What is Ledger Live?

Ledger Live is the official desktop and mobile application for Ledger hardware wallets. It acts as the user-friendly interface for interacting with your offline private keys that are stored on a Ledger device (e.g., Ledger Nano S, Nano S Plus, Nano X). Ledger Live provides a consolidated place to:

Key Features

Security-first design

Private keys never leave your Ledger hardware device. Ledger Live signs transactions locally on the device; only signed transactions are broadcast to the network. This isolation keeps your keys secure even if your computer or phone is compromised.

Portfolio & analytics

Ledger Live aggregates balances across accounts and chains, offers performance charts, and recent activity — helpful whether you're a casual holder or an active trader.

Multi-asset support

Ledger Live supports hundreds of cryptocurrencies and tokens across multiple blockchains. The supported list grows over time, and many tokens are accessible via third-party integrations or the Ledger Live Explorer.

Staking & earning

Stake certain PoS (Proof-of-Stake) assets directly through Ledger Live to earn rewards while keeping your keys offline. Rewards and validator choices are presented inside the app.

Why use a hardware wallet + Ledger Live?

Software wallets on phones or desktops are convenient but expose private keys to the device’s operating environment. A hardware wallet keeps keys in a tamper-resistant element. Ledger Live complements this by offering a polished UX for account management while all signing remains on-device. Benefits include:

Getting started — quick setup

This short setup walkthrough gets you from unboxing to managing assets in Ledger Live.

  1. Download Ledger Live: Install the official Ledger Live app on your desktop or mobile device from the Ledger website or official app stores.
  2. Initialize your Ledger device: Follow the on-screen guided steps to create a new wallet or restore from an existing recovery phrase. Write your recovery phrase down on the provided recovery sheet and store it in a safe place—never store the phrase digitally.
  3. Install apps: Use Ledger Live’s Manager section to install blockchain-specific apps (e.g., Bitcoin, Ethereum) on your device.
  4. Add accounts: In Ledger Live, add accounts for the blockchains you want to manage. Each account shows balances and transaction history.
  5. Send/Receive: Use the Receive button to get an address (verify it on the device). Use Send to create and sign transactions — confirm values on the hardware device before signing.

Important: Ledger will never ask for your 24-word recovery phrase. Be wary of phishing attempts. Always verify URLs and only use official Ledger software.

Security best practices

Keeping your funds safe is a combination of secure hardware, careful procedures, and good habits. Recommended practices:

Using Ledger Live with dApps and third-party services

Ledger Live integrates with many dApps and DeFi services via secure connections that still require on-device confirmations. Typical flows include:

Because transactions interact with smart contracts, always understand the contract you're approving and the exact gas/allowance permissions being requested.

Troubleshooting & common questions

My Ledger Live can't detect my device

Check cable and USB port, ensure the device is unlocked and on the dashboard, and try a different USB cable/port. For mobile, use the official Bluetooth pairing flow (for Ledger Nano X) or the mobile USB cable if supported.

How do I restore a wallet?

On a new Ledger device, choose “Restore from recovery phrase” during setup and carefully input your 24-word phrase. Use the exact same word order. After restore, open Ledger Live and add your accounts.

Can I install many apps at once?

Ledger devices have limited internal storage. Use Ledger Live’s Manager to install/uninstall apps as needed — uninstalling an app does not erase the associated blockchain accounts (they can be re-added in Ledger Live once the app is reinstalled).

FAQ

Is Ledger Live open-source?

Ledger Live includes open-source components; check Ledger’s official repositories for details about which parts are open source. The firmware running on Ledger devices is signed and verified by Ledger.

What happens if I lose my device?

Your funds can be recovered on any compatible hardware wallet or supported wallet software using your 24-word recovery phrase — so long as it remains secret and uncompromised.

Can Ledger Live manage NFTs?

Ledger Live provides visibility and management for certain NFTs on supported blockchains. NFT support can vary by chain and may require third-party viewers for full functionality.

Final notes & next steps

Ledger Live is a powerful, security-focused tool that pairs with Ledger hardware to give you full control over your crypto assets. Whether you’re new to hardware wallets or migrating an existing portfolio, prioritize security practices, verify everything on-device, and only use official Ledger sources.

Download Ledger Live