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

Concise step-by-step onboarding — secure hardware wallet basics, login, setup, and first transactions.

Overview

What this guide covers

This short presentation explains how to login to Ledger® Live, initialize your device, set up a secure recovery, and perform your first account add and receive transaction. It assumes you already own a Ledger hardware device (Nano S, Nano X, or similar). The focus is safety-first: protecting your recovery phrase, verifying the device, and using Ledger Live's built-in security prompts.

Goals

By the end you'll be able to: securely login with Ledger Live, connect your device, add cryptocurrency accounts, verify addresses on-device, and send/receive test funds.

Intended audience

New Ledger users and anyone who wants a crisp refresher.

Quick Start — Login & Connect

Step 1 — Install Ledger Live

Download Ledger Live from the official Ledger website and install the desktop or mobile app. Always confirm the URL and checksum on Ledger's site to avoid fake installers. Open Ledger Live and choose "Get started".

Step 2 — Connect your device and unlock

Plug in your Ledger device, unlock it by entering your PIN on the device, and choose the appropriate Ledger Live option to connect. Allow the app to establish a secure channel — Ledger Live will prompt you to verify the connection on the device screen.

Step 3 — Restore or create

If this is a new device, follow the "Set up as new device" flow and write down your 24-word recovery phrase. If you already have a recovery phrase, choose "Restore" and enter it using the device. Never enter your recovery phrase into a computer or phone — only on the hardware device when prompted.

Adding Accounts & First Transaction

Add an account

In Ledger Live, go to Accounts → Add account → select a cryptocurrency (for example Bitcoin), then follow on-screen steps to open the corresponding app on your Ledger device. Ledger Live will scan and display accounts available for that coin. Choose the account you want to add.

Receive funds (verify address)

Click Receive in Ledger Live. The app will display an address and prompt you to verify the same address on your Ledger device — always confirm the address on-device before sharing it. This guarantees the address wasn't tampered with by malware on your computer.

Send funds (safety checks)

When sending, Ledger Live composes a transaction and your device will show the destination and amount for final approval. Verify everything on the device screen before confirming; Ledger's security model relies on the device's isolated display.

Security Best Practices

Recovery phrase handling

Keep your 24-word recovery phrase offline and never share it. Store it in a safe (metal backup recommended). If someone obtains your recovery phrase you lose control of funds.

Device verification

Always check the device boot screens and firmware version. Only update firmware through Ledger Live after verifying release notes on Ledger's official site.

Pro tip: Use a separate PIN from other device pins and enable passphrase features only if you understand their implications.

10 Office Links & Resources

Quick links to office-style resources and references for training or team distribution.

10-step timeline
00:00 Install 01:00 Connect 02:00 Unlock 03:00 Create/Restore 04:00 Secure Phrase 05:00 Add Account 06:00 Receive 07:00 Verify Addr 08:00 Send 09:00 Confirm

Appendix — Useful commands & snippet

CLI safety note

Ledger Live offers advanced integration options; for most users the desktop app is sufficient. If you integrate via CLI or third-party wallet, ensure you validate signatures and endpoints.

<!-- Example: always confirm address on-device before sharing -->
// No code should request your 24-word recovery phrase.
// Never type your recovery phrase into any application.