Ledger® Live: Login | Secure Access to Your Wallet

What is Ledger Live?

Ledger Live is the official desktop and mobile application that communicates with your Ledger hardware wallet. It displays account balances, transaction history, price charts, and lets you install blockchain-specific apps on your device. Ledger Live acts as an interface — it does not hold your private keys. Keys remain safely stored on your Ledger device.

How "login" works — the important difference

Unlike web services that require an email and password, Ledger Live’s access model is centered on your physical device and its PIN. There is no cloud account that stores your private keys. To access your funds you unlock your Ledger device with the PIN and open Ledger Live locally on your computer or phone. Because your seed phrase and private keys never leave the device, the highest value of protection comes from keeping your recovery phrase offline and secure.

Download and install (quick steps)

1. Go to Ledger’s official downloads page and select your platform (Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android).
2. Download the official installer or app store entry. Avoid third-party mirrors and search engine ads that can be spoofed.
3. Run the installer and follow on-screen prompts. On mobile, install from the official App Store / Google Play listing.
4. Open Ledger Live. On first run you’ll be guided through onboarding where you either create a new device or restore one using your recovery phrase.

Set up your Ledger device

During onboarding the Ledger device will ask you to set a PIN and will generate a recovery phrase (commonly 24 words). The device displays the words on its screen — write them down exactly in order on the supplied recovery sheet or another secure physical medium. Never store the recovery phrase digitally (screenshots, cloud storage, text files) and never share it with anyone.

Adding accounts & installing apps

Ledger devices use small blockchain-specific apps to manage different currencies. In Ledger Live you will:

• Open the Manager tab to install the needed app (for example, Bitcoin or Ethereum) on your device.
• Use the Accounts tab to add and sync an account for a supported currency.

Installing an app does not expose your keys — the app runs on the device and interacts with Ledger Live to show balances and sign transactions when you approve them.

Receive crypto — safe receiving process

To receive funds, use Ledger Live’s Receive function for the chosen account. Important: always verify that the address shown in Ledger Live matches the address displayed on your Ledger device before sharing it. This ensures the address wasn’t modified by malware on your computer.

Send crypto — step-by-step

1. Open Send in Ledger Live and select the account and amount.
2. Confirm the recipient address and fee options in the app.
3. Approve the transaction on your Ledger device. The final cryptographic signature happens on-device.

Always verify the full destination address on the device screen before approving. If anything looks off, cancel and re-check the recipient address.

Convenience features — balanced with security

Ledger Live offers conveniences like price tracking, portfolio aggregation, notifications, and mobile biometric unlocking. These features are optional — enable them only if you understand the tradeoffs. Biometric unlock on mobile improves usability but does not replace the device PIN and recovery phrase: the hardware device remains the ultimate control point.

Keeping Ledger Live & your device updated

Firmware and app updates contain security fixes and new features. Ledger Live will notify you when updates are available. Always follow the on-device instructions and only approve updates when you initiated them — do not allow updates pushed by unknown installers. If a firmware update is required, the app will show clear, step-by-step prompts to complete the process safely.

Troubleshooting common issues

Device not detected

Try a different USB port or cable and ensure the device is unlocked with the PIN. For mobile, ensure you have granted Bluetooth permissions if using a Bluetooth-enabled Ledger model. If your OS requires a driver, follow the official instructions; avoid third-party driver packages.

Firmware update failed

Disconnect and reconnect the device, restart Ledger Live, and try again. If the device remains unresponsive, consult official recovery documentation for your model.

App crashes / inconsistent balances

Syncing issues can be resolved by reopening Ledger Live or refreshing the account. Reinstalling Ledger Live can help but ensure you have your recovery phrase before taking any destructive steps.

Security best practices checklist

• Download Ledger Live only from the official site or official app stores.
• Never share or type your recovery phrase anywhere.
• Confirm transaction and address details on the device screen before approving.
• Consider a physical steel backup for your recovery phrase for long-term resilience against fire or water damage.
• Keep firmware and Ledger Live up to date and verify updates on-device.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need an email or password to use Ledger Live?

No — Ledger Live is a local application that pairs with your Ledger device. Your funds are controlled by the device and the recovery phrase, not by an online Ledger account.

What if I forget my PIN?

If you forget the PIN you must reset the device and restore from your recovery phrase on a new device. Without the recovery phrase, you cannot recover access to the funds associated with that seed.

Can I use Ledger with third-party wallets?

Yes — many third-party wallets and dApps support Ledger hardware. When using them, make sure you verify transactions on your Ledger device and only connect to reputable services.