This tutorial explains how to connect Ethereum (ETH) accounts on your Ledger device to MetaMask.

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Before you start

• Download the latest version of Ledger Live using this link.
• Connect your Ledger device to Ledger Live and make sure it is running the latest firmware.
• Make sure you have the latest version of the Ethereum (ETH) app installed on your Ledger device.

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After this, close Ledger Live, as it may be incompatible with MetaMask.

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Connect your Ledger device's Ethereum (ETH) account to MetaMask

Is it possible to secure an existing Metamask account with a Ledger device?

You cannot secure your existing MetaMask account with your Ledger device. If you have assets in a MetaMask account and wish to secure them, you must create a new Ledger account via Ledger Live, or connect an existing Ledger account to MetaMask. Then, you can transfer your assets from your MetaMask account to your Ledger account, by performing a classic transaction on the blockchain.‍

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1. Go to https://metamask.io/download/ and click "Install MetaMask" for your browser.

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2. Then add the MetaMask extension to your browser.

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3. Pin the extension to your browser and select "Create a new wallet".

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!! Warning !!
- Please do not import your 24-word recovery phrase from your Ledger to MetaMask via the "Import an existing wallet" option. This would turn your Ledger device into an application wallet and compromise the security of your assets.
- Do not import a secret recovery phrase provided by MetaMask to your Ledger device. MetaMask recovery phrases are generated online. Therefore, they cannot be used securely with non-Internet storage.

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4. Accept the Terms and Conditions. Then choose a password and select Create a new wallet.

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5. Since you are using a Ledger wallet, there is no need to secure your MetaMask wallet. So select "Remind me later", then "Skip".

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6. Select "Got it!"

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7. Connect your Ledger device to your computer and open the Ethereum (ETH) app on your Ledger device. To do this, go to the Ethereum icon on your device and press both buttons simultaneously.
The message "Application is ready" will appear on your Ledger device.

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8. Open the account settings and select Hardware wallet.

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9. Select Ledger, and click Continue.

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After a few moments, a list of accounts appears. These are your Ledger accounts.

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10. Select an account by ticking the corresponding box, then click Unlock.

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11. Which account should I unlock?
- The first Ethereum (ETH) account you created in Ledger Live (Ethereum 1) will appear at the top of the list (index 1).
- You can create several Ethereum accounts simultaneously by checking several boxes and selecting Unlock. This can be useful if you want to separate your Ethereum assets.

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You're done! The Ethereum account of your Ledger device and your ETH balance will be displayed in Metamask. All your Ledger accounts connected to Metamask will be labelled "LEDGER".

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Warning! Even if your Ledger's Ethereum account is displayed in MetaMask, the private keys (recovery phrase) that allow you to manage this account remain protected by your Ledger device. MetaMask does not have access to your private keys. MetaMask is only a graphical interface that complements your Ledger device, just like Ledger Live.

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Video tutorial

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MetaMask USB connectivity problems

Some users are experiencing difficulties connecting Ledger devices to MetaMask. The two teams are currently working on a fix.

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• Firefox users: Firefox 114 is no longer compatible with U2F. It is therefore no longer possible to connect your Ledger device or other physical wallets to MetaMask. Please use other browsers that support U2F or WebHID connection (e.g. Chrome, Brave).

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• Follow the progress of the situation and the solutions identified here : MetaMask USB connectivity issues (April 2023)

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