What is Ledger® Live?
Ledger® Live is a unified application for sending, receiving, buying, swapping, staking, and tracking crypto assets. Available for Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS and Android, it connects to Ledger® hardware wallets (Nano S Plus, Nano X, Ledger Stax) so private keys stay isolated on the device. Ledger Live displays portfolio balances, transaction history, and market data without ever exposing your seed phrase or private keys to your computer or the internet.
Core Features
- Account Management: Add multiple accounts for Bitcoin, Ethereum, thousands of tokens, and more.
- Secure Transactions: Create transactions in the app and confirm them on your Ledger device to sign.
- Buy & Swap: Integrated partner services let you buy or swap assets without leaving the app.
- Staking & Earnings: Stake supported assets and track rewards directly in Ledger Live.
- Portfolio & Analytics: View allocations, price charts, and transaction exports for tax reporting.
- Device Management: Install/uninstall blockchain apps, update firmware, and run Genuine Check.
Getting Started — Quick Setup
- Download Ledger Live from the official start page and install the app for your platform.
- Open Ledger Live and follow the onboarding wizard: set preferences and enable security options.
- Connect your Ledger hardware wallet with the supplied cable (or Bluetooth for Nano X) and unlock with your device PIN.
- Use Ledger Live’s Manager to verify device genuineness and update firmware if required.
- Install blockchain apps (Bitcoin, Ethereum, etc.) on the device and add accounts in Ledger Live.
Remember: Your 24-word recovery phrase is generated on-device. Write it down offline and never enter it into any computer or website.
How Transactions are Secured
Ledger Live prepares transactions locally and sends the unsigned data to your Ledger device. The device displays the recipient address, amount, and fee — you must physically verify and approve these details on-device. Only after confirmation does the signed transaction leave the device and broadcast to the network. This separation prevents malware on your computer or phone from silently altering transaction details.
Privacy & Advanced Options
Ledger Live stores portfolio metadata locally (not on Ledger servers) and supports privacy-conscious features:
- Passphrase-protected wallets: Add a secret passphrase to create hidden wallets (advanced).
- Coin control: Manage unspent outputs for Bitcoin to improve privacy and fee control.
- Exportable data: Export transaction history for accounting or tax purposes while keeping keys offline.
Troubleshooting & Best Practices
- Only download from the official Ledger start page or app stores; avoid third-party installers or APKs.
- Verify on-device: Always check addresses and amounts on the Ledger screen before approving.
- Keep firmware and Ledger Live updated — updates include security patches and new coin support.
- Use strong PINs and app locks on mobile/desktop for local privacy.
- Use trusted cables and ports for firmware updates; avoid public computers for sensitive operations.
