What is Ledger Live?
Ledger Live is the companion application for Ledger hardware wallets. It acts as a secure interface for managing multiple cryptocurrencies — viewing balances, sending and receiving assets, installing or updating apps on the device, staking supported coins, and tracking portfolio performance. Crucially, the Ledger device itself holds your private keys offline; Ledger Live communicates with the device and broadcasts signed transactions while keeping keys