Ledger Live App® — Official Ledger Mobile & Desktop Application

What is Ledger Live?

Ledger Live is the official application that connects to Ledger hardware wallets to help users manage cryptocurrency accounts, monitor balances, send and receive assets, install blockchain-specific apps on the device, and access optional third-party services like swaps, fiat onramps, and staking. It acts as a secure, user-friendly interface while the Ledger hardware device remains the single point where private keys are generated and stored.

Important distinction: Ledger Live prepares transactions and displays account data; the Ledger hardware device performs cryptographic signing and requires your physical confirmation before any operation is finalized.

Supported platforms and downloads

Ledger Live is available for major desktop operating systems (Windows, macOS, Linux) and on mobile platforms (iOS and Android). Always download Ledger Live from the official Ledger website or the official app store listing for your platform. Avoid installer links from emails, social posts, or other unverified sources — phishing and fraudulent builds are common attack vectors in the crypto space.

Pro tip: Bookmark the official Ledger download page and use that bookmark when updating or reinstalling Ledger Live to reduce the risk of visiting spoofed pages.

Core features

• Portfolio dashboard: Aggregated balances across accounts with fiat valuation and historical trends.
• Account management: Add and manage multiple accounts per supported blockchain and review transaction history.
• Send & receive: Construct transactions inside Ledger Live and verify details on your Ledger device before signing.
• App Manager: Install blockchain-specific apps on the Ledger device to enable support for various chains and tokens.
• Device & firmware management: Apply cryptographically signed firmware updates and verify device authenticity through the app.
• Buy, swap & stake integrations: Access third-party services to buy crypto with fiat, swap between tokens, or stake eligible assets — using external providers that charge their own fees.
• Third-party connectors: Connect Ledger to external wallets and dapps (e.g., MetaMask, Electrum) while keeping your device as the signing authority.

Security model — how Ledger Live preserves your keys

The security guarantees come from the Ledger device, usually employing a secure element chip. Ledger Live never exposes private keys; it only acts as a management layer. When you create or sign a transaction, Ledger Live sends the prepared payload to the device and the device independently displays the key transaction fields — recipient, amount, and fee — for you to verify. Only after you physically approve on the device will the signature be produced.

Always verify transaction details on the device’s screen. Even if your computer is compromised, a malicious actor cannot sign a transaction without the device's physical confirmation.

How to set up Ledger Live (quick guide)

1. Download Ledger Live: Get the latest build from the official Ledger site or the app store.
2. Install and launch: Follow installer prompts and open the app.
3. Connect your device: Plug in your Ledger hardware or pair via Bluetooth if your model supports it.
4. Initialize or restore: Choose to set up as a new device (create PIN and generate recovery phrase) or restore from an existing recovery phrase.
5. Add apps and accounts: Use the App Manager to install blockchain apps on the device and add corresponding accounts in Ledger Live.
6. Perform a small test transaction: Send a small amount to and from your account to confirm the flow works and you understand the process.

Note: Use the recovery sheet included with your hardware to write down the recovery phrase; never photograph it or store it on a connected device.

Receiving and sending crypto — best practices

Receiving

1. Select the account in Ledger Live and click Receive.
2. Confirm the address displayed in Ledger Live matches the address shown on your Ledger device.
3. Share the verified address with the sender.

Sending

1. Create a transaction in Ledger Live and enter the recipient address and amount.
2. Set an appropriate network fee via the provided controls.
3. Verify the recipient, amount and fee on the Ledger device screen before confirming to sign.
4. Once signed, Ledger Live broadcasts the transaction to the network and shows confirmation progress.

Tip: For large transfers, use a small test amount first and double-check recipient addresses using a separate communication channel if possible.

Fees, costs and third-party integrations

Ledger Live itself does not charge custody fees — your costs include the one-time hardware purchase and the network fees required by blockchains when sending transactions. When you use buy / swap / staking integrations, third-party providers may charge service fees, spreads, or require KYC. Ledger Live displays provider information and fees in each flow; review these before completing a transaction.

Consider the hardware cost a security investment relative to the potential losses of storing keys on compromised devices or exchanges.

Supported assets and token management

Ledger Live supports many major blockchains natively and extends support through third-party connectors for additional tokens. Asset support evolves frequently; before sending a lesser-known token to your Ledger account, verify compatibility and the recommended wallet flow to avoid sending to an unsupported derivation path or losing funds.

Troubleshooting common issues

Advanced workflows

Power users can combine Ledger Live with external tools for PSBT (Partially Signed Bitcoin Transaction) workflows, multisignature vaults, and air-gapped signing. These approaches distribute trust, improve operational security, and reduce single points of failure, but they require careful planning, rigorous backups, and practice restores before being relied upon for significant funds.

If you intend to implement multisig or air-gapped flows, document every step and test recovery procedures on spare devices first.