What is Ledger Live?
Ledger Live is the desktop and mobile application that connects to Ledger hardware wallets and provides a unified experience for managing digital assets. It centralizes wallet setup, asset management, portfolio tracking, and transaction signing while keeping private keys offline on the device. For anyone who values security but wants a user-friendly experience, Ledger Live balances safety and convenience.
Why choose Ledger Live?
Core features
- Portfolio dashboard: See portfolio value, allocation breakdown, and price history at a glance.
- Account management: Add multiple accounts per blockchain (e.g., several Bitcoin or Ethereum accounts) and label them for clarity.
- Secure transactions: Build transactions in the app and confirm them physically on your Ledger device.
- Staking & earnings: Delegate assets for staking or participate in interest-earning programs supported in-app.
- Atomic swaps & exchanges: Swap between assets quickly using integrated exchange partners, without exporting private keys.
- Recovery and backup: Restore wallets using your recovery phrase in case of device loss — the app guides the process step-by-step.
Getting started
Download Ledger Live for your platform, create or restore a wallet, and follow the on-screen instructions. When you create a new wallet, you'll generate a recovery phrase — record it safely offline. Ledger Live guides you through firmware updates for your device and installing the coin-specific apps required to hold particular assets.
Security best practices
Security is the defining feature of Ledger Live + Ledger device combos. Some recommended practices:
- Never share your recovery phrase with anyone. Ledger will never ask for it.
- Keep your recovery phrase physically secure — consider using a fireproof safe or specialized steel backup.
- Verify app downloads from the official Ledger website and check signatures when available.
- Use a strong OS password and enable device-level encryption where possible on mobile/desktop.
- Keep firmware up to date to benefit from security improvements and new features.
Tip: Use a dedicated device or user account for crypto management to reduce exposure to everyday malware.
Common workflows
Whether you’re sending crypto to a friend, buying tokens, or staking to earn rewards, Ledger Live structures flows to keep you safe:
- Sending: Create the payment in the app, review the destination and amounts, then confirm the signed transaction on your hardware wallet.
- Receiving: Create an address in the account view and verify the first characters on your device before sharing it.
- Staking: Choose a validator or provider from the app, delegate your assets, and monitor rewards over time.
Privacy & data
Ledger Live minimizes data collection: balances and transactions are derived from public blockchains. The app may use external providers for price feeds and service integrations; review privacy settings and connected services inside settings if you prefer to limit third-party interactions.
Who is Ledger Live for?
Ledger Live is designed for a broad audience: long-term holders who need rock-solid security, active traders who want a consolidated view, and newcomers who prefer guided setup. It’s especially suited to users who want a single secure experience that reduces mistakes common with hot wallets or self-managed seed storage without hardware.