Ledger Live Wallet™
Sign In Your Device®
Welcome to Ledger Live Wallet™ — the secure desktop interface to manage your crypto assets while keeping your private keys offline. Let’s guide you through how to sign in with your device and get started safely. 🔐
Table of Contents
- Why “Sign In Your Device”?
- Requirements & Precautions
- Download & Launch
- Initial Setup (Create or Restore)
- Connect & Sign In Your Device
- Manage Accounts
- Receive Assets
- Send Assets
- Firmware & App Updates
- Special Features
- Security Tips
- Troubleshooting
- Wrap Up
1. Why “Sign In Your Device”?
Unlike typical wallets, Ledger Live Wallet™ uses your physical device as a security anchor. You never reveal private keys or seed phrases to your computer — instead, you sign in using your device itself. 💡
- Your private keys remain on the hardware device at all times.
- All transactions or actions are authorized via your device only.
- No password stored on PC — just device-based authentication.
- Minimizes risk from malware or phishing attacking your workstation.
2. Requirements & Precautions
Before you begin, make sure you’ve got everything in place:
- A genuine Ledger hardware wallet (Nano S Plus, Nano X, Stax, etc.).
- A data-capable USB cable (not charge-only).
- A computer (Windows, macOS, Linux) with stable internet.
- Paper and pen or durable medium to record recovery phrase.
- A calm, secure workspace with no distractions.
⚠️ Never enter your 24‑word recovery phrase into any computer or website. Ledger or official support will never ask for it.
3. Download & Launch
- Go to the official Ledger site to download Ledger Live Wallet™.
- Select the correct version for your operating system.
- On Linux, mark it executable, e.g.
chmod +x LedgerLiveWallet.AppImage
.
- Run the installer and follow the setup wizard.
- Launch the application once installation completes.
🚀 If your OS flags the app as from an unknown developer, you may need to approve it within system security settings — only accept if downloaded from Ledger’s official source.
4. Initial Setup (Create or Restore)
On first run, you’ll see an option to either set up a new device or restore an existing one:
- Click Get Started.
- Choose your device model.
- Select either Create New or Restore from Recovery Phrase.
- Follow on-device prompts:
- Set your PIN (4–8 digits).
- Write down your 24‑word recovery phrase in order.
- Confirm certain words when prompted.
- Back in the app, confirm setup to proceed.
🔄 If restoring, the wallet regenerates all accounts and settings from your seed phrase.
5. Connect & Sign In Your Device
This is the core step: linking your device and “signing in” securely.
- Connect the Ledger to your computer via USB.
- Unlock it with your PIN.
- Open the built‑in “Ledger Manager” app if prompted.
- The app will prompt you to sign in via your device. Review the challenge on the device and confirm.
- Optionally, enable “Genuine Check” so the app always confirms your hardware is authentic. ✔️
6. Manage Accounts
After signing in, you can add and organize accounts for various cryptocurrencies.
- Go to the Manager section in the app.
- Install the required blockchain app (e.g. Bitcoin, Ethereum) on your device.
- Navigate to Accounts → Add Account.
- Select currency, open its app on the device, and scan for existing addresses.
- Label accounts to help you keep them organized.
- Repeat to add more.
🔁 Removing an app from the device doesn’t delete your funds — everything can be derived again from your recovery phrase.
7. Receive Assets
- Select the account you wish to receive into.
- Click Receive.
- Connect and unlock your device, then open the respective blockchain app.
- The app generates an address; verify that the address shown in the software matches the one on your device — only share the confirmed one.
🛡️ Do not trust an address shown only on your screen without verifying on the device — malicious software could tamper it.
8. Send Assets
- Open the account from which you will send.
- Click Send.
- Input recipient address, amount, and if allowed, fee settings.
- Click Continue to build an unsigned transaction.
- On your device, review every detail: amount, destination, fees.
- If correct, approve the transaction on the device. The app will broadcast it.
- Track the transaction until confirmed.
💡 When sending to a new address, consider doing a small test transaction first to confirm correctness.
9. Firmware & App Updates
To maintain security and compatibility, keep firmware and blockchain apps up to date.
- Go to Manager inside the app.
- If firmware updates are available, the app will prompt you.
- Follow instructions — never disconnect the device during firmware updates.
- Install or remove blockchain apps as needed.
⚠️ Removing an app from your device doesn’t remove your accounts or funds.
10. Special Features
Ledger Live Wallet™ includes enhanced tools:
- Portfolio Overview: View net worth, asset breakdowns, and performance charts.
- Staking / Delegation: Stake supported coins directly in the app.
- Swap / Bridge: Exchange assets or bridge between chains via partners.
- NFT Support: View, send, and receive supported NFTs in your collections.
- Third‑Party DApp Integration: Use WalletConnect or dApps while preserving offline signing.
- Export & Reporting: Export transaction logs for taxes or record keeping.
11. Security Tips
Your crypto’s security depends heavily on what you do. Here are best practices:
- Always verify transaction details on the physical device screen.
- Use the optional app password in the software to lock features.
- Keep your 24‑word recovery phrase offline, and ideally on durable media.
- Never photograph or store your seed phrase digitally.
- Beware phishing — only use bookmarked official sites, never follow suspicious links.
- Allow automatic updates (if comfortable) to stay current.
- If using a passphrase (a secret “25th word”), understand that losing it means losing access to funds.
- Avoid using public or compromised computers for any crypto activity.
12. Troubleshooting
Device Not Recognized
Try changing the USB cable or port (avoid hubs), unlock device first, or restart the app or computer.
Firmware Update Failed or Device Frozen
Reconnect the device, restart the software, and attempt again. If necessary, follow official recovery steps.
Balances Missing or Accounts Not Showing
Remove and re-add the account; ensure the blockchain app is installed; double-check network settings.
Forgot PIN
Three incorrect attempts wipe the device. You’ll need to restore using your 24‑word seed.
Manager Tab Stuck / Not Loading
Clear local cache or reinstall the app. Some users resolve by disabling firewall or proxy temporarily.
Transaction Pending Too Long
Network congestion? Consider raising fee (if possible) or waiting. Use a blockchain explorer to monitor status.
Error: “App Not Open on Device”
Ensure you have launched the corresponding blockchain app on your device before attempting actions in software.
13. Wrap Up
You’ve now seen how to securely sign in your device to Ledger Live Wallet™, add accounts, send and receive crypto, and use advanced features — all while keeping your private keys offline. 🔒
Next steps you can explore:
- Browse the Portfolio view to see performance over time.
- Stake a small amount on a supported chain.
- Try a small test swap or transfer.
- Export transactions and review reports.
- Visit Ledger’s support or community forums if you hit any issues.