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

This in-depth, colorful guide (≈2000 words) walks you through Ledger Live: installing, logging in, connecting your Ledger device, managing accounts, sending & receiving crypto, staking and integrations, security best practices, and troubleshooting tips.

Overview — what is Ledger Live?

Ledger Live is the official application (desktop and mobile) for managing your Ledger hardware wallet and cryptocurrency holdings. Ledger Live acts as the user interface: it displays balances, helps install blockchain apps on your device, creates unsigned transactions, and forwards them to your Ledger device for secure signing. Private keys never leave the hardware device.

Always download Ledger Live from the official source: Ledger.com/start. Do not use unknown or third-party installers.

Supported platforms & requirements

  • Desktop: Windows 10/11 (64-bit), recent macOS releases, major Linux distributions.
  • Mobile: iOS and Android. Ledger Nano X supports Bluetooth pairing to mobile.
  • Hardware: Use the USB cable included with your Ledger or a data-capable cable. Some cables are charge-only.
  • Security: Keep your OS and browser up to date, and install Ledger Live from the official website or app stores.

Where to download

Go to https://ledger.com/start, choose your device, and download Ledger Live for your platform. Mobile users should prefer the App Store or Google Play versions for safety and automatic updates.

If you have advanced requirements, verify installer signatures when available. This is a step for tech-savvy users to ensure package integrity.

Installation & first-launch flow

  1. Run the installer you downloaded from Ledger's official site and open Ledger Live.
  2. On first launch, choose Get started and select whether you have a new device or an existing one.
  3. Create an app password (optional) to protect local Ledger Live data and enable auto-lock for extra safety.

The Ledger Live password is separate from your device PIN. The device PIN unlocks the hardware; the Ledger Live password secures the application's local file(s).

Understanding login vs device unlock

Ledger Live login (app password) secures the local Ledger Live data. The device PIN unlocks your Ledger hardware and authorizes transactions. Always input the PIN on the Ledger device itself, never on your computer or phone.

Auto-lock & session security

Enable auto-lock in Settings with a short timeout to reduce exposure if your computer is left unattended. On shared machines, always quit Ledger Live after use.

Connecting your Ledger device

  1. Connect the Ledger via USB (or Bluetooth for Nano X on mobile).
  2. Enter your PIN directly on the device to unlock it.
  3. Allow Manager access in Ledger Live to install or remove device apps if prompted.

Never share your PIN or recovery phrase. Ledger support will never request your seed.

Manager — install and update apps

Use Manager to install blockchain apps (Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, etc.) on your device. Apps are small and limited by device storage — uninstall unused ones if you need space. Uninstalling an app doesn't delete funds.

Firmware updates

Ledger Live will notify you of official firmware updates. Only update via Ledger Live to ensure authenticity. Firmware updates are signed and necessary for security and new features.

Adding accounts in Ledger Live

  1. Navigate to Accounts > Add account and select the currency.
  2. Ledger Live will prompt you to open the corresponding app on your device and will sync addresses to find balances and transaction history.
  3. You can add multiple accounts for the same currency and manage diverse portfolios within one Ledger Live profile.

Accounts are deterministically derived from your recovery seed. Removing an account in Ledger Live doesn't remove the associated funds.

Receiving crypto

  1. Select the account and click Receive in Ledger Live.
  2. Ledger Live shows an address; verify that exact address on your Ledger device screen and approve it.
  3. Copy and paste the verified address into the sending service. Begin with a small test amount.

Sending crypto

  1. Click Send, input the destination address and amount.
  2. Choose network fees and confirm details in Ledger Live.
  3. Verify the entire transaction on your Ledger device screen and approve to sign.

Staking, DeFi and dApp integrations

Ledger Live supports certain staking options and integrates with third-party wallets and dApps. Always verify transactions on-device before approving on any dApp. Understand the permissions you grant to external apps and keep private keys on your hardware device at all times.

Security best practices

  • Never enter your 24-word recovery phrase into any app or website.
  • Store the seed phrase offline on paper or a robust metal backup; consider redundancy and secure locations.
  • Use passphrases only if you fully understand their implications — they create separate wallets derived from the same seed.
  • Keep Ledger Live and device firmware updated and only use official downloads from Ledger.com/start.

Phishing & social engineering

Attackers use fake websites, emails, or messages to trick users into revealing seeds. Always check URLs, avoid clicking unknown links, and verify communications come from official Ledger channels.

Troubleshooting common issues

Ledger Live doesn’t detect my device

  • Use a different USB cable or port; some cables are power-only.
  • Unlock the device (enter PIN) and reconnect.
  • Restart Ledger Live and your computer. Reinstall Ledger Live if needed and ensure it was downloaded from ledger.com.

Transactions pending or not broadcasting

  • Check network congestion and fee levels. Increasing fees or using replacement transactions (if supported) may help.
  • Some chains have specific mechanisms for acceleration — consult Ledger Learning Center for chain-specific advice.

Advanced topics

Passphrase management

Adding a passphrase creates an extra '25th word' that yields a different wallet. It’s a powerful privacy and security tool but introduces a single point of failure: lose the passphrase and funds are inaccessible. Record it securely if used.

Multiple device strategies

For larger holdings, consider multi-device or multi-wallet strategies: split funds, use dedicated devices for high-value storage, and keep a separate 'hot' small-balance device for day-to-day transactions.

FAQ

Does Ledger Live ever need my seed?

No. Ledger Live never asks for your recovery phrase. Seed phrases are only entered during device initialization and must be kept offline.

Can I restore my Ledger on another device?

Yes — using your 24-word recovery phrase you can restore your wallets on another Ledger device or any wallet compatible with BIP39/BIP44 derivation standards.

Resources & further reading