Ledger® Live — Getting Started | official Ledger Wallet™ App
👉 1. What Is Ledger Live?
Ledger Live is the official desktop and mobile application provided by Ledger to manage your Ledger® hardware wallet and your entire cryptocurrency portfolio securely. The app acts as the primary user interface where you:
- Securely connect your Ledger hardware (Nano S Plus, Nano X, Ledger Stax, etc.)
- Add accounts for different coins and tokens
- View balances and transaction history
- Send and receive crypto
- Buy, swap, and stake assets
- Update device firmware and install blockchain apps
- Track NFTs and Web3 activity
All of this happens without private keys ever leaving your Ledger device — they remain offline in the secure chip. The app simply communicates with the device and the blockchain, ensuring high security. Ledger
👉 2. Why Use Ledger Live?
Ledger Live isn’t just a simple wallet viewer — it’s an integrated ecosystem hub:
✅ Unified portfolio dashboard — All your crypto assets in one place
✅ Secure transaction signing — Every send/receive must be confirmed on your hardware device
✅ Device updates — Keeps your Ledger device firmware and crypto apps up to date
✅ Buy/swap/stake — Through trusted partners integrated in the app
✅ NFT & Web3 access — View and manage collectibles and connect to decentralized apps
✅ Multi-platform support — Desktop (Windows, macOS, Linux) and mobile (iOS, Android) ledger-com-about.framer.ai+1
Because Ledger Live never stores your private keys, the app itself isn’t a custodian — you are. That’s why Ledger Live is part of a self-custody system: you control the keys and funds. en-us-ledgerlive-docs.teachable.com
👉 3. Security First — Official Downloads Only
💡 Important: Always download Ledger Live from the official Ledger website — never from search engine ads or third-party sites. Fake Ledger Live installers are actively used by scammers to steal seed phrases and account access. TechRadar
Official download sources include:
- Ledger.com/start
- Ledger Live section on Ledger’s official site
- App Store (iOS) or Google Play (Android) — only if the developer is listed as “Ledger”
This ensures you get authentic, malware-free software. ledger-com-about.framer.ai
👉 4. Supported Platforms
Ledger Live is available on:
📌 Desktop:
- Windows
- macOS
- Linux
📌 Mobile:
- iOS
- Android
Certain features (like Bluetooth connection) work only on supported hardware (e.g., Bluetooth support on Ledger Nano X). ledger-com-about.framer.ai
👉 5. Step-by-Step: Installing Ledger Live
Desktop Setup
- Go to the official Ledger start page: ledger.com/start.
- Click “Download Ledger Live.”
- Choose your operating system (Windows/macOS/Linux).
- Run the installer and follow the on-screen instructions.
- Launch Ledger Live once installation completes.
- Grant required permissions when prompted. Ledger Getting Started Guide
Mobile Setup
- Open App Store or Play Store.
- Search for Ledger Live — verify the developer is “Ledger.”
- Install the app.
- Open it and allow necessary permissions. Ledger Getting Started Guide
👉 6. First Time: Connect and Initialize Your Ledger Device
When Ledger Live opens, you’ll be guided to connect and initialize your hardware wallet:
Initial Device Steps
- Connect your Ledger hardware using the USB cable (or Bluetooth for Nano X on mobile).
- Power on the device.
- Follow on-device prompts to:
- Choose language
- Set a secure PIN code
- Generate a 24-word recovery phrase
The recovery phrase (also called seed phrase) is your only backup. Write it down on the included recovery sheet. Never enter it into any website or store it digitally. ledger-com-about.framer.ai
- Ledger Live will verify the authenticity of your device — ensuring it hasn’t been tampered with. Onelink
👉 7. Ledger Live Interface Overview
Once you’re past initial setup, Ledger Live opens into a clean, intuitive interface with the following sections:
🧭 Dashboard / Portfolio
Shows:
- Total portfolio value
- Real-time coin prices
- Recent activity and balances
📒 Accounts
This is where you add crypto accounts (e.g., Bitcoin, Ethereum).
