Ledger Live | Secure Crypto Wallet & Portfolio

Ledger Live is the official companion application for Ledger hardware wallets. It combines portfolio tracking, transaction management, staking, app management, and dApp connectivity — all while ensuring private keys remain protected inside your Ledger device.

What Ledger Live does

Ledger Live provides a single interface to view your balances across multiple blockchains, send and receive assets, manage firmware and device apps, stake supported tokens, and connect securely to decentralized applications. It serves as the bridge between user-friendly software features and hardware-enforced security.

Supported platforms & versions

Ledger Live is available for Windows, macOS and Linux desktops, and a mobile app for iOS and Android. For the most secure experience, use the desktop app for firmware updates and critical management tasks, and keep the app updated from the official Ledger website or app stores.

Key features

Portfolio overview

See a consolidated view of your asset holdings, value changes over time, and historical performance. Ledger Live aggregates balances from all accounts derived from your device seed.

Send & receive

Initiate transactions in Ledger Live and confirm details on your Ledger device. The app helps calculate fees and supports custom fee settings for many networks.

Staking & earnings

Stake compatible tokens directly from Ledger Live to earn rewards while keeping custody of keys on the hardware device.

App & firmware management

Install or remove coin applications on your Ledger device and apply firmware updates securely through Ledger Live's built-in manager.

How Ledger Live keeps your keys safe

Ledger Live never stores or transmits private keys. All signing operations are performed on the Ledger device. Ledger Live acts as a view layer and transaction builder. Before any critical operation, Ledger Live prompts you to verify transaction details on the physical device screen and explicitly approve them using the device buttons.

Getting started: setup flow

Download Ledger Live from the official Ledger website and install it on your machine or mobile device.
Open Ledger Live and choose to set up a new device or restore an existing one. Connect your Ledger hardware device when prompted.
Follow device prompts to create a new wallet, write down the recovery phrase, and set a PIN. Alternatively, restore from an existing seed phrase.
Use the Manager tab in Ledger Live to install apps for the coins you want to use.
Add accounts in Ledger Live for each supported blockchain to view and manage balances.

Working with accounts

Each account in Ledger Live corresponds to an address set derived from your seed. You can add multiple accounts per blockchain, label them, and move funds between accounts. Ledger Live periodically synchronizes with the network to update balances and transaction history.

Connecting to dApps and third-party services

Ledger Live supports secure connections to select dApps and third-party wallets through official integrations. When interacting with smart contracts, Ledger Live helps prepare the transaction but requires you to verify the entire payload on-device before signing. For advanced DeFi interactions, inspect contract parameters carefully and prefer well-audited applications.

Security best practices

Always verify the Ledger Live download source and checksum if available.
Never share your recovery phrase — Ledger staff will never ask for it.
Confirm receiving addresses on the device display before sending funds.
Use passphrase-protected hidden accounts for extra security where needed.
Regularly update both Ledger Live and your device firmware via the Manager to receive security fixes.

Troubleshooting common problems

Device not detected: Try a different USB cable or port; ensure the device is unlocked and the correct app is open.
Transaction failures: Check network congestion and fee settings; ensure the device confirms the transaction.
Sync issues: Restart Ledger Live and re-add the account; network nodes occasionally lag or indexers differ.

Privacy considerations

Ledger Live communicates minimal information to Ledger servers: typically metadata for portfolio valuation and app catalogs. Sensitive details (private keys, passphrases) remain local. If privacy is a concern, consider using additional privacy tools and avoid reusing addresses across services.

Advanced features

For power users, Ledger Live supports custom RPC endpoints for certain networks, advanced fee controls, exportable transaction history, and support for enterprise workflows when combined with compatible custody solutions. Developers can leverage Ledger's libraries to build tailored experiences while preserving on-device signing.

FAQ

Q: Can Ledger Live move funds without my device?
A: No — moving funds always requires the Ledger device to be connected and to approve the transaction on-device.

Q: Is Ledger Live open-source?
A: Ledger publishes components of its codebase; check official repositories for details.

Conclusion

Ledger Live pairs a user-friendly interface with the hardware-backed security of Ledger devices. By following best practices — secure seed storage, device confirmation for signatures, and regular updates — you can manage and grow your crypto portfolio with confidence. Use Ledger Live as the trusted interface between your assets and the blockchain.

Download Ledger Live