Ledger® Live: Login — Getting started™ | live™

Your comprehensive guide to Ledger® Live ("live™") — from download and installation to login, device connection, account management, security best practices, and troubleshooting. This page explains how Ledger® Live interacts with your Ledger hardware and how to use the live™ experience securely.

What is Ledger® Live (live™)?

Ledger® Live, often abbreviated here as live™, is the official desktop and mobile application that provides a user-friendly interface for managing cryptocurrency accounts while keeping private keys secured inside your Ledger hardware device. Ledger® Live: Login is the process used to protect local application data; it is separate from unlocking your Ledger hardware with its PIN.

Quick note: Ledger® Live never stores your private keys — they remain on your hardware device. live™ simply creates transactions that your device signs.

Supported platforms and requirements

Ledger® Live (live™) supports modern desktop and mobile platforms. Before downloading, confirm your operating system meets requirements and that you have a data-capable USB cable or Bluetooth for mobile pairing with Nano X.

  • Desktop: Windows 10/11 (64-bit), recent macOS releases, and major Linux distributions.
  • Mobile: iOS and Android — Bluetooth required for Nano X pairing.
  • Hardware: Ledger Nano S Plus, Nano X, and supported models. Keep device firmware updated using live™ Manager.

Downloading Ledger® Live (live™)

  1. Open a browser and go to https://ledger.com/start — the official source for live™ downloads.
  2. Select your device model and platform (desktop or mobile) and download the official installer or install from the App Store / Google Play.
  3. Verify the download source; for advanced users, verify cryptographic signatures where available to ensure installer integrity.

Security tip: Avoid third-party downloads and browser extensions that claim to enhance live™. Only use official releases.

Installing and initial setup

Run the downloaded installer and open Ledger® Live (live™). The first-time setup guides you through choosing "Get started" or "Already have a device", creating an optional Ledger Live application password (the local login), and preparing your hardware device.

  1. Choose Get started and select your device model.
  2. Decide to set up a new device or restore from a recovery phrase.
  3. Optionally create a Ledger® Live application password. This password encrypts local data (account labels, settings). It is not the device PIN and can be reset by reinstalling live™.

Understanding Ledger® Live: Login vs device PIN

It is important to understand the difference between the Ledger® Live application password (the live™ login) and your Ledger device PIN.

  • Ledger® Live application password (live™ login): An optional password used to encrypt and protect Ledger Live's local data on your computer or mobile device.
  • Ledger device PIN: Entered directly on your Ledger hardware to unlock it. Required to approve transactions and access device functions.

Remember: The live™ login protects the app's local data only. The device PIN + recovery phrase are the true keys to your crypto.

Initializing your Ledger device

When setting up a new Ledger device using live™, the device will ask you to pick a PIN and will generate a 24-word recovery phrase. Record the words in order on the supplied recovery card or a secure backup medium.

  1. Power on your device and select "Set up as new device" if applicable.
  2. Create a PIN using the device buttons; avoid simple or guessable numbers.
  3. Write down each of the 24 words in order. Do not store the phrase digitally or photograph it.
  4. Confirm the words on the device when prompted to complete setup.

If you ever restore your device from the 24-word seed, live™ will re-derive the same accounts and balances once you reinstall apps and add accounts.

Manager: installing and updating apps via live™

Ledger® Live's Manager is where you install blockchain-specific apps onto your device. Each app consumes device storage; uninstall unused apps to free space. App updates and firmware upgrades are delivered through live™ Manager.

  1. Open live™ and go to "Manager".
  2. Connect and unlock your Ledger device so Manager can detect it.
  3. Install apps for the cryptocurrencies you use (Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, and more).
  4. Apply firmware updates when prompted by live™ to keep the device secure and compatible.

Adding accounts in Ledger® Live

After installing apps, add accounts so live™ can display balances and transaction history.

  1. In live™, open "Accounts" and choose "Add account".
  2. Select the currency; live™ will prompt you to open the corresponding app on your device to synchronize addresses.
  3. Give accounts clear labels and repeat for additional currencies or multiple accounts per currency.

Removing an account from live™ does not delete funds; accounts are deterministically derived from your recovery phrase and can be re-added at any time.

Receiving crypto using live™

  1. Select the account in live™ and click "Receive".
  2. live™ will display a receiving address. Verify the address directly on your Ledger device screen and approve it before sharing.
  3. Use the verified address in the sending wallet or exchange and start with a small test amount.

Verifying addresses on-device prevents malware from substituting addresses shown in live™.

Sending crypto via Ledger® Live

  1. Click "Send" in live™, enter recipient and amount, choose fee level.
  2. Review the transaction in the app, then check and approve the full transaction details on your Ledger device when prompted.
  3. Only sign transactions you initiated and recognize.

Staking, DeFi and third-party integrations

live™ supports staking for certain assets and can integrate with third-party wallets and dApps. When interacting with external services, keep keys on-device and verify all requests on your Ledger screen.

Understand the permissions you grant to dApps; always verify transaction intent on-device before approving.

Security best practices for live™ users

  • Never reveal your 24-word recovery phrase. Ledger support will never ask for it.
  • Store your seed securely (paper, steel backup) and consider geographically diverse backups for redundancy.
  • Use a strong, unique Ledger® Live application password and enable auto-lock.
  • Keep the Ledger device firmware and live™ app up to date via official channels.
  • Beware of phishing: check URLs and prefer direct navigation to ledger.com rather than clicking links in messages.

Troubleshooting common live™ issues

Device not detected by live™

  • Try a different USB cable or port. Some cables are power-only and do not transmit data.
  • Unlock the device and retry connecting.
  • Restart live™ and your computer or reinstall live™ from ledger.com/start if necessary.

Firmware or app update failures

Ensure your live™ client is updated and avoid interrupting updates. If updates repeatedly fail, consult Ledger Support.

Advanced topics & recovery

Passphrases (an optional extra word) create separate wallets derived from the same 24-word seed. They offer strong privacy and security benefits but add the burden of managing another secret. Losing a passphrase results in permanent loss of access to those funds.

To recover funds, use your 24-word seed and passphrase (if used) to restore on a compatible device or wallet. live™ will then re-derive accounts and allow you to manage funds after reinstalling apps and adding accounts.

FAQ

Does live™ store private keys?

No. live™ never stores private keys. Keys remain protected on your Ledger hardware device; live™ acts as the interface.

What if I forget my live™ password?

Reinstalling Ledger® Live clears local data and the application password, but it does not affect funds. Reconnect and unlock your Ledger device to re-add accounts.

Resources