Welcome to Ledger Live
The Ledger Live Wallet is an all-in-one cryptocurrency management application created by Ledger. It connects directly to your Ledger hardware wallet, allowing you to buy, sell, swap, and stake crypto securely — while keeping your private keys safe on your device. This guide explains what Ledger Live is, how it works, and how to set it up correctly.
1. What Is Ledger Live?
Ledger Live is the official software companion for Ledger devices like the Ledger Nano X, Nano S Plus, and Nano S. It serves as the control center for your crypto portfolio, supporting hundreds of coins and tokens, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, and many more.
You can view your balances, send or receive crypto, track market performance, and manage your staking — all while keeping your private keys offline on your hardware wallet.
2. How Ledger Live Keeps You Secure
Ledger Live never exposes your private keys or recovery phrase. Your sensitive data stays within your hardware wallet chip, and every transaction must be physically confirmed on the device screen. This design protects users from online hacks and phishing attacks that target traditional software wallets.
- Private keys remain offline and encrypted.
- Every transaction must be manually confirmed on the Ledger device.
- All communications between Ledger Live and your wallet are end-to-end encrypted.
3. Downloading Ledger Live
To download the app safely, always use the official Ledger website: https://www.ledger.com/ledger-live. The application is available for Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android. Avoid downloading from unofficial links, app stores, or advertisements.
4. Setting Up Ledger Live
After installation, open Ledger Live and follow the on-screen steps to connect your hardware wallet. If you’re setting up a new device, first initialize it via ledger.com/start to create your PIN and recovery phrase.
Once your device is ready, Ledger Live will automatically detect it and prompt you to install apps for your cryptocurrencies.
5. Adding Crypto Accounts
Inside Ledger Live, go to “Accounts” and choose the currency you want to manage. Each supported blockchain requires its own app — for example, install the Bitcoin app to manage BTC, or the Ethereum app for ETH and ERC-20 tokens.
After adding your accounts, you’ll see live balances, historical value charts, and transaction history, all synced securely with your hardware wallet.
6. Using Ledger Live Features
- Send & Receive: Move crypto safely using your Ledger device to confirm each transaction.
- Buy & Sell: Access trusted exchange partners directly through the app.
- Swap: Exchange one cryptocurrency for another without leaving Ledger Live.
- Stake: Earn rewards by staking assets like Ethereum or Polkadot directly from the interface.
- Portfolio Tracking: Monitor real-time prices and asset performance.
7. Keeping Everything Updated
Ledger regularly releases updates for both firmware and the Ledger Live app. These updates improve performance and strengthen security. Always check the notifications in Ledger Live for new versions, and install updates only through the app itself.
8. Best Security Practices
- Download Ledger Live only from the official website.
- Never share your 24-word recovery phrase with anyone.
- Verify all transaction details on your Ledger device screen before confirming.
- Keep your computer and phone free of malware.
- Use a strong passphrase if you want an added layer of security.
Conclusion
The Ledger Live Wallet simplifies crypto management without sacrificing safety. Combined with your Ledger hardware wallet, it gives you full control over your digital assets — with top-tier encryption and intuitive tools to manage, grow, and protect your portfolio. To get started, download the official app from ledger.com/ledger-live and follow the setup instructions carefully.