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

A friendly, step-by-step guide to installing Ledger® Live, logging in, keeping your crypto safe, and troubleshooting common issues.

Introduction — Why Ledger® Live matters

Ledger® Live is Ledger's official desktop and mobile application that lets you manage your hardware wallets, view balances, send and receive crypto, and access supported apps and staking features. If you're setting up a Ledger hardware wallet or migrating funds from another wallet, Ledger® Live is the gateway to a secure, user-friendly experience.

Official download: Always download Ledger® Live from the official Ledger website: https://www.ledger.com/ledger-live.

Download & Install Ledger® Live

Choose your platform — Ledger® Live is available for macOS, Windows, and Linux (desktop), and as an app for iOS and Android. To reduce risk, always verify you are on the official Ledger page before downloading.

Step-by-step: desktop install

  1. Open Ledger® Live in your browser.
  2. Pick the right installer for your OS and download the file.
  3. Run the installer and follow on-screen instructions.
  4. When finished, open Ledger® Live and allow any permission prompts.

Step-by-step: mobile install

  1. On your iPhone or Android device, open the App Store / Google Play.
  2. Search for "Ledger Live" — or visit the official Ledger® Live page for direct store links.
  3. Install the app and open it.

Tip

If a site or message asks you to download a Ledger update through anything other than the official app or ledger.com/ledger-live, do not download it.

Initial setup — Prepare your Ledger device

What you need

Setup overview

When you first power on your Ledger device it will walk you through creating a PIN and generating a 24-word recovery phrase (or whatever recovery length your model uses). Ledger® Live pairs with the device and helps you install coin-specific apps.

Pairing Ledger with Ledger® Live

  1. Open Ledger® Live on your desktop or mobile. If prompted, choose "Get started".
  2. Select "Initialize as new device" on the Ledger hardware or "Restore device" if you are restoring from a recovery phrase.
  3. Follow Ledger® Live prompts to connect the device and install apps for coins you want to manage.

Reminder: Ledger® staff will never ask for your 24-word recovery phrase. Keep it offline and in a safe place.

How to login to Ledger® Live

Ledger® Live itself usually uses a local password for the app (app password) and requires you to connect your Ledger hardware device to sign transactions. Ledger® Live does not "know" your recovery phrase — it only communicates with your device to sign operations.

Desktop login flow

  1. Open Ledger® Live. If it's your first time, create an app password (this protects the app on your machine).
  2. Connect your Ledger device via USB and unlock with your PIN.
  3. Enter your app password when prompted. Ledger® Live will detect the device and display your accounts.

Mobile login (with Bluetooth Ledger Nano X)

  1. Enable Bluetooth on both the Ledger device (if supported) and your phone.
  2. Open Ledger® Live mobile and unlock with your app password or device biometric if you enabled it.
  3. Pair the device in the app when it appears in the Bluetooth list.

Security note

Ledger® Live stores non-sensitive account data locally; private keys always stay on the hardware device. When you sign transactions, the device shows transaction details for you to verify.

Official Ledger resources and app downloads can be found at https://www.ledger.com/ledger-live.

Using Ledger® Live: basic actions

1. Add accounts

Click "Add account", choose the cryptocurrency (Bitcoin, Ethereum, etc.), open the corresponding app on your Ledger device, and confirm. Ledger® Live will read the public addresses and let you add accounts to your portfolio.

2. Send & receive crypto

To receive: copy your address from Ledger® Live (or scan the QR on mobile) and share with the sender. To send: create a transaction in Ledger® Live — the final signature happens on the device.

3. Manage apps & firmware

Ledger® Live has a Manager section where you can install coin apps and update your device firmware. Always use the Manager in Ledger® Live (download from the official page), and follow on-screen instructions exactly.

Security best practices

Protect your recovery phrase

The recovery phrase is the single most important secret that can restore your funds — treat it like the keys to a bank vault. Write it by hand. Do not photograph it, upload it, or type it into websites.

Beware phishing

Scammers create fake websites and links that mimic Ledger. Always verify the URL before downloading Ledger® Live or entering any information. The official Ledger® Live page is https://www.ledger.com/ledger-live.

Firmware & app updates

Keep Ledger® Live and your device firmware updated. Ledger will publish firmware and app updates through Ledger® Live; do not install updates from unverified sources.

Advanced: verify firmware

If you're advanced user, verify firmware signatures and checksums as provided by Ledger's official resources to ensure authenticity.

Troubleshooting common issues

Ledger® Live doesn't detect my device

Forgot my Ledger® Live app password

Ledger® Live app password protects the local app interface. If forgotten, you may need to reinstall the app; this does not affect your crypto (funds remain recoverable via your recovery phrase), but you will need your recovery phrase to re-import accounts.

Firmware update failed

If an update fails, don't panic. Follow Ledger's official recovery steps in the Manager of Ledger® Live. If your device becomes unresponsive, Ledger support (via the official site) will have precise next steps.

Need help? Use Ledger's official support and documentation (start here): https://www.ledger.com/ledger-live.

Advanced topics

Using multiple devices and accounts

You can manage more than one Ledger device with the same Ledger® Live installation. Each device/account can be named and organized inside the app for clarity.

Integrations & staking

Ledger® Live supports staking certain assets directly within the app, and it can connect to third-party DeFi and DApp integrations. Always confirm integration details within Ledger® Live and never sign transactions that don't match the expected details on the hardware device display.

FAQ — quick answers

Is Ledger® Live free?

Yes. Ledger® Live is free to download and use. Fees may apply when broadcasting transactions (network fees), not from the app itself.

Can Ledger® Live access my recovery phrase?

No — Ledger® Live never asks for or stores your recovery phrase. All signing operations happen on the hardware device.

Where can I find official Ledger resources?

Start at the official Ledger® Live page: https://www.ledger.com/ledger-live. Ledger's support portal and FAQ live there as well.

What should I do if my recovery phrase is compromised?

Immediately transfer funds to a new wallet whose recovery phrase has been generated securely on a new Ledger device. If you suspect compromise, act quickly.

Official resources & links

Always rely on Ledger's official pages. Below are repeated references so you have the official entry point for downloads, support, and knowledge base:

(All links above point to the official Ledger® Live hub: https://www.ledger.com/ledger-live.)

Closing thoughts — Make Ledger® Live part of a safe routine

Ledger® Live, combined with a Ledger hardware wallet, is a robust way to manage private keys offline while performing most account management tasks safely and conveniently. Treat your recovery phrase as the single most critical asset, verify every link before downloading, and use Ledger® Live's Manager for official app and firmware updates.

If you want to download Ledger® Live now or find official guides, visit: https://www.ledger.com/ledger-live.

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