Ledger ®Live Wallet — Secure Crypto Management™

Overview — What is Ledger Live?

Ledger Live is the official desktop and mobile application that connects to your Ledger hardware device to manage cryptocurrencies, tokens, and NFTs. It keeps your private keys offline on the Ledger device while giving you a polished interface for portfolio tracking, sending and receiving assets, staking, interacting with DeFi, and more. Ledger Live is intentionally designed to provide powerful functionality without compromising security.

Core features

Get started — install & connect

Ledger Live is available for Windows, macOS, and Linux, and for iOS and Android on mobile. Always download Ledger Live from ledger.com or official app stores.

Step-by-step

1. Download Ledger Live from ledger.com/Start.
2. Install and open the app. Click Get started.
3. Choose whether you are setting up a new Ledger device or restoring an existing wallet using your recovery phrase.
4. Follow the on-screen instructions to install apps on your Ledger device (e.g., Bitcoin, Ethereum).
5. Add accounts in Ledger Live to begin tracking balances and transacting.

Security model — why it’s safe

Ledger Live is designed around a hardware-backed security model. The Ledger device stores your private keys in a secure element — an isolated chip with tamper-resistant properties. Ledger Live acts purely as a management interface; it requests signatures and displays information, but sensitive operations happen only on the device.

Key principles

• Air-gapped keys: Keys never leave the hardware device.
• On-device confirmation: Every transaction must be validated on the device display.
• Recovery phrase: The 24-word recovery phrase is the ultimate backup. Store it offline and in multiple secure locations.
• Open-source components: Parts of Ledger Live and device firmware are open-source so the community can audit security claims.

Advanced security options

• Passphrase (25th word): Optional extra layer—acts as a password to create hidden wallets. Use only if you understand the backup implications.
• Multiple devices: Consider distributing funds across devices or using multisig solutions for additional protection.

Accounts, apps, and multi-asset support

Ledger Live uses a modular model: you install blockchain-specific apps on your device, then add accounts for those assets in the app. This keeps the device light while enabling support for thousands of assets.

Adding accounts

1. Open Ledger Live > Accounts > Add account.
2. Select the cryptocurrency and follow the prompt to open the corresponding app on your device.
3. Ledger Live will scan the blockchain and display accounts you can add.

Supported assets

Ledger Live supports major chains like Bitcoin, Ethereum (and ERC‑20 tokens), Solana, Tezos, Polkadot, and many more. Check Ledger’s compatibility lists for the most up-to-date asset support.

Staking & earning yields

Ledger Live offers built-in staking for supported proof-of-stake assets. Staking through Ledger Live means you retain custody of your keys while participating in network validation and earning rewards.

How staking works in Ledger Live

• Select the account for a supported asset and click Stake or Delegate.
• Choose a validator and confirm the transaction on your device.
• View earned rewards in the account dashboard and claim when available.

Note: Staking terms — lockup periods, undelegation times, and reward rates — vary by network. Ledger Live surfaces network-specific information to help you decide.

DeFi & dApp integrations

Ledger Live acts as a secure signing gateway for DeFi applications. When interacting with dApps, always confirm transaction details on the Ledger device. Ledger Live can connect to external dApp browsers or WalletConnect-compatible interfaces to sign DeFi transactions while keeping keys offline.

Safety tips for DeFi

• Always verify contract addresses and parameters on-device when possible.
• Limit token approvals and revoke unused allowances regularly.
• Use separate accounts for DeFi to reduce exposure of primary holdings.

NFTs — view and manage

Ledger Live includes NFT browsing for supported chains. You can view NFTs owned by your accounts, inspect metadata, and send NFTs securely. For complex NFT interactions, Ledger Live may guide you to specialized marketplaces while ensuring transaction signing remains on-device.

Privacy & data handling

Ledger Live collects minimal data required to provide services (e.g., blockchain data, asset prices). Sensitive data like private keys and recovery phrases are never transmitted to Ledger’s servers. Review Ledger’s privacy policy for specifics about telemetry and optional analytics.

Troubleshooting & support

Common issues and quick fixes:

• Device not recognized: Try a different cable, USB port, or restart the app. Ensure the device screen shows the correct app when connecting.
• Sync issues: Ledger Live occasionally resyncs accounts — wait for network scans to complete or restart the app.
• Firmware updates: If prompted, follow official Ledger Live firmware update flows. Do not use unofficial or third-party scripts to modify device firmware.

If problems persist, contact ledger.com/support. Never share your recovery phrase or PIN in support messages.

FAQ

Is Ledger Live free?

Yes. Ledger Live is free to download and use. Network fees still apply for blockchain transactions.

Can I use Ledger Live without a Ledger device?

No — Ledger Live requires a Ledger device for signing transactions and secure key storage. You can view some public blockchain data, but signing operations need the hardware.

What if I lose my device?

You can restore your accounts on a new Ledger device (or compatible wallet) using your recovery phrase. Keep your recovery phrase safe and accessible to avoid loss of funds.