Introduction
Ledger Live is the official companion application that ties your Ledger hardware wallet to a modern portfolio dashboard. It’s the secure bridge between your offline keys and the online services you use — everything from sending and receiving crypto to staking and viewing NFTs is handled through Ledger Live while your private keys remain safely inside your device.
What is Ledger Live?
In short, Ledger Live is a desktop and mobile app that lets you manage thousands of tokens and coins while keeping custody of your private keys offline. Available on Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android, it supports portfolio tracking, transaction signing via your Ledger device, app installation (coin-specific apps), swaps, and integrations with trusted partners for buying or selling crypto.
Getting Started — Step by Step
- Visit the official page: Go to Ledger.com/start — always use the official site to avoid phishing.
- Choose your OS: Click “Download Ledger Live” and pick Windows, macOS, or Linux (or open the app store for mobile).
- Install & open: Run the installer and launch Ledger Live. Follow initial prompts.
- Connect device: Plug in your Ledger Nano (USB) or pair via Bluetooth (Nano X). Unlock it with your PIN.
- Set up or restore: Choose “Set up as new device” to create a new wallet, or “Restore” to import with your 24-word recovery phrase.
- Install apps & add accounts: Open Manager to install coin apps and then add accounts for each cryptocurrency you hold.
- Start managing: Send, receive, swap, or stake — transactions must be confirmed on your hardware device for maximum security.
Core Features
- Hardware-backed security: Private keys never leave the device.
- Multi-asset support: Manage 5,000+ cryptos and tokens.
- Buy & swap partners: Purchase and exchange crypto via integrated, vetted providers.
- Staking & yield: Stake supported coins directly and earn rewards.
- NFT viewing: Browse and manage supported NFTs inside the app.
- Cross-platform: Desktop + mobile apps keep you in sync.
Trust & Security
Ledger’s security model centers on certified Secure Element chips and a device-first verification flow: every transaction must be approved on your Ledger device screen. Ledger Live acts as a user interface only — it never exposes your seed. Always download Ledger Live from Ledger.com/start, verify firmware prompts on your device, and never enter your 24-word recovery phrase into a computer or website.
Disclaimer
This guide is informational and not affiliated with Ledger SAS. Cryptocurrency is risky; perform your own research. Use official links (Ledger.com/start) for downloads and support, and protect your recovery phrase offline — Ledger cannot recover it for you.