Restore your Ledger accounts with your recovery phrase

This article describes how to restore your Ledger accounts with your 24-word recovery phrase.

What you'll need

Ledger device
Get the recovery phrase to restore. BIP39/BIP44 recovery phrases are supported
A computer with at least Windows 8.1, macOS 10.14 (64-bit), or Linux Ubuntu 20.04 (64-bit) or a smartphone with at least Android 8.1 or i0S 13+.
The Ledger Live application downloaded and installed

Ledger Live features interactive setup instructions. Simply open the app to get started.

Step 1. Restore from recovery phrase

Press the button next to the USB port until the Ledger logo appears to turn on the device.
Please note: If you keep pressing the button, you will access the Bootloader menu. You have to Power Off the device and restart it.
Read the on-screen instructions. Press the right button to proceed or the left button to go back.
Press both simultaneously when Restore from recovery phrase is displayed.

Connect the Ledger Nano S to your computer using the supplied USB cable. Your device should display Welcome to Ledger Nano S.
Please contact us if the device immediately asks for a PIN code. It may not be safe to continue using this device.
Press the left or right button to navigate through the on-screen instructions.
Press both buttons simultaneously to choose the option Restore from recovery phrase.

Connect the Ledger Nano S Plus to your computer using the supplied USB-C cable. Your device should display the following: Welcome to Ledger Nano S Plus. Press right button to continue.
Please contact us if the device immediately asks for a PIN code. It may not be safe to continue using this device.
Press the right button to navigate through the on-screen instructions.
Press both buttons simultaneously to choose the option Restore from recovery phrase.

Step 2. Choose your PIN code

Press both buttons when Choose PIN with 4 to 8 digits is displayed on the device.
Press the right or left button to choose the first digit of your PIN code.
Press both buttons to validate a digit.
Repeat the process until you've entered 4 to 8 digits.
Select to confirm your PIN code of 4 to 8 digits. Use the backspace to erase a digit.
Confirm your PIN code by entering it once more.

Step 3. Enter your recovery phrase

Choose the length of your recovery phrase (12, 18, or 24 words). Press both buttons to validate.

Make sure the correct recovery phrase length is selected. Always enter all words of a recovery phrase.
Enter the first letters of Word #1 by selecting them with the right or left button. Press both buttons to validate each letter.
Choose Word #1 from the suggested words. Press both buttons to validate it.
Repeat the process until the last word of your recovery phrase.
Your device is ready is shown once you've successfully completed the setup process.
Press both buttons for 3 seconds to open the Control Center.

Anyone with access to your recovery phrase could take your assets. Store it securely.
Ledger does not keep a backup of your 24 words. Ensure you are the only holder.
Never use a device supplied with a recovery phrase and/or a PIN code.
Contact Ledger Support in case of doubt.

Invalid recovery phrase?

Make sure the correct recovery phrase length is selected. Always enter all words of a recovery phrase.
Verify that the order of the words entered on the device matches the order on your Recovery sheet.
Check that all the words of your recovery phrase are on the BIP39 word list.

When you are not using your Ledger device, please be sure to lock it to ensure that no one else can use your device.

You've successfully restored the private keys linked to the recovery phrase on your device.