Ledger Live — Your Gateway to Secure Crypto Access

Ledger Live is the companion application for Ledger hardware wallets, built to give individuals and organizations a security-first interface for holding, transacting, and managing digital assets. Whether you’re just getting started or you’re a long-time crypto holder, Ledger Live makes device-backed custody approachable without sacrificing safety.

What is Ledger Live?

Ledger Live is a desktop and mobile application that connects to Ledger hardware wallets (such as Ledger Nano S and Ledger Nano X). It’s designed to be the primary user interface for common tasks like viewing balances, sending and receiving assets, installing apps on the device, and interacting with supported third-party services — all while keeping your private keys offline on the Ledger device itself.

Think of Ledger Live as a secure dashboard: the app manages account state and provides convenience features, while sensitive operations (signing transactions, revealing seed phrases) remain isolated to the physical device you control.

Core benefits — why users choose Ledger Live

Hardware-backed security: Private keys never leave your Ledger device. Transaction approvals happen on-device, minimizing exposure to malware or remote attacks.
User-friendly interface: Clean portfolio views, easy send/receive flows, and simple onboarding reduce the friction of secure self-custody.
Cross-platform: Available for desktop (Windows / macOS / Linux) and mobile (iOS / Android) so you can check balances and initiate transactions from the platform you prefer.
Extensible ecosystem: Ledger Live integrates with many blockchains, staking providers, and third-party dApps — letting you perform a range of actions without sacrificing control of your keys.
Device management: Easily install or remove blockchain apps on your Ledger device, manage firmware updates, and recover accounts using a secure seed phrase recovery process.

Key features explained

Portfolio & activity

Ledger Live provides a consolidated view of your accounts and transaction history across supported blockchains. You can track portfolio performance over time and inspect the details of each transaction in a simple ledger-style interface.

Send & receive

Generate receive addresses and confirm outgoing transactions with the physical Ledger device. The on-device confirmation step ensures the destination and amounts are what you expect before signing.

Staking & earning

Where supported, you can stake certain proof-of-stake assets directly through Ledger Live or through partner integrations. Rewards are sent back to your accounts while your private keys remain on-device.

Buy, sell, swap

Ledger Live often includes built-in options (via third-party providers) for buying crypto with fiat, swapping between tokens, or selling. These flows are routed through trusted partners so the app itself remains focused on custody and security.

App management

Install blockchain-specific apps to your Ledger device from Ledger Live to add support for new chains. The app manager helps keep device storage optimized and firmware up to date.

Secure recovery

If your device is lost or damaged, you can restore your accounts on a new Ledger (or a compatible recovery tool) using your 24- or 12-word recovery phrase — a last-resort action that should only be performed in a trusted, offline environment.

Security — what actually keeps your crypto safe

The security model centers on separation: Ledger Live handles convenience and visibility; the Ledger hardware device stores the secret material and performs sensitive cryptographic operations. Key security practices include:

Private keys on-device: Keys are generated and used exclusively inside the secure element on the Ledger device. They never leave the device in plaintext.
On-device confirmation: Every transaction or signature requires manual approval using the device buttons or touch interface, preventing remote signing by malware.
Recovery phrase ownership: Your seed phrase is the ultimate backup. Ledger never asks for it — if any service asks you to share your seed, treat it as a red flag.
Firmware verification: Ledger devices verify firmware authenticity before installing updates to prevent tampering.
Open-source & audits: Parts of Ledger’s software stack are open to inspection and the company typically subjects components to external security reviews.

Best practices: Keep your recovery phrase offline and hidden, use a device PIN, verify device screens when approving transactions, and download Ledger Live only from the official Ledger site to avoid counterfeit installers.

Getting started — quick checklist

Download Ledger Live from the official Ledger website and install it on your desktop or mobile device.
Follow the in-app onboarding to set up a new Ledger hardware wallet or recover an existing wallet using your recovery phrase.
Install the blockchain apps you need on the Ledger device via Ledger Live’s Manager.
Create accounts in Ledger Live for the cryptocurrencies you plan to use.
Securely store your recovery phrase in a physical form (never digital), ideally using a fire- and water-resistant backup option.

Once setup is complete, practice small test transactions to validate your send/receive flow before moving larger sums.

Common questions (brief FAQ)

Do I need a Ledger device to use Ledger Live?

Ledger Live is designed to work with Ledger hardware devices. While the app may offer read-only features or partner services without a device, full custody and signing capabilities require a Ledger device.

What happens if I lose my Ledger device?

If you lose your device but have your recovery phrase, you can restore your wallet on a replacement Ledger device or another compatible recovery tool. If you lose both the device and the recovery phrase, access to funds cannot be recovered.

Can Ledger Live connect to decentralized apps (dApps)?

Yes — Ledger Live can be used with certain dApps via integrations, or you can use the Ledger device together with web wallets that support hardware signing. Always ensure you’re connecting to trusted dApps and check transaction details on your device before approving.

Who should use Ledger Live?

Ledger Live is suitable for a wide range of users: those new to crypto who want a guided, secure experience; experienced holders who need a reliable way to manage multiple chains; and anyone who prefers self-custody over third-party custodial services. It’s especially valuable when you want the convenience of a modern app without exposing private keys to the internet.

Tips for getting the most from Ledger Live

Keep firmware and Ledger Live updated to benefit from security patches and new features.
Use multiple backups (physically separated) for your recovery phrase to protect against loss or disaster.
Use small test transactions when interacting with new addresses, chains, or dApps.
Regularly review account activity in Ledger Live for any unauthorized transactions.
Educate yourself on social engineering tactics — Ledger support will never ask for your recovery phrase.