Ledger Live App® | Official Ledger Mobile & Desktop Application

Manage, buy, send, receive, and stake securely — Ledger Live is your single gateway to crypto on both mobile and desktop. Read on to learn features, security, setup steps, and tips for power users.

What is Ledger Live?

Ledger Live is the official cross-platform (mobile + desktop) application developed to interact with Ledger hardware wallets. It pairs with a Ledger device to provide a secure interface for managing multiple cryptocurrencies, monitoring portfolio value, performing swaps, staking supported tokens, and connecting to decentralized apps while keeping your private keys offline.

Core features at a glance

Portfolio Dashboard

Track balances, value changes, and transaction history across all your accounts in a single view.

Secure Transactions

All transactions are signed on your Ledger device — private keys never leave the hardware.

Buy & Swap

Buy crypto and swap between assets directly in-app via integrated providers (subject to region).

Staking & Earning

Stake supported assets to earn rewards while maintaining hardware-level security.

dApp Integration

Use Ledger Live alongside web dApps — sign messages and transactions securely via your device.

Security model — why it’s trusted

Ledger Live pairs with Ledger hardware devices (like Ledger Nano S Plus, Nano X). Your private keys are generated and kept on the secure element of the device. The app acts as a controller and viewer: it prepares transaction data, sends it to the device for signing, and then broadcasts the signed transaction. That separation keeps your keys offline and protects you from malware on your phone or computer.

Recommended security practices

Always verify your device screen for the transaction details before confirming.
Keep your recovery phrase private and never enter it into any app or website.
Use a strong PIN on your Ledger device and update firmware only from official sources.

Getting started — quick setup (mobile + desktop)

Download Ledger Live from the official Ledger website or your device app store.
Open the app and choose Initialize as new or Restore device if you already have a recovery phrase.
Follow the on-screen steps to pair your Ledger hardware via USB (desktop) or Bluetooth (Ledger Nano X mobile).
Add accounts for the cryptocurrencies you want to manage and sync your device.

Once set up, test with a small transaction to get familiar with the flow of preparing, verifying, and signing on-device.

Advanced use-cases

Ledger Live is suitable for both beginners and advanced users. Power-users often:

Use multiple accounts for the same asset (e.g., several Bitcoin accounts) to manage privacy and bookkeeping.
Connect Ledger to third-party wallets and DeFi apps (via WalletConnect or browser integrations) while keeping private keys on the device.
Use the desktop app for larger operations and the mobile app for on-the-go monitoring.

Design & user experience

Ledger Live emphasizes clarity and verification: transaction screens display the exact amounts, recipient addresses, and fees to confirm — and the same human-readable data is shown on the device itself. The app supports light and dark themes and offers clear visual cues when a transaction requires physical confirmation on the Ledger device.

Compatibility & supported assets

Ledger Live supports hundreds of cryptocurrencies and tokens. The list expands over time; popular supported assets include Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), many ERC-20 tokens, and major PoS assets that can be staked directly through the app. For the most up-to-date asset list, check Ledger’s official resources.

Tips & best practices

Keep the Ledger Live app updated and only install official updates from Ledger.
Cross-check addresses: copy-and-paste can be intercepted on compromised systems — always confirm the address on your Ledger device screen.
Consider a hardware backup: store your recovery phrase in a safe, fireproof location or use a certified metal backup plate.

FAQ — quick answers

Q: Can I use Ledger Live without a Ledger device?

A: Ledger Live requires a Ledger hardware device for private key management. Some read-only features may display portfolio values, but signing transactions needs the device.

Q: Is Ledger Live free?

A: Yes — Ledger Live is free to download and use. Third-party services inside the app (buy/swap providers) may charge fees.

Q: Will Ledger Live expose my recovery phrase?

A: No — Ledger Live never asks you to type your recovery phrase. Only use the phrase on the Ledger device during initial setup or recovery.