This guide walks you through safely logging into your Ledger device (Ledger Nano S / X / S Plus) and Ledger Live app. Follow each step carefully to avoid common pitfalls and keep your crypto safe.
Never enter your 24-word recovery phrase into a website, a phone app (other than Ledger Restore on the device), or send it by chat or email. Ledger will never ask for your recovery phrase.
Ledger Live is the official desktop and mobile app for managing accounts on your Ledger device. Download it only from the official Ledger website. Installing from other places risks malware.
Physically connect your device to your computer or pair via Bluetooth (Nano X). Then unlock the device using your PIN.
Enter your device PIN directly on the Ledger's screen. The PIN can be 4-8 digits by default.
Tip: If you enter the wrong PIN three times, the device will wipe itself automatically. This is a security feature to prevent brute-force attacks. Only restore from your recovery phrase if this happens.
With your device unlocked, open Ledger Live and follow these actions:
Every transaction must be confirmed on the Ledger device — this ensures that even if your computer is compromised, an attacker cannot sign transactions without your physical device.
If your device was reset, lost, or you bought a new Ledger, you can restore your wallet using your recovery phrase — only use the recovery phrase on an official Ledger restore.
Important: Restoring on a device is safe when done on the physical Ledger hardware. Do not use online tools or third-party apps to restore your recovery phrase.
When Ledger Live performs firmware or app management, you may be asked to allow the manager on the device. Only approve if Ledger Live is open and you initiated the action.
If wiped after wrong PIN attempts, you must restore from your recovery phrase. If you do not have it, the funds are unrecoverable.
Write your 24 words on the recovery sheet and store it in a safe or other secure offline location. Consider geographic redundancy (two safe deposit boxes) for high-value holdings.
Regularly check Ledger Live's Manager for firmware updates. Ledger occasionally releases security updates; apply them from the official app while verifying prompts on-device.
Advanced users can enable a passphrase (25th word) to create hidden wallets. This adds security but also increases complexity — losing the passphrase means losing access to the hidden accounts.
Always verify website URLs, avoid clicking links from unknown emails, and never install browser extensions claiming to unlock your Ledger. Bookmark official Ledger pages.
Ledger can be used with third-party wallets and decentralized apps (dApps) — but take caution.
A — After three incorrect PIN attempts the device will reset (wipe). If you have your recovery phrase, choose Restore device and enter your 24 words. If you don’t have the phrase, the funds cannot be recovered.
A — Yes. Ledger Live is just an interface. Your private keys remain on the Ledger device; you can install Ledger Live on multiple machines and connect the same device.
A — Ledger Nano X uses secure Bluetooth protocols. However, for maximum security, use USB whenever possible and keep firmware up to date. Bluetooth increases convenience but slightly enlarges attack surface.