Ledger PIN Code: What You Need To Know

Your Ledger signer is the backbone of your digital asset security. It secures your private keys, allowing you to sign transactions on the blockchain, but it’s also isolated from an internet connection. This key feature is crucial for protecting your private keys from remote attacks. 

But did you know that your Ledger signer also has safeguards in place to protect it from physical access? 

That’s where your signer’s PIN code comes in: it’s the primary line of defense protecting your digital assets from those who might gain physical access to your signer.

Your Ledger signer’s PIN Code: Explained

You’re likely familiar with PIN codes as they’re commonly used for debit cards, mobile phones, and other personal devices. The idea behind them is simple: only the person who sets up the device has access to the PIN code. Anyone else won’t be able to unlock it. 

That’s why every Ledger signer is protected by a 4 – 8 digit PIN code chosen when you initiate your signer. 

Your PIN code is the first layer of security on your Ledger signer. You can’t sign a transaction on a Ledger signer without the PIN code. You can’t even update the signer’s firmware. 

If you lose your Ledger signer, it’s stolen, or otherwise falls into the wrong hands, you don’t have to worry. Without your PIN code, nobody can access your signer. Moreover, if they try to guess your PIN code, your signer will factory reset after three incorrect attempts.

How To Manage Your Ledger signer’s PIN Code

How you choose and store your PIN code will impact the security of your signer, so it’s important to take the relevant steps to safeguard it.

Choose a PIN code that is impossible to guess

Since it’s the first line of defense, choosing a strong PIN code is essential. While you can choose a PIN code of just 4 digits, 8-digit PIN codes are the hardest to crack. The more numbers you use, the less likely an attacker could guess the sequence. 

Make sure you also choose the most random number possible, as using easy-to-guess numbers such as loved ones’ birthdays puts your signer at risk.

Don’t Let Anyone Else Know Your PIN Code

You should be the only one who knows your PIN. Firstly, that means that you must set it up yourself. Secondly, always enter your PIN code out of sight and away from prying eyes. If you think someone might know what the PIN code is, change it immediately. It’s far better to be safe than sorry. 

Store Your PIN Code Offline (if you must store it at all)

The best way to store a PIN code is by memorizing it. Writing a PIN code down already opens up the possibility of it being found and read by someone else. 

If you must store your PIN code somewhere, store it offline. Cloud-based storage services and internet-connected devices (such as your smartphone and laptop) are vulnerable to hacking. If a bad actor can get hold of your PIN code and your Ledger signer, they can access your accounts.

PIN Code: Just One Element of Ledger’s Security Model

The PIN code is the first line of defense for your Ledger signer, but it’s certainly not the last. 

Ledger signers also resist physical attacks since they incorporate a Secure Element chip: a certified secure chip capable of withstanding complex physical attacks. This is also the chip used to drive a Ledger signer’s secure screen, meaning you can rest assured your screen hasn’t been tampered with and is showing the authentic transaction information.

These features are just the tip of the iceberg in Ledger’s proven Security model, providing uncompromising security for the digital asset ecosystem—and always with self-custody.

So what are you waiting for? Head to the Ledger shop to check out the full range of Ledger signers, and protect your assets with secure self-custody.

Ledger PIN Code FAQ

How many digits is the Ledger PIN Code?

The Ledger PIN code can be between 4 and 8 digits.

What happens if I get my Ledger PIN Code wrong?

You have three attempts to enter your PIN code correctly on your Ledger signer. After three incorrect attempts, your signer will factory reset, and you can only restore it using your secret recovery phrase.

Can I change my Ledger PIN code?

Yes, changing your PIN is easy. You just navigate to “Change PIN” within the “Settings” menu and from there you can select a new 4-8 digit PIN code. For a step-by-step guide, check out the help center article here.

I’ve lost or forgotten my PIN code, what do I do?

You likely received the message “Invalid PIN: x Attempts Left.” while trying to unlock your signer. This is very often due to a typo so try putting in your PIN code again. If you have forgotten your PIN—don’t worry. As long as you’ve kept your secret recovery phrase secure and accessible, you can easily recover your accounts.

Just enter an incorrect PIN code 3 times and your signer will reset automatically, erasing all of your account information. From there, you can recover your accounts using your secret recovery phrase and set a new PIN code via the wallet initialization process.

The Shift: From Hardware Wallet to signer 

Crypto may have begun as a bold experiment, but adoption has grown as the technology and user experience have rapidly evolved; the language used to describe it, has however, stayed stuck in its infancy.

We called our devices “hardware wallets,” mislabelling the role of secure hardware, and obfuscating the role of software (Ledger Live). Along the way, users were left behind.

People believed:

• That value was stored on the device (it isn’t).
• That if you lose the device, you lose your assets (you don’t).
• That the device itself was the endgame (it’s not).
• That those 24 words were a burden only tech-savvy users could manage (not true anymore).

These are more than misconceptions. They are adoption blockers. So at Ledger, we believe that clarity is essential for the next stage of adoption

We’re changing how we speak about our products. And by doing so, we’re changing how people understand digital ownership itself.

Hardware wallets  → signers

Ledger devices don’t store value. They sign transactions. They prove intent. They verify identity. They’re not vaults, they’re the secure bridge between who you are and what you do online. They don’t just hold keys. They empower you to trust yourself.

We call them signers now, because that’s what they truly are.

In a world where AI grows more powerful every day, proof of humanity matters more than ever. A signer is more than a security device, it’s your cryptographic proof of you. It gives you a secure foundation to own, authorize, and protect your digital life without relying on anyone else. From sending a transaction to signing a contract or verifying your credentials, your signer  ensures you, and only, can provide digital consent – proof of you. Together, your signer and Ledger Wallet redefine what digital ownership looks like, clear, secure, and free from compromise.