Before you begin — essentials to know
Ledger Live is not a web login portal — it’s a desktop or mobile app that connects to your physical Ledger device to sign transactions. You do not enter seed phrases into Ledger Live: seed phrases are generated and displayed only on the device screen. Keep your recovery phrase offline and never share it.
Step 1 — download & install Ledger Live
- Visit ledger.com/ledger-live and download the version for your OS (Windows, macOS, Linux) or get the mobile app from official stores.
- Install and open Ledger Live. Choose "Set up a new device" if you have a new Ledger, or "Restore device" if you're migrating from an existing recovery phrase.
- Follow the in‑app prompts. Ledger Live will guide you through connecting your Ledger device and initializing it.
Step 2 — initialize or restore your Ledger device
- Connect your Ledger Nano device by USB (or Bluetooth for Nano X) and power it on.
- On the device, follow the prompts to choose a PIN and generate your recovery phrase. Write the recovery words exactly as shown on the device — do this offline and store them securely.
- Confirm the phrase on the device to complete setup. Never enter this phrase into Ledger Live or any website.
Step 3 — adding accounts in Ledger Live
Once the device is initialized and connected, use Ledger Live to add blockchain accounts:
- Open Ledger Live and go to "Accounts" > "Add account".
- Select the currency (Bitcoin, Ethereum, etc.), connect your device and open the corresponding app on the device when prompted.
- Ledger Live will scan the blockchain and display your account balance. Repeat to add multiple accounts across chains.
Logging in and unlocking Ledger Live
Ledger Live uses a local password to lock the app — this is convenience protection for the app interface, but it does not replace your device PIN and recovery phrase. To unlock accounts and sign transactions, you must physically confirm on your Ledger device.
- Set a strong Ledger Live password when prompted and enable OS‑level protections.
- To perform any send or change operations, Ledger Live will prompt you to confirm details on your physical Ledger device — this prevents remote tampering by malicious software.
Security checklist — keep your keys safe
- Buy Ledger devices only from shop.ledger.com to avoid tampered devices.
- Never share your recovery phrase or enter it into your computer/phone.
- Keep your device firmware and Ledger Live app up to date via the official site: firmware updates.
- Use a hardware wallet for significant balances and enable passphrase (optional) for additional account separation.
Troubleshooting common login & connection issues
Device not recognized: try a different USB cable or port, ensure Ledger Live is updated, and confirm the device is unlocked with the correct PIN. For Nano X, check Bluetooth pairing and permissions.
Ledger Live prompts for seed: never enter your recovery phrase into Ledger Live. If any software asks for your seed, close it and contact Ledger Support.
Wrong balances after reinstall: re‑add accounts in Ledger Live; balances are on-chain and will reappear once the wallet scans the blockchain using your public addresses.
Advanced tips — passphrases, multiple wallets, and integrations
For advanced users, Ledger supports optional BIP39 passphrases which create extra hidden wallets from the same seed. Use passphrases carefully — losing one means losing access to that specific wallet. Integrations with DeFi platforms and third-party wallets are available via the Ledger Live integrations page.
10 quick links
- Ledger Live
- Ledger Start
- Ledger Support
- Official Store
- Firmware Updates
- Integrations
- Security Center
- FAQ
- Ledger Blog
- Contact & Legal
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