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

Ledger® Live: Login | Getting started™ with Ledger® walks you through secure and practical steps for logging into Ledger Live, connecting your Ledger hardware device, protecting your recovery phrase, and confidently managing crypto assets. This guide focuses on the login flow, potential pitfalls, and everyday best practices to keep your funds safe.

Whether you're performing your first login or returning to manage multiple accounts, this walkthrough helps you do it the secure way.

Login Instructions Get Ledger Live

Overview

Ledger® Live: Login | Getting started™ with Ledger® covers the login experience for Ledger Live — the desktop and mobile interface that interacts with Ledger hardware wallets. Ledger Live itself does not hold private keys: those stay on your physical device. The login flow centers on pairing the app with your device, authenticating locally, and enabling optional protections like PINs and passphrases.

This guide is intentionally practical: steps you can follow now, and checks to add to your routine.

Ledger® Live: Login — Step-by-step

  1. Install and open Ledger Live:

    Download Ledger Live from the official site and install it on your device. When you first open the app, you'll see the welcome and terms screens. Ledger® Live: Login | Getting started™ with Ledger® will walk you through the initial setup prompts.

  2. Connect your Ledger device:

    Use the official USB cable (or Bluetooth on supported devices) to connect your Ledger hardware wallet. The device will show a welcome screen and ask you to confirm actions directly on its screen — a crucial safety feature.

  3. Choose login path:

    If you already initialized your device, choose Restore from recovery phrase or Already have a device. If you are new, initialize as a new device and follow prompts to create a PIN. Ledger® Live: Login | Getting started™ with Ledger® recommends creating a unique PIN and writing down the 24-word recovery phrase offline.

  4. Grant Ledger Live access:

    Ledger Live will detect the connected device and request permission to communicate. Confirm the connection on the device. All transaction signing and key operations happen on-device; Ledger Live acts as the user interface.

  5. Finish login and add accounts:

    After pairing, add blockchain accounts (Bitcoin, Ethereum, etc.) inside Ledger Live. The app will synchronize balances and transaction history. From this point, "logging in" is essentially opening Ledger Live and connecting the physical device; sensitive confirmations still require you to interact with the ledger device.

Remember: Ledger Live is a bridge to your hardware wallet — never a replacement for the device's security guarantees.

Setup & Recovery Notes

During setup, you will be guided to generate or restore a recovery phrase. Ledger® Live: Login | Getting started™ with Ledger® stresses two non-negotiable rules:

  • Write the recovery phrase physically — do not photograph, screenshot, or store it digitally.
  • Store the recovery phrase offline in a secure location (e.g., a safe or a dedicated steel backup).

If you ever need to recover accounts, use the 24-word phrase to restore on a new Ledger device. Ledger Live cannot restore accounts without that phrase.

Security Best Practices

Keep recovery phrase offline

Never enter your recovery phrase into a website or app. Ledger® Live: Login | Getting started™ with Ledger® and Ledger support will never ask for your recovery phrase.

Verify official sources

Always confirm the Ledger domain and checksum for downloads. Phishing sites often mimic official pages — double-check the URL and SSL certificate.

Apply updates promptly

Ledger Live and device firmware updates include security fixes. Apply updates only when prompted by Ledger Live and verify prompts on-device.

Use local protections

Set a strong device PIN and consider enabling an optional passphrase for an additional hidden wallet layer (advanced users only).

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Ledger Live a custodian?

No — Ledger Live is an application interface. Your private keys remain on your Ledger hardware device; Ledger Live facilitates viewing and sending transactions while the device signs them.

Can I login without the device?

You can open Ledger Live without the device to view general info, but to access accounts and sign transactions the physical device must be connected (or paired via Bluetooth on supported devices).

What if I forget my PIN?

If you forget the PIN, you must reset the device and restore it using your 24-word recovery phrase. If you do not have the recovery phrase, funds cannot be recovered.

Disclaimer

This guide — Ledger® Live: Login | Getting started™ with Ledger® — is for educational purposes only and is not affiliated with Ledger SAS. Always download software from official Ledger channels and follow Ledger's official documentation. Cryptocurrencies are volatile and involve risk. This content does not constitute financial or legal advice. You are solely responsible for securing your recovery phrase, device, and accounts. Never share your recovery phrase with anyone; legitimate support will never request it.