Ledger® Live: Login | Getting started™ with Ledger®
Presentation — Secure your crypto. Understand the login flow, onboarding and best practices.
Introduction & goals
This presentation is designed to guide new and returning users through the Ledger® Live login experience and first-run setup. It mixes clear step-by-step instructions with background explanations and practical security tips.
What you'll learn
- How to log in safely to Ledger® Live
- Onboarding: adding accounts and installing apps
- Recovery phrase basics and backup strategies
- Troubleshooting common connectivity or app issues
Audience
Beginner-to-intermediate crypto users, hardware wallet owners, anyone evaluating Ledger® Live as their portfolio manager.
What is Ledger® Live?
Ledger® Live is the companion application for Ledger hardware wallets. It allows users to manage multiple cryptocurrency accounts, send and receive assets, install blockchain apps on the device, and monitor portfolio performance.
Core features
- Portfolio overview and multi-asset support
- Secure transaction signing with hardware device
- Built-in buy/swap integrations (where supported)
- App management: install/uninstall blockchain apps on your device
Security fundamentals
Ledger® Live never sees your private keys. Private key operations happen on the Ledger hardware device. Your recovery phrase is the root of access — treat it like cash.
Login & first connection
Ledger® Live itself does not hold user funds — your device does. The initial physical connection and device authentication are critical. Follow these safe steps to connect for the first time.
Step-by-step
- Download Ledger® Live from the official site (verify URL and checksum).
- Install and launch the app on your computer or mobile device.
- Choose Set up as new device or Restore device only if you already have a recovery phrase.
- Follow in-app prompts to create a device name and pin on the Ledger device screen.
- Write down the 24-word recovery phrase on the provided sheet — never store it digitally.
Login nuances
Ledger® Live may ask to connect to the device and list accounts. When prompted, always verify the action on the physical device — never confirm actions only on-screen.
Onboarding: adding your first accounts
Once your device is connected and unlocked (pin entered), you can add blockchain accounts for Bitcoin, Ethereum, and other supported assets.
Install app on device
Open Ledger® Live Manager and install the needed app (e.g., Bitcoin or Ethereum) to your Ledger device. The app is what enables the device to speak that chain's language.
Add an account
In Ledger® Live, go to Accounts ➜ Add account ➜ choose the currency ➜ follow the prompts. Ledger® Live will scan for addresses and display balances.
Best practices for security
Security is layered. Hardware wallets provide strong protection, but user behavior matters. Below are recommended practices to minimize risk.
- Always verify the app and downloads from the official Ledger® domain — check PGP signatures when provided.
- Never enter your 24-word recovery phrase into a computer or phone — only on the hardware device during recovery.
- Use a strong, unique PIN and consider a passphrase for an additional hidden account layer.
- Keep firmware and Ledger® Live updated — read release notes for important security fixes.
Backup strategies
Use more than one physical copy of the recovery phrase stored in geographically separate, secure locations. Consider metal backups for fire/water resistance.
Troubleshooting common issues
Connectivity and app issues are the most common headaches. This section lists symptoms and fixes.
Device not detected
- Try a different USB cable or port (use the original cable if possible).
- Ensure the Ledger device is unlocked and the correct app is open.
- Restart Ledger® Live and your computer; check OS-level permissions for USB access.
App errors or updates
If an app is failing to open on the device, try reinstalling the app from Ledger® Live Manager. If a firmware update is required, follow the upgrade flow carefully and ensure your recovery phrase is backed up beforehand.
Privacy & network considerations
Ledger® Live may connect to third-party services for price feeds or swap/buy integrations. Understand what you share and how to limit data exposure.
- Don't link personally-identifying data unless necessary for KYC services.
- Use different accounts/addresses for privacy when managing multiple transactions.
- Consider running your own node for maximum privacy and trust-minimization.
Advanced: passphrases & hidden wallets
A passphrase (sometimes called the 25th word) creates extra hidden wallets derived from the same recovery phrase. It's powerful but risky if used incorrectly.
When to use a passphrase
Use a passphrase if you need plausible deniability, separate holdings, or additional security. Remember: losing the passphrase equals losing access to funds in that hidden wallet.
Safeguards
- Store the passphrase separately from the recovery phrase.
- Consider physical backups for the passphrase if it's long or complex.
- Test recovery on a separate device to ensure correctness before depending on it.
Common terminology (glossary)
Clear definitions help reduce mistakes. Below are concise definitions of frequent terms.
A sequence of words (commonly 24) that recovers your wallet. Keep it offline and private.
A cryptographic secret that proves ownership of funds. The device holds private keys; never share them.
Software running on the hardware device. Updates may patch vulnerabilities; only update from trusted sources.
An extra secret word or phrase that creates hidden wallets attached to the same seed — adds security and complexity.
FAQ & common questions
Q: What if I lose my device?
A: If you have your recovery phrase, you can restore funds to another compatible hardware wallet. If you lose both device and recovery phrase, funds are unrecoverable.
Q: Can Ledger® Live be used without a Ledger device?
A: Ledger® Live is designed to interface with Ledger hardware. Some read-only features might display portfolio data using public addresses, but signing transactions requires the device.
Q: Is my recovery phrase stored by Ledger?
A: No. Ledger does not store users' recovery phrases. They are generated on-device and meant to be kept offline by the user.
Journey example: Alice's first week with Ledger® Live
Story-driven examples help make abstract steps concrete. Here's a plausible onboarding story that demonstrates decisions and edge-cases.
Alice ordered a Ledger device and, upon arrival, chose a quiet, well-lit desk for the initial setup. She verified the device box seal and serial number before powering it on. During setup she wrote each word of the recovery phrase clearly on the provided card, then transcribed the words a second time to a separate backup sheet. She deliberately avoided photographing or copying these words digitally. Later, she enabled a passphrase to separate a portion of savings she wanted to keep more private. Over the next week Alice installed the Bitcoin and Ethereum apps and sent a small test transaction to verify everything worked as expected. When she needed to buy a larger amount, she used a hardware-signed transaction and confirmed details on the device display, noticing the recipient address and amount before confirming the signature. When a small firmware update appeared, Alice read the release notes and completed the update during a low-activity period, keeping her recovery phrase safe the entire time.