Secure crypto management for desktop and mobile — pair your Ledger hardware, manage assets, stake, swap, and keep firmware up to date with hardware-backed signing.
Ledger Live is the official application developed by Ledger to provide a user-friendly yet secure interface to manage cryptocurrency assets using Ledger hardware wallets (e.g., Ledger Nano S Plus and Ledger Nano X). It combines account management, portfolio analytics, staking and swap integrations, device firmware management, and security tools in a single, audited application. The core security principle is simple: private keys stay on your Ledger device; Ledger Live only prepares transactions and forwards them to the device for signing.
Software-only wallets are convenient but expose private keys to the operating environment. Ledger Live paired with a Ledger device introduces a hardware security boundary. This separation dramatically reduces the attack surface for theft, making Ledger Live suitable for users who hold meaningful amounts of crypto or interact with decentralized finance.
Always download Ledger Live from the official Ledger website at ledger.com/start. Verify the domain and, where possible, checksums or signatures to ensure the installer is untampered. Ledger Live is available for Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android. Install following the platform-specific prompts and allow the app to communicate with your Ledger device via USB (desktop) or Bluetooth (mobile for Nano X).
Ledger Live never asks for your twenty-four-word recovery phrase. If any prompt requests your seed, treat it as a phishing attempt and disconnect immediately.
Ledger Live supports an extensive list of blockchains and tokens, and it allows multiple accounts per blockchain. Each account reflects addresses derived from your device's seed phrase. Ledger Live shows balances, transaction history, and token metadata. For assets that require separate tooling (e.g., certain NFTs or non-standard tokens), Ledger Live offers integrations or recommends compatible third-party wallets.
Receive: Generate a receive address in Ledger Live and verify it on the device before sharing. This prevents address substitution attacks.
Send: Create a transaction in Ledger Live, review gas/fee options and the recipient address, then confirm the signed payload on your Ledger device. The device displays the crucial information so you can validate authenticity independent of the host app.
Best practice: For new or large recipients, send a small test transaction first to confirm the end-to-end flow.
Ledger Live integrates with trusted liquidity and fiat partners so you can swap tokens or buy crypto directly inside the app. Swap and buy quotes are fetched from partners, and when you accept a quote Ledger Live prepares the transaction; signing is completed on-device. Note that buy/sell services often require KYC and may charge fees. Regional availability varies by partner.
Ledger Live supports staking for several proof-of-stake networks. Stake directly from your ledger device while keys remain on-device. Ledger Live displays expected rewards, validators, and unbonding periods. Always research a validator’s reputation and fees before delegating funds.
Ledger Live includes a Manager for installing coin-specific apps on your device and applying firmware updates. Firmware updates may include critical security patches and feature improvements. Always follow the official update prompts and confirm each step on the device. If an update fails, Ledger Live provides recovery instructions; contact official support but never disclose your recovery phrase to support staff or anyone else.
Ledger’s security model separates the signing environment (the hardware device) from the network-facing software (Ledger Live). This model reduces risks such as key exfiltration and unauthorized transactions. Practical security recommendations:
Ledger Live collects minimal telemetry intended to improve product functionality. Telemetry settings are user-configurable; consult Ledger’s privacy documentation for precise details. For privacy-conscious users, Ledger Live can be used with restricted telemetry or in offline inspection modes for certain workflows.
Ledger Live works with a wide ecosystem: exchange and swap partners, staking providers, and developer libraries. Integrations are designed so that signing always occurs on the device. Developers can use Ledger's SDKs and APIs to build secure signing flows into apps — always prefer official libraries and follow recommended security patterns.
Ledger Live evolves with the crypto ecosystem — supported assets, partner services, and features expand over time. Always use official downloads, keep firmware updated, and follow security best practices when managing crypto assets.