In the rapidly evolving world of cryptocurrencies, security and control are more important than ever. Ledger® Live is the official companion app designed to work seamlessly with Ledger hardware wallets, offering users a secure, intuitive, and comprehensive way to manage digital assets. Whether you are a beginner exploring crypto for the first time or an experienced investor managing a diversified portfolio, Ledger Live provides the tools you need to stay in control.
This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about Ledger® Live — from installation and setup to managing assets, staking crypto, and maintaining best-in-class security practices.
Ledger® Live is an all-in-one desktop and mobile application developed by Ledger to manage cryptocurrency assets securely. It connects directly with Ledger hardware wallets such as Ledger Nano S Plus, Ledger Nano X, and Ledger Stax, ensuring that private keys never leave the device.
Unlike traditional software wallets, Ledger Live works alongside a hardware wallet, meaning sensitive operations like transaction signing happen in a secure, offline environment. This significantly reduces the risk of hacking, malware, and phishing attacks.
Getting started with Ledger Live is simple. The application is available for Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android, ensuring cross-platform compatibility.
Always verify that you are downloading Ledger Live from the official source to avoid counterfeit or malicious software.
Once Ledger Live is installed, you can connect your Ledger hardware wallet to begin setup. Users can either initialize a new device or restore an existing wallet using a recovery phrase.
For new users, Ledger Live provides a step-by-step guide to initialize the hardware wallet, create a PIN, and generate a 24-word recovery phrase. This recovery phrase is the master key to your assets and must be stored securely offline.
If you already own a Ledger wallet, you can restore access by entering your recovery phrase. Ledger Live will then synchronize your accounts and balances automatically.
Ledger Live allows you to manage a wide range of cryptocurrencies including Bitcoin, Ethereum, XRP, Litecoin, and thousands of ERC-20 and other blockchain tokens.
Users can add accounts for different assets, view balances, track performance, and review transaction histories — all from one unified dashboard.
One of Ledger Live’s standout features is the ability to buy, sell, and swap cryptocurrencies directly within the app through trusted third-party providers.
This integration allows users to avoid transferring assets to external exchanges, reducing exposure to security risks while maintaining full custody of funds.
Ledger Live supports staking for select cryptocurrencies such as Ethereum, Polkadot, Solana, and Tezos. Staking enables users to earn passive rewards while maintaining control of their assets.
The app provides clear insights into staking rewards, lock-up periods, and validator performance, making it easier for users to participate confidently.
Security is at the core of Ledger Live. Private keys are stored exclusively on the Ledger hardware device and never shared with the app or online services.
Ledger Live also includes transaction verification on the hardware wallet screen, ensuring that users approve every operation physically.
Yes, Ledger Live is completely free to download and use. Fees may apply when buying, selling, or swapping crypto through third-party providers.
Ledger Live is designed to work with Ledger hardware wallets. While you can explore some features without a device, full functionality requires a Ledger wallet.
Ledger Live supports thousands of cryptocurrencies and tokens across multiple blockchains, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, and many others.
Yes, Ledger Live is considered highly secure because private keys are stored on the hardware wallet and never exposed online.
If your device is lost, you can restore access to your funds using your 24-word recovery phrase on a new Ledger device.