Overview
Ledger Live is the desktop and mobile companion application for Ledger hardware wallets. It provides a safe, user-friendly interface for holding and interacting with cryptocurrencies while keeping private keys offline on Ledger devices like Ledger Nano S and Nano X. With Ledger Live you get a single place to view your portfolio, manage applications, perform swaps, stake supported tokens, and confirm transactions on-device.
Why use Ledger Live?
The core advantage of Ledger Live is separation of concerns: private keys never leave your hardware wallet. The app acts as a trusted interface that builds transactions and displays them to you, while the Ledger device cryptographically signs each operation. This model reduces attack surface compared with hot wallets and gives users a pragmatic tradeoff between convenience and security.
Safe key storage
Private keys remain on the device — protected by a PIN and optional passphrase —employing secure elements validated by independent audits.
Portfolio & accounts
Easily add accounts for Bitcoin, Ethereum, and many altcoins. See balances, recent activity and historical charts in one place.
Buy, swap & send
Integrated partners let you buy crypto with fiat, swap between assets, and send tokens — all while requiring on-device confirmation.
Staking & rewards
Stake supported coins directly from the app to earn passive rewards without surrendering custody of your keys.
Getting started
Setup begins by downloading Ledger Live for your platform (Windows, macOS, Linux or Android/iOS). Create a new wallet or restore an existing one using your 24-word recovery phrase. Ledger Live guides you to install the appropriate apps on your Ledger device, add cryptocurrency accounts, and run a first test transaction. Always verify the device screens and never share your recovery phrase — Ledger staff will never ask for it.
How transactions work
When you create a transaction in Ledger Live the app constructs the data, then sends it to the Ledger device for signing. The device displays human-readable transaction details (amount, destination, fees) and only signs when you approve on-device. This two-step flow ensures that a compromised computer cannot secretly authorize transfers because the physical device must confirm each operation.
Advanced features & integrations
Ledger Live supports advanced interactions and community tools: connect to decentralized apps using Web3 providers, use custom networks, manage NFTs, or export public keys for advanced workflows. Integration partners enable fiat on-ramp, cross-chain swaps and portfolio analytics while preserving on-device signing.
Security best practices
A few concrete rules drastically reduce your risk: keep your recovery phrase offline in a secure place, use the PIN lock and optionally a passphrase, verify addresses on-device, and always get Ledger Live and your device firmware from official sources. Treat your device as the one trusted root — if you ever suspect compromise, move funds to a seed you control and keep receipts of legitimate firmware updates.
For individuals and teams
Whether you’re an individual HODLer or a small team managing organizational holdings, Ledger Live scales. Individuals benefit from simple flows like buying and staking. Organizations can layer multi-signature workflows and institutional-grade custody solutions that integrate with Ledger hardware to add operational controls and auditing.
Closing thoughts
Ledger Live brings together usability and a strong security model. It’s designed to let people interact with modern crypto without exposing their private keys. The app evolves with new protocols and community needs, and it remains focused on one goal: enabling safe, everyday management of digital assets.