with Ledger® Live.

Download & verify Ledger® Live

Always download Ledger® Live from the official domain and verify the integrity of the installer if signatures are provided. Ledger distributes installers for Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android.

Download checklist

• Visit ledger.com/ledger-live or navigate from ledger.com manually.
• Confirm the TLS certificate and domain in your browser address bar.
• Prefer official app stores for mobile installs (App Store, Google Play) and official site for desktop installers.
• When in doubt, consult Ledger’s official documentation or support channels.

Security tip: Do not download Ledger® Live from mirror sites, unofficial links, or attachments. Fake installers are a common attack vector.

Install & initial launch

After downloading, install Ledger® Live on your machine or mobile device. Launch the app and choose the guided path for new or returning users.

First-run options

• Set up a new device: follow guided prompts to initialize a connected Ledger hardware wallet (Ledger Nano S Plus, Nano X, etc.).
• I already have a recovery phrase: restore your wallet using your recovery phrase on a new Ledger hardware device if needed.
• Use Ledger Live as a companion: connect your existing Ledger device to manage accounts and apps.

Ledger® Live will guide you through connecting your device via USB (or Bluetooth for Ledger Nano X), and will only proceed after physical confirmation on the device for critical operations.

Login flow & device connection

Ledger® Live does not hold your private keys — the keys remain on your hardware device. Login in Ledger® Live establishes a secure connection to the hardware wallet so you can view accounts and sign transactions.

Connect your device

• Plug your Ledger device in via the USB cable (or connect via Bluetooth for supported models).
• Open Ledger® Live and click “Manager” to allow the app to detect and communicate with the device.
• If prompted, enter your device PIN on the hardware device. The PIN is entered directly on the device for security.
• Grant any prompts on-device to allow Ledger® Live to query public account information.

Important: Ledger® Live asks for public keys and account data only; it will never ask for your recovery phrase or private keys. Always confirm prompts on the physical device screen.

Add accounts & manage assets

Ledger® Live supports a wide set of coins and tokens. After connecting, add accounts for the coins you want to manage. Accounts in Ledger® Live reflect public addresses derived from your hardware wallet’s seed.

Adding an account

1. Open Ledger® Live → Accounts → Add account.
2. Select the cryptocurrency (Bitcoin, Ethereum, etc.).
3. Follow the app prompts and confirm the derived address on your Ledger device.
4. Repeat for each coin you plan to manage.

Ledger® Live will show balances and transaction history by syncing with blockchain data providers. The app does not expose your private keys and only requests signed transactions when you approve them.

Send & receive funds

Sending and receiving requires careful verification. When receiving, always verify the address on the device. When sending, verify recipients and amounts on-device before approving.

Receive

• Select the account → Receive → Generate address in Ledger® Live.
• The device will display the receiving address; confirm that the address shown on the device matches the one in the app.
• Send funds from the source wallet to the verified address.

Send

• Create a transaction in Ledger® Live and review details in the app.
• Connect and unlock your Ledger device, then confirm the transaction details on the device screen.
• Only after physical confirmation on the device will Ledger® Live broadcast the signed transaction to the network.

Clipboard safety: Malware can tamper with clipboard addresses. Prefer scanning QR codes or verifying addresses on the hardware device rather than copying and pasting.

Firmware updates & app management

Ledger hardware devices run firmware that is signed by Ledger. Ledger® Live manages firmware updates and app installations for your device. Firmware updates can include security patches and new features.

Updating firmware

• Open Ledger® Live → Manager. Ledger® Live will notify you when a firmware update is available.
• Follow on-screen instructions and confirm update actions on the device.
• Do not disconnect the device during a firmware update — interruption can require recovery using your seed phrase.

Safety: Only apply firmware updates prompted by official Ledger® Live or from Ledger’s official website. Ledger verifies update signatures on-device.

Protecting your device & recovery

Security is central to Ledger’s design. Your recovery phrase is the ultimate secret—if lost or stolen, it gives total access to your funds. Protect it carefully and never share it.

Essential security practices

• Recovery phrase: Write it down on paper or store on a tamper-resistant metal backup. Never store digitally or photograph it.
• PIN: Choose a PIN code and enter it directly on the device when prompted. The PIN prevents immediate access if the device is stolen.
• Passphrase: Optional advanced layer acting as a 25th seed word — use with caution and store passphrase separately from the recovery phrase.
• Verify device: Only proceed with setup from an unopened package or trusted source. If packaging looks tampered with, contact support.
• Phishing vigilance: Always verify domains, be suspicious of unsolicited links, and never enter recovery phrases into websites or share them in chats.

Backup & recovery

During initial setup, the device generates a recovery phrase (usually 24 words). This phrase is the only way to restore your wallet if the device is lost, damaged, or reset.

Backup best practices

• Write down the recovery words exactly and in order on the supplied recovery sheet or a secure medium.
• Create multiple backups and store them in geographically separated secure locations.
• Consider a metal backup option for robust, long-term protection against fire and water.
• Test recovery on a separate device only when you are comfortable and in a secure environment.

Common issues & fixes

Here are solutions to problems users often face during setup and login.

• Device not detected: try a different USB cable or port; ensure the cable supports data (not charge-only); avoid USB hubs during setup.
• Bluetooth pairing issues (Nano X): ensure Bluetooth is enabled on both device and phone, and restart both if needed.
• App cannot connect: close and reopen Ledger® Live; restart your computer; ensure no firewall or antivirus blocks device drivers.
• Forgot PIN: after too many incorrect PIN attempts the device will wipe. Restore with your recovery phrase on a new device and set a new PIN.
• Firmware update failed: retry with a reliable cable and stable connection; contact support if failure persists. Keep your recovery phrase safe.

If you still need help, gather logs (Ledger® Live can generate diagnostic logs) and reach out to official Ledger support or consult the community forum.

Data & privacy considerations

Ledger® Live fetches transaction and market data from third-party providers to show balances and history. Ledger does not have access to your private keys. Review Ledger’s privacy policy and the app settings to control telemetry and data sharing preferences.

• Ledger Live may request permission to share anonymous telemetry — opt out if you prefer.
• Public addresses and transactions are visible on blockchain explorers; maintain privacy by using new addresses for sensitive transactions when appropriate.

Developer tools & integrations

Ledger devices support integrations with many third-party wallets and developer tools (HWI, web3 libraries, and exchange integrations). Use official libraries and community-maintained SDKs when building integrations; never expose recovery phrases or private keys to external services.

// Example pseudocode: list accounts using a ledger SDK
const ledger = await Ledger.connect();
const accounts = await ledger.getAccounts({ coin: 'eth' });
console.log(accounts);

When automating signing in scripts, isolate secrets, audit dependencies, and operate only on trusted machines.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need Ledger® Live to use my Ledger device?

Ledger® Live is the recommended companion app. Some advanced workflows and third-party wallets are available without Ledger® Live, but Ledger® Live provides a unified, user-friendly interface for most users.

Can Ledger® Live be used on multiple devices?

Yes — Ledger® Live can be installed on multiple computers or mobile devices. The hardware device (and recovery phrase) is the true key; Ledger® Live installations only display account data after connecting and unlocking your Ledger device.

What happens if Ledger goes out of business?

Cryptocurrency balances are controlled by your private keys, not the company. As long as you have your recovery phrase, you can restore your funds on any compatible wallet that supports the same standard.