Ledger® Live: Login

Secure access to your Ledger hardware wallet and portfolio — sign in, manage, and transact with confidence.

Official • Secure • Open

Overview

Ledger® Live is the desktop and mobile companion for Ledger hardware wallets. The Login experience is designed to be simple, explicit, and secure: authentication relies on your physical device and its PIN, while all private keys remain isolated on the hardware. This page explains the login flow, best practices, troubleshooting steps, and how Ledger Live protects your assets.

Quick links

Download Ledger Live Get Started Guide Support

How Login Works (simple)

Ledger Live never stores or transmits your seed phrase. Login is a two-part process:

Software unlock: Open Ledger Live and (optionally) sign in with a local profile. This only unveils UI settings and portfolio cache.
Device unlock: Connect your Ledger device and enter the device PIN. This unlocks the hardware and allows Ledger Live to request signatures when you approve them on-device.

Step-by-step: Login on Desktop

1. Install & open Ledger Live

Download the official installer, install, and run the app. The app stores a local profile and encrypted cache; it does not contain your private keys.

2. Connect your Ledger device

Plug the Ledger device into your computer via USB (or pair via Bluetooth for supported devices). Use the official cable and avoid adapters that may behave unpredictably.

3. Enter your device PIN

Use the device's hardware buttons to enter your PIN. Ledger Live will show a “Device connected” indicator once the device is unlocked.

4. Open the Ledger Live account view

Your portfolio will sync with the network using public addresses and blockchain queries. For sensitive operations, Ledger Live will request signature approval from the device.

Login on Mobile

The mobile login is similar: install the Ledger Live mobile app, pair your device via Bluetooth (if supported), or connect through USB on compatible phones. The device PIN is always entered on the hardware device itself.

Security spotlight:

The critical secret is your recovery phrase (seed). Ledger Live will never ask for your seed; it only interacts with the public keys and signing capabilities of your hardware device. If any software or website requests your seed, consider it a scam and disconnect immediately.

Common Login Options

Profile PIN / Password

Ledger Live can protect the local app settings with an optional password. This is not your device PIN — it's an extra layer for local privacy.

Biometrics (Mobile)

On mobile, you can protect access to the Ledger Live app with biometrics (fingerprint/face) — the hardware unlock still requires the device PIN for signing.

Troubleshooting & Tips

If Ledger Live doesn't detect your device

Ensure the device is turned on and unlocked (PIN entered).
Try a different USB cable or port — not all cables support data transfer.
Restart Ledger Live and, if necessary, your computer.
Confirm you're running the latest Ledger Live version from the official site.

Error during signing

If a transaction fails to sign, check that the app for the relevant cryptocurrency is open on your device (e.g., Ethereum app for ETH transactions). Always verify the transaction details on your device screen before approving.

Lost device / recovery

If your device is lost but you have your recovery phrase, you can recover your accounts on a new compatible Ledger device or another supported wallet. If you lose both device and recovery phrase, funds cannot be recovered.

Performance tips

Sync may take longer the first time. Close other heavy network apps, ensure a stable internet connection, and keep Ledger Live updated.

Support resources

Official documentation, community forums, and Ledger support channels are the best places for device-specific issues. Be cautious of unofficial guides that ask for seeds or passwords.

Security: What Ledger Live protects and what you must protect

Ledger Live is part of a security model where the hardware device isolates private keys and performs cryptographic operations. Ledger Live provides the interface and network interactions but cannot sign transactions without explicit hardware confirmation.

Ledger Live protects you by:

Forcing on-device confirmation for sensitive actions (signatures).
Using secure communication channels between the app and device.
Encouraging firmware and software updates to patch vulnerabilities.
Keeping the recovery process explicit and offline-only (seed not uploaded).

You must protect:

Your recovery phrase — store it offline, physically, and never type it into a website or app.
Your device PIN — choose a PIN you can remember but is not easily guessable.
Your computer and mobile security — use antivirus, keep software updated, and avoid unknown extensions.

Phishing & scams

Never approve a signature for a transaction you did not initiate. Phishing sites may attempt to trick you into signing messages that transfer funds. Always validate the recipient address and amounts on the physical device screen before confirming.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need an account to use Ledger Live?: Ledger Live uses a local profile to store settings. Creating a profile is optional; however, a device is required to manage and sign transactions because the private keys live on the hardware.
Can Ledger Live be used offline?: Ledger Live needs network access to fetch balances, broadcast transactions, and verify network data. You can prepare some operations offline, but signing requires the device and a connection to the app to send the signed transaction.
What if Ledger Live asks for my seed phrase?: It should never ask. If any software or person asks for your full recovery phrase, it's malicious. Stop, disconnect your device, and seek support from official Ledger resources.
How often should I update Ledger Live and device firmware?: Keep both up to date. Ledger releases updates for new features and security fixes; follow official update prompts and verify releases from the official site.

Ready to securely access your wallet?

Download Ledger Live from the official site, connect your Ledger device, and follow the guided login steps. If you're new, take a few minutes to read security best practices and safely store your recovery phrase offline.

Download Ledger Live Setup Guide Contact Support