Ledger® Live — Login & Getting started™

Access, manage and grow your crypto securely with Ledger®’s desktop and mobile apps.

Welcome to Ledger® Live

Ledger® Live is the companion app for managing your hardware wallet and your crypto portfolio. Whether you’re new to hardware wallets or returning, this guide walks you through login, setup, and first transactions — step-by-step.

Secure login

Learn how to log in safely using your Ledger device — no passwords stored in the cloud.

Portfolio view

Track balances, assets, and performance across accounts in a clear dashboard.

Apps & DApps

Install apps, interact with decentralized applications and sign transactions securely.

Native staking + swaps

Stake compatible assets and swap tokens directly from Ledger Live with integrated partners.

Quick Start — 5 steps
  1. Download Ledger® Live for your OS and install the app.
  2. Connect your Ledger hardware device and enter your PIN on the device.
  3. Open Ledger Live and choose Manager to install the apps you need (e.g., Ethereum).
  4. Use Accounts to create or restore an account from your device.
  5. Send, receive, stake, or swap tokens — always confirm on your Ledger device.

Getting started — a detailed walkthrough

This guide assumes you have a Ledger hardware device (e.g., Ledger Nano S, Nano S Plus, Nano X) and a desktop or mobile device. Below we expand each step with safety-first guidance, visual expectations, and best practices for backing up and recovering your assets.

1. Download & Verify

Always download Ledger® Live from the official Ledger site. Verify the checksum or signature if you are security conscious. Use your operating system's installer and grant only the permissions necessary to run the app. Avoid third-party mirrors or unofficial builds to prevent tampering.

2. Unbox and prepare your Ledger device

When you unbox the device, check for physical tampering. Ledger devices ship with a factory-sealed package — if the seal is broken, contact support. Initialize the device using the onboard screen and set a PIN. Ledger's firmware will guide you to generate a recovery phrase — write this on the provided sheet and store it offline and in multiple secure locations. Never photograph, screenshot, or store your recovery phrase digitally.

3. Install Ledger Live & Manager

Open Ledger Live and follow the onboarding screens. Use the Manager tab to install only the cryptocurrency apps you need on your hardware device (e.g., Bitcoin, Ethereum). Each app on the device provides a secure environment for a particular blockchain.

4. Create accounts

In the Accounts section, add accounts by selecting a currency and letting your Ledger device derive addresses. Ledger Live will show your address balances after scanning the blockchain. You can create multiple accounts per currency if desired and label them for easy reference.

5. Sending & receiving

To receive funds, create a receive address in Ledger Live and verify it on your device screen — this ensures the address shown in the app hasn't been altered. For sending, prepare the transaction in Ledger Live and ALWAYS verify the amount, destination address, and fees directly on your hardware device before confirming. If anything looks off, cancel and double-check.

6. Backups & recovery

Recovery phrases are the single most important backup — treat them like money. Use a fireproof safe, metal backup plate, or secure deposit box. If your device is lost or damaged, your recovery phrase is how you'll recover funds on a new Ledger device or compatible wallet. Do not share the phrase with anyone, and beware of phishing attempts asking for it.

7. Extra tips

  • Enable a secure PIN and consider using a passphrase for additional security if you understand the risks and recovery implications.
  • Keep your Ledger device firmware and Ledger Live up to date to benefit from security patches and new features.
  • Use official Ledger documentation for advanced operations like coin splitting, multi-signature setups, or enterprise workflows.