Overview
Ledger® Live is the official application designed to manage crypto assets while preserving the security model of Ledger hardware wallets. Ledger devices store private keys inside a secure element; Ledger® Live acts as the presentation and management layer, enabling account creation, transaction crafting, signing (on-device), app/firmware updates, staking, and integration with third-party services. By separating the signing surface (device) from the user interface (Ledger® Live), Ledger minimizes attack surface while offering a modern user experience.
What Ledger® Live does for you
- Provides a single dashboard for multiple accounts, chains, and tokens.
- Aggregates live prices, portfolio balances, and historic performance.
- Allows secure sending and receiving of crypto, with on-device verification.
- Enables staking, swapping, and partner integrations without exposing private keys.
- Offers signed installers and reproducible releases for verification and auditability.
Download & Install
Always download Ledger® Live from the official Ledger website. Installing from third-party sites increases risk of tampered installers. Ledger publishes checksums and signing keys for release verification—use them to ensure the binary you downloaded is authentic.
Supported platforms
- Windows 10 and later
- macOS (recent versions; see release notes)
- Linux distributions (AppImage available)
- Mobile: iOS and Android (Ledger Live Mobile companion)
Installation checklist
- Download the installer from
https://www.ledger.com/ledger-live.
- Verify the checksum and signature where provided.
- Install the application and run the initial launcher.
- Keep your recovery seed and backup workflow ready before initializing a device.
Initial Setup & Login
The login model for Ledger® Live is device-centric: to access accounts you must connect and unlock your Ledger device. Ledger® Live maintains a local profile (account metadata and settings) but never stores private keys. When you set up a new Ledger device, follow these steps carefully to establish a secure baseline.
New device initialization
- Power on your Ledger device and follow the on-device prompts to set a PIN. Choose a PIN of sufficient length; avoid easily guessable sequences.
- Record the recovery phrase exactly as shown, using only physical media (not an image, text file, or cloud storage). Ledger includes specific recommendations for safe backups—follow them.
- Confirm the recovery phrase on the device when prompted to ensure correct recording.
- Connect to Ledger® Live and choose "Initialize as new device." Ledger® Live will guide you through the rest of the setup.
Login for returning users
To access Ledger accounts that were previously initialized, connect your device to the machine running Ledger® Live and enter your PIN when prompted on the device. If you use a passphrase to create hidden wallets, enter the passphrase according to Ledger's secure input recommendations. Ledger® Live will resync the accounts associated with the connected device and display a read-only view of balances—signing operations still occur on-device.
Note: The safety of account recovery hinges entirely on the secrecy of your recovery phrase and passphrase (if used). If you suspect compromise, move funds to a new wallet with a freshly generated recovery phrase as soon as possible.
Accounts & Managing Assets
Ledger® Live supports multiple accounts across many blockchains. Accounts can be added, hidden, or exported for reporting. The UI groups accounts by currency and offers filters to help navigate large portfolios.
Adding an account
- Open Ledger® Live and choose "Add an account."
- Select the blockchain and connect your device when prompted.
- Choose or create the account index and confirm on the device if required.
Exporting transaction history
For tax and compliance purposes, Ledger® Live lets you export transaction history in CSV format. Include timestamps, addresses, and amounts when reconciling activity. Always cross-check exported data against on-chain records for accuracy.
Sending & Receiving Crypto Safely
Transactions in Ledger® Live follow a two-step model: the app builds the transaction and the device performs final verification and signing. This ensures users can validate what they are signing on hardware, independent of the host computer's security posture.
Receive funds
- Select the account and click "Receive."
- Connect and unlock your Ledger device to display the receiving address on-device.
- Verify that the address displayed in Ledger® Live matches the one on your device before sharing it.
Send funds
- Compose the transaction in Ledger® Live: recipient address, amount, and fee level.
- Review the transaction preview shown by the app.
- Confirm the destination address and amount on the device screen and sign if correct.
Never sign a transaction if the on-device address or amount differs from what you expect. Malware can alter outgoing transactions in transit; on-device verification mitigates this risk.
Staking, Swapping & Partner Services
Ledger® Live integrates vetted partner services for staking and swapping assets. These integrations are designed so that private keys remain within the Ledger device; third-party services receive only signed transactions or instructions. Review partner terms and fees before committing funds.
Staking
Supported assets may be staked directly from Ledger® Live. The app guides you through delegator selection (where applicable), expected rewards, and the lock-up/unstaking conditions. Always understand the unstaking period and any slashing risks associated with the network.
Swapping
Swap providers are aggregated to give competitive rates. Ledger® Live will show the exact terms of the swap; confirm those terms on-device when prompted. Because swaps interact with on-chain liquidity, consider gas costs and slippage before confirming.
Firmware & App Updates
Ledger publishes signed firmware updates for devices and regular updates for Ledger® Live. Firmware updates may include security improvements and new feature support. Always verify signatures and consult release notes for breaking changes or migration steps.
Updating safely
- Back up your recovery phrase before applying firmware updates.
- Use official Ledger channels to fetch updates and verify signatures/checksums.
- For organizations, stage updates on test devices before rolling them out widely.
Security Best Practices
Combining Ledger hardware with responsible user behavior yields strong protection for crypto holdings. Below are recommended practices for individuals and administrators.
Individual user guidelines
- Always buy Ledger devices from official channels to minimize supply chain risks.
- Write down your recovery phrase on physical media and store it in secure, geographically separated locations.
- Use a strong PIN and consider a passphrase for hidden wallets.
- Verify receiving addresses on the device before sharing or accepting funds.
- Keep Ledger® Live and device firmware up to date. Verify installers using checksums and signatures when available.
Organizational recommendations
- Maintain an asset custody policy that defines roles, approval thresholds, and incident response plans.
- Use multi-device setups and require multiple signers for high-value transactions when supported by the chain or an MPC solution layered with Ledger devices.
- Audit device inventories and recovery phrase backups regularly, and rotate keys if compromise is suspected.
Developer & Integration Notes
Developers can integrate Ledger device support into wallets and services using Ledger's SDKs and communication protocols. Ledger® Live exposes APIs and adapters that enable third-party wallet adapters to route signing through the device while keeping UX consistent.
Common integration patterns
- Use Ledger’s official SDKs for building apps that communicate with a device via USB or BLE.
- Adopt wallet adapter standards to interoperate with dApps and browser apps.
- Implement middleware that logs requests for audit while never storing private key material.
Developers should consult official documentation for protocol specifics, APDU commands, and security recommendations.
Troubleshooting & Common Issues
If Ledger® Live fails to detect your device, check drivers (on Windows), cable integrity, and device firmware. Common fixes include re-installing Ledger® Live, trying a different USB port or cable, and rebooting the host machine. If issues persist, consult official support channels with diagnostic logs.
Recovery & lost device
If you lose a device, you can restore accounts using a new Ledger device and the recovery phrase. If the recovery phrase is lost or compromised, assume funds are at risk and move assets if possible.
Releases & Support
Ledger provides signed releases and maintains a knowledge base for common issues. For enterprise customers, professional support plans with SLAs and deployment assistance are available. Always verify that downloads are signed and check release notes for known issues that could affect operations.
Upgrade strategy for teams
- Adopt a staged rollout: test on a small subset of devices first.
- Maintain rollback procedures in case an update introduces critical issues.
- Document and train operators on update procedures and emergency recovery workflows.
Legal & Compliance Considerations
Ledger® Live and Ledger devices are tools—responsibility for compliance and reporting remains with the user. Ledger provides export tools to facilitate tax reporting and record-keeping. Organizations should consult legal and tax counsel for jurisdiction-specific obligations.