Ledger® Live: Login — Getting started™ with Ledger®

Complete, secure, step-by-step onboarding for new Ledger users: install, first login, account setup, and best practices.

Beginner-friendly Security-first Step-by-step

Overview

Welcome! If you're here to log in to Ledger Live and get started with your Ledger hardware wallet, you're in the right place. This guide walks you through everything: installing Ledger Live, connecting your device, creating or restoring wallets, understanding PINs and recovery phrases, and troubleshooting common login issues. We'll also cover security best practices and answer frequently asked questions.

1. Before you start: what you need

Prepare the essentials before attempting to login to Ledger Live:

  • Ledger hardware device (e.g., Ledger Nano S Plus, Ledger Nano X) and its original USB cable.
  • A computer (Windows/macOS/Linux) or a smartphone (iOS/Android) with a stable internet connection.
  • Your 24-word recovery phrase (ONLY if restoring — never share it online).
  • Ledger Live app downloaded from an official source. Replace the placeholder links below with your official download URLs.

Quick checklist

  • Charge your device (if it's a battery-powered model).
  • Use the original cable and avoid public USB chargers.
  • Work in a private environment — avoid screensharing or public Wi-Fi.

2. Install Ledger Live (step-by-step)

For desktop

  1. Download Ledger Live from the official source (replace placeholders below).
  2. Run the installer and follow on-screen prompts.
  3. Open Ledger Live, choose your language, and proceed to "Get started".

For mobile

  1. Open the App Store or Google Play, search for "Ledger Live", and install the official app.
  2. Open the app and allow necessary permissions.
Important: Only install Ledger Live from official channels — do not trust third-party downloads or links sent by unknown contacts.

3. First-time setup & login flow

Connect your Ledger device

Plug your Ledger device into your computer or pair it with your phone (for Bluetooth-enabled models).

On the device
  • Power on the device: press the physical buttons as instructed by the device guide.
  • When asked, choose Set up as new device to create a new wallet, or Restore from recovery phrase to restore an existing wallet.

On Ledger Live

  1. Open Ledger Live and choose Get started.
  2. Select your device model and follow the on-screen instructions to pair and verify the device.
  3. Enter a PIN on the device when prompted — this is separate from any password you use on your computer.
  4. Write down the 24-word recovery phrase exactly as shown (if creating a new wallet).
Never type your recovery phrase into a computer or phone. Keep it offline and secure.

4. Logging into Ledger Live (regular use)

Ledger Live's "login" mainly refers to opening the app and unlocking it for use. Ledger Live may request a password (the application password) if you set one, but most security comes from your physical device and its PIN.

Unlocking steps

  1. Open Ledger Live on your device.
  2. Connect and unlock your Ledger hardware using the device PIN.
  3. Ledger Live will detect your device and display your accounts.
  4. If you set an application password, enter it. (This is optional — application passwords add local encryption.)
Auto-lock & session safety

Ledger Live can auto-lock after inactivity; set a short auto-lock interval to lower the risk of unauthorized access on shared machines.

5. Security best practices

Protect your recovery phrase

  • Store it offline in a secure, fireproof place.
  • Consider a steel backup plate for longer-term durability.
  • Never share it with anyone — not Ledger support, not friends.

Device & software hygiene

  • Only use official Ledger Live updates (check inside the app, or the official site).
  • Use antivirus and keep your OS patched.
  • Prefer offline storage for large holdings. Use your hardware wallet for signing transactions.

Recognize scams

Scammers often impersonate Ledger support. Ledger will never ask for your 24-word phrase. If someone asks for it, it's a scam.

6. Troubleshooting common login problems

Ledger Live can't detect my device

  • Try a different USB cable and port.
  • Ensure the device is turned on and unlocked.
  • For mobile — check Bluetooth permissions and try re-pairing.

Forgot device PIN

If you forget your PIN, you must reset the device and restore from your recovery phrase. Without that phrase, funds cannot be recovered.

App password problems

If you forget an optional local app password (used to encrypt Ledger Live data), you can reset app settings — but you'll need your hardware device and PIN to restore access to accounts.

7. Advanced: multiple accounts, passphrases, and manager

Multiple accounts

Ledger Live lets you add multiple accounts across many blockchains. Each account requires the app for that currency (installed on-device via Ledger Live Manager).

Passphrase (optional)

A passphrase is an optional extra secret appended to your 24-word seed. It increases security but adds complexity — losing it means losing access to those derived accounts.

Manager & app installation

Use Ledger Live's Manager to install or update blockchain apps directly on your device. Keep small apps installed to conserve device storage if you have many currencies.

8. Day-to-day workflows & best UX tips

  • Check transaction details on your hardware device screen before confirming — this prevents MITM or malicious app behavior.
  • Use a separate "watch-only" setup to monitor balances without exposing seed material.
  • For heavy usage, consider a dedicated, recently-updated computer for crypto activity.

Backups & audits

Periodically verify your backup recovery phrase matches the device by doing an emergency restore on a spare device (if you have one). This ensures no transcription errors.

9. Resources & Office links

Below are ten colorful "office" resource links you can customize — replace # with the actual target URLs for downloads, support, templates, or internal documentation.

Tip: Use these links in your team "office" page for on-boarding colleagues — color-coded links help new users quickly find the most critical resources.

10. FAQ — Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. Where do I download Ledger Live?

A: Always download Ledger Live from official sources. Replace the placeholders above with the official download link for your platform.

Q2. Can Ledger Live be used on multiple computers?

A: Yes. Ledger Live can be installed across multiple devices, but your accounts are secured by the hardware device and recovery phrase. Keep your recovery phrase safe.

Q3. If I lose my Ledger device, can I recover my funds?

A: Yes — as long as you have the 24-word recovery phrase, you can restore your wallet to a new compatible hardware wallet or supported software wallet that accepts BIP39/BIP44 seeds.

Q4. Will Ledger ever ask for my 24 words?

A: No. Ledger support will never ask for your recovery phrase. Any request for those words is a scam.

Q5. What happens if Ledger Live shows the wrong balance?

A: Check network status, ensure the correct accounts are added, and verify the device is unlocked. You can also reconcile balances using a block explorer and your public addresses.

Q6. Is it safe to set an app password for Ledger Live?

A: Yes — an app password encrypts local data. However, the hardware wallet's PIN and the recovery phrase are the most critical secrets.

Q7. Can I use Ledger Live with mobile and desktop simultaneously?

A: Yes. Pairing is device-specific. For mobile Bluetooth-enabled devices, follow the pairing flow in Ledger Live mobile.

Q8. What is a passphrase and should I use it?

A: A passphrase is an extra word or phrase added to your seed to derive separate accounts. It provides greater security but increases the risk of losing access if forgotten.

Q9. Are there alternatives to Ledger Live?

A: Yes — advanced users sometimes use third-party wallet interfaces (read-only / signing) with Ledger devices. Always verify compatibility and security before adding funds.

Q10. Who do I contact for help?

A: Use official support channels (replace placeholders above) and avoid support links received via unverified email or social media DMs.

11. Conclusion & final checklist

Getting started with Ledger Live centers on two things: installing official software and securely handling your recovery phrase. Use the device screen to verify every transaction, keep backups offline, and only trust official resources. If you're setting this up for an office or team, maintain an internal office page with the 10 links above tailored to your organization.

Final checklist

  • Installed Ledger Live from official source.
  • Initialized device, set PIN, and wrote down recovery phrase.
  • Added accounts and verified balances.
  • Saved official resource links in your office page (replace placeholders).