Ledger® Live — Login & Getting Started

A thorough, step-by-step 2,500-word guide to install Ledger Live, set up & secure your Ledger device, log in, add accounts, make your first transactions, and follow best practices for keeping funds safe.

Introduction

Ledger Live is the official desktop and mobile application that lets you manage cryptocurrencies with your Ledger hardware wallet (Ledger Nano S, Nano S Plus, Nano X, etc.). Ledger Live provides a secure interface to add accounts, view balances, send and receive transactions, install and manage device apps, and perform firmware updates. The hardware wallet stores your private keys offline; Ledger Live is the user-friendly surface that communicates with the device. This guide walks you through every step from installation to advanced security tips.

1. Install Ledger Live (desktop & mobile)

Download Ledger Live only from the official Ledger website. Avoid third-party downloads or links in emails — phishing is common.

Desktop installation

  1. Visit the official Ledger website and download the Ledger Live installer for your OS (Windows, macOS, Linux).
  2. Verify the download if you wish — Ledger publishes checksums and signatures; verifying them adds an extra layer of trust.
  3. Run the installer and follow on-screen prompts. The app will request permissions to access USB devices.
  4. Open Ledger Live, accept terms, and proceed to set up a device or restore one.

Mobile installation

  1. Download Ledger Live from the official Apple App Store or Google Play Store.
  2. On iOS, pair via Bluetooth for Ledger Nano X. On Android, you can use USB OTG or Bluetooth depending on the model.
  3. Grant necessary permissions and follow the initial prompts to connect your device.
Tip: Keep Ledger Live updated to benefit from security fixes and new coin support.

2. Initial device setup

If you bought a new Ledger device, follow these steps to initialize it safely.

  1. Unbox and inspect: Ensure packaging is intact and device shows no signs of tampering.
  2. Connect the device: Use the supplied USB cable (or Bluetooth for Nano X). Plug into your computer or phone and open Ledger Live.
  3. Create a PIN: The device prompts you to create a PIN. Choose a PIN you can remember but that’s not easily guessable. The PIN protects access to the device’s UI; brute force resets occur after multiple incorrect attempts.
  4. Write down your recovery phrase (24 words): Ledger generates a 24-word BIP39 seed. Write the words on the supplied recovery sheet. Store it offline in secure locations — do not photograph, email, or store digitally.
  5. Confirm the seed: The device will ask to confirm random words to verify you recorded them correctly.
  6. Install device apps: Ledger Live uses apps (Bitcoin, Ethereum, etc.) installed on your device to manage specific coins. Install only the apps you need; device storage may be limited on some models.
If you already have a recovery phrase from another hardware wallet and want to restore, choose the "Restore device" flow and enter your 24-word phrase via the device when prompted.

3. Ledger Live login & app flow

Ledger Live uses a simple flow: the application connects to your Ledger device and reads public account information to display balances and transactions. There is no password to log into Ledger Live by default — access is protected by the physical device and PIN. Ledger Live may optionally support a password or biometric lock on the device or app to prevent someone with physical access to your computer from opening the app.

Connecting the device

  1. Open Ledger Live on your computer or phone.
  2. Connect the Ledger device and unlock it with your PIN.
  3. Ledger Live will detect the device and prompt for pairing or to open the Manager tab to install apps.

Device prompts vs app prompts

Always verify and approve critical actions directly on the device screen. Transaction details (amount, fees, recipient address) are displayed on the device — approve only if these match what you expect. Never approve actions that you did not initiate.

4. Adding accounts

Ledger Live lets you add accounts for many blockchains. Each account corresponds to public addresses derived from your seed.

How to add an account

  1. Open Ledger Live and go to the "Accounts" tab.
  2. Click "Add account", choose the cryptocurrency, and follow the on-screen instructions. Ledger Live will prompt you to open the corresponding app on your device (e.g., Bitcoin app) to derive the account addresses.
  3. Ledger Live will scan the blockchain and display balances and transaction history for that account.

Multiple addresses & account discovery

Some cryptocurrencies generate multiple receiving addresses (for privacy). Ledger Live will show used addresses and let you generate new ones. Addresses are deterministic and recoverable with your recovery seed.