Each account links with your device app and displays balances and history. support-en-live-ledgr.teachable.com
🔄 Send / Receive
- Receive: Generates addresses you can share to receive funds.
- Send: Lets you send crypto — and every send must be confirmed on your device screen. support-en-live-ledgr.teachable.com
💱 Buy / Swap / Exchange
Through built-in partner services, you can:
- Buy crypto with fiat
- Swap one crypto for another
All transactions still require device confirmation. en-us-ledgerlive-docs.teachable.com
📈 Staking
Stake supported assets to earn rewards while keeping funds secure. en-us-ledgerlive-docs.teachable.com
🛠 Manager
Install or remove blockchain apps (e.g., Bitcoin, Ethereum) on your Ledger device.
Ledger Live downloads these apps directly to your device’s secure chip. Ledger
🖼 NFT / Discover
View and manage NFTs, and explore Web3 decentralized apps and features. en-us-ledgerlive-docs.teachable.com
👉 8. How to Add Crypto Accounts
After initial setup:
- Go to Accounts.
- Click Add Account.
- Choose the cryptocurrency you want (BTC, ETH, ADA, etc.).
- Ledger Live will detect your device and sync with the proper blockchain app.
- Confirm on your Ledger device when prompted. support-en-live-ledgr.teachable.com
You can add as many accounts/tokens as you need — all linked to your single recovery phrase. support-en-live-ledgr.teachable.com
👉 9. Transactions Explained
Receiving Cryptocurrency
- Select the account (e.g., Bitcoin).
- Click Receive.
- Ledger Live will generate a fresh address.
- Verify the address on your device screen before sharing it.
This prevents malware from substituting an address. help-live--eng.pages.dev
Sending Cryptocurrency
- Go to Send.
- Enter recipient address and amount.
- Confirm details in Ledger Live.
- Confirm on your Ledger device (device screen and buttons).
This physical confirmation is the key security feature that protects against online hacks. help-live--eng.pages.dev
👉 10. Essential Security Practices
🔐 Never enter your recovery phrase online.
Ledger Live will never ask for it. If any app or site asks, it’s a scam. TechRadar
✍️ Write down the recovery phrase physically.
Store it in a safe location — not on your phone or cloud storage. ledger-com-about.framer.ai
🔒 Keep your PIN private.
This locks the device itself. ledger-com-about.framer.ai
🔄 Always update Ledger Live and your device firmware.
Updates patch vulnerabilities and add new features. Onelink
⚠️ Watch for fake apps/websites.
Only download from ledger.com or official app stores. TechRadar
👉 11. What You Can Do in Ledger Live
✔ Track 5,000+ crypto assets
✔ Buy & swap crypto
✔ Stake proof-of-stake assets
✔ Manage multiple accounts
✔ View NFT collections
✔ Access DeFi integrations
✔ Install & remove blockchain apps
✔ Update device firmware
✔ Export reports for taxes en-us-ledgerlive-docs.teachable.com
👉 12. What You Cannot Do
❌ Ledger Live doesn’t “custody” your assets — your keys remain offline.
❌ Ledger Live doesn’t ask for passwords or seed phrases.
❌ It can’t restore funds without your recovery phrase — that’s only your backup. en-us-ledgerlive-docs.teachable.com
👉 13. Typical Troubleshooting
Common issues include:
- Connection errors (USB/Bluetooth)
- Sync problems
- Failed app installs
Solutions usually involve:
- Re-connecting the device
- Restarting Ledger Live
- Updating both app and device firmware
⚠️ When in doubt, refer only to Ledger Support or official guides — not community tips that ask for sensitive information. ledger-com-about.framer.ai
🌟 Summary — Your Crypto Control Center
Ledger Live is the essential official app for securely managing your Ledger hardware wallet and cryptocurrency portfolio. It’s your window into self-custody:
✔ Secure private key control
✔ Portfolio and transaction management
✔ Built-in buy/swap/stake features
✔ Support for thousands of assets
✔ Multi-platform convenience
By following these official steps and security practices, you can confidently and safely begin managing your crypto with Ledger Live. Ledger+1