Ledger Live | Sign In Your Device™

1. What “Sign In Your Device” Means

“Sign In Your Device™” refers to authenticating and granting access between your Ledger hardware wallet and the Ledger Live companion software. This sign‑in lets Ledger Live read account data, view balances, and relay transaction requests which are then signed securely on your device.

It is **not** entering sensitive information like your recovery phrase or private key into the software. All signing must occur on the hardware device.

2. Prerequisites

Before attempting to sign in, ensure you have:

• A genuine Ledger device (Nano S, Nano X, or equivalent model).
• The correct USB / USB‑C cable (or Bluetooth if using a wireless model).
• Ledger Live installed on your computer or mobile device (latest version).
• Your device’s PIN ready (you set this during initial setup).
• At least one coin app installed (e.g. Bitcoin, Ethereum) if you already set up your accounts.

3. Launch Ledger Live & Connect Device

1. Open Ledger Live on your computer or mobile.
2. If your device is not already connected, attach it via USB (or pair via Bluetooth if applicable).
3. After connection, the app may show a prompt: “Connect your device” or “Unlock your device to proceed.”
4. On your device, enter your PIN code to unlock it.

4. Granting “Ledger Live” Access

Once your device is unlocked, Ledger Live and your hardware must communicate securely. You may see a prompt:

• “Allow Ledger Live to access your device?”
• “Grant communication permission?”

Tap “Allow” on your Ledger device (using its buttons) to confirm. This allows Ledger Live to fetch account data (balances, transaction history) without exposing your private keys.

5. Device Verification & Signature

As part of the sign‑in, Ledger Live may perform a cryptographic handshake with your device to confirm its authenticity. This ensures you are interacting with a genuine, untampered device.

You may see on the device a message like “Approve Manager” or “Verify Device”. Accept it on the device by pressing its buttons.

6. Choosing an Account to Access

After the device is authenticated, Ledger Live lets you select which coin/account(s) you want to use or view.

1. Go to the Accounts section in Ledger Live.
2. Click or tap Add Account if you haven’t yet.
3. Select the coin (e.g. Ethereum, Bitcoin). Ledger Live reads available addresses from your device.
4. Your chosen account appears—now you are “signed in” to that account for viewing and transactions.

7. Sending & Receiving After Sign In

Once signed in to an account, you can:

• Receive: Click “Receive,” choose your account, open the relevant coin app on device, verify the address on the device, then share it for incoming transactions.
• Send: Click “Send,” enter recipient and amount, confirm details on Ledger Live, but final approval must happen on your device.

8. Re‑Signing / Reconnecting When Needed

Sometimes Ledger Live might lose connection to the device (USB disconnection, timeouts). In those cases:

1. Reconnect the device.
2. Unlock with PIN.
3. Grant access again if prompted.
4. Ledger Live will reauthenticate and resume communication.

If problems persist, restart Ledger Live or your host device.

9. Troubleshooting Common Sign In Problems

If you can’t sign in, try the following:

1. Ensure the USB cable is working (try another cable or port).
2. Confirm your Ledger device is powered and unlocked.
3. Make sure the correct coin app is installed on your device.
4. Update Ledger Live and firmware to latest versions.
5. Disable interfering software (antivirus, firewall) temporarily.
6. Check for device errors like “Broken USB” or “Device not genuine”—stop and verify authenticity.

10. Best Practices & Security Guidance

• Never reveal your recovery phrase during sign in or in any session.
• Always verify transaction details on the device screen before approving.
• Only trust the official Ledger Live app—do not use clones or modified versions.
• Do small test transactions before handling large amounts.
• Periodically check which apps are installed on your device; remove unused ones.
• Be cautious of phishing: only interact via ledger.com, official support links, and never via unsolicited emails asking for access.

11. Disconnecting / Signing Out

If you want to end your session:

1. Close Ledger Live or switch away from the connected account.
2. Lock your device (some models auto‑lock after inactivity).
3. Unplug the USB / disable Bluetooth to stop communication.

Signing out ensures no further access without reauthentication.

12. Optional Features After Sign In

Once signed in, you may explore:

• Integrated swap/trade features (as permitted) to convert between supported crypto assets.
• Staking or delegating tokens in supported blockchains.
• Connecting to Web3 apps or dApps via WalletConnect or bridges (approve all on-device).
• Viewing NFTs or tokens under your account, if supported by your chain.

Always confirm and sign any action on your hardware device.

13. Keep Things Updated & Secure

Regular maintenance ensures safe sign ins going forward:

• Update firmware on your Ledger device when prompted.
• Update the Ledger Live app itself to latest version.
• Review device settings, permissions, and uninstall unused apps.
• Backup your recovery phrase in secure offline locations.
• Stay vigilant for phishing emails or unofficial communication.

14. Summary & Final Notes

“Sign In Your Device™” is the gateway for Ledger Live to interact with your hardware wallet in a safe and controlled manner. The process involves unlocking the device, granting access, verifying authenticity, and then selecting which account(s) to use.

Always remember: your private keys remain on the device and never leave it. Every transaction must be reviewed and approved manually on the hardware. Security vigilance is key.

Now you can confidently sign in, view account balances, send & receive crypto, and safely explore advanced features.