5. Sending & receiving funds

Receiving

  1. In Ledger Live select the account and click "Receive".
  2. Ledger Live will show an address; open the corresponding app on your device to verify the address shown on the device screen matches the address in Ledger Live.
  3. Share the address with the sender or use the QR code to receive funds.

Sending

  1. Click "Send" in Ledger Live, enter recipient address and amount, and choose fee settings (standard/priority/custom).
  2. Ledger Live will construct the transaction and prompt you to confirm on the device. Carefully verify recipient address and amount on the device screen and approve by physically pressing the device buttons.
  3. After approval, Ledger Live broadcasts the signed transaction to the network and shows the pending transaction in the account activity.
Be cautious with copy-paste of addresses — use the device-verified address check to avoid clipboard malware attacks. Consider sending a small test transaction first for new addresses.

6. Security best practices

Ledger hardware wallets are secure when used correctly. The device keeps private keys offline; however, user practices determine overall safety. Follow these best practices.

  • Protect your recovery phrase: Write down the 24 words on the supplied recovery sheet and store it offline in a secure, preferably split and geographically separated manner. Avoid digital copies.
  • Never share your recovery phrase or PIN: Ledger support will never ask for your recovery phrase. Scammers may impersonate support and ask for funds or seed — ignore them.
  • Keep firmware & Ledger Live updated: Install firmware updates only via Ledger Live’s Manager. Updates are signed and improve security/support.
  • Use passphrase (advanced): For extra security you can enable a BIP39 passphrase (25th word). Understand the risks: if you lose the passphrase you cannot recover funds even with the 24-word seed.
  • Use PIN & app locks: Use a strong PIN and enable a password/biometric lock on Ledger Live if available to protect the app on shared machines.
  • Beware phishing: Always type ledger.com into your browser or use bookmarks. Verify URLs, signatures, and avoid clicking links in unsolicited emails or social media.

7. Backups & recovery

The 24-word recovery phrase is the only backup you need to restore your wallet on a new Ledger device or compatible wallet. Ledger stores no copies of your seed — if you lose it, funds cannot be recovered.

Best backup strategies

  1. Write the seed on the supplied recovery card and store it in a safe or safety deposit box.
  2. Consider multiple backups in separate secure locations to protect against fire, theft, or natural disasters.
  3. For long-term durability, use metal seed backup solutions that resist fire and water damage.
  4. If using a passphrase, store it separately from the seed and practice recovering to ensure you remember the process.
If you suspect the seed is compromised, move funds immediately to a new wallet with a freshly generated seed and new backups.

8. Troubleshooting & common issues

Device not detected

Try a different USB cable or port, ensure Ledger Live is up to date, and that the device is unlocked. On mobile use a supported OTG cable or Bluetooth pairing. Reboot your device/computer if needed.

Firmware update problems

Follow Ledger Live’s recovery or reinstallation prompts. Do not share your seed with anyone. If the device becomes unresponsive during firmware update, consult official support with device model and firmware version details.

Forgot PIN

If you forget your PIN, the device will need a factory reset. Restore from your 24-word recovery phrase on the same or new device to regain access to funds.

Missing app storage

Older devices have limited storage for apps. Remove unused apps to install the ones you need — removing an app does not erase the accounts or funds (they are recoverable from the seed).

9. Advanced tips & workflows

Using multiple accounts & organizing funds

Create separate accounts for different purposes (savings, trading, payments). Use account nicknames in Ledger Live to keep track.

Integrations & third-party wallets

Ledger supports integrations with many third-party wallets and dApps (MetaMask, MyEtherWallet, etc.). Only connect to trusted apps and understand when the third-party app can view account public data. Approve all transactions on-device.

Enterprise & multi-sig setups

For large holdings, consider multi-signature setups or custody solutions. Ledger devices can be used as signers in multisig configurations (requires compatible software like Electrum or Sparrow Wallet for Bitcoin multisig).

10. FAQ

Can Ledger Live be used without the hardware device?
No. Ledger Live displays account data derived from the device’s public keys, but private keys are on the hardware wallet. You need the device to sign transactions.
What if my Ledger device is lost or stolen?
Use your recovery phrase to restore your wallet on a new Ledger or compatible hardware wallet. Consider moving funds if you believe the seed is compromised.
Does Ledger collect my transaction history?
Ledger Live may request blockchain data to display balances; it uses nodes and third-party providers for network data. Private keys and seed are never transmitted to Ledger's servers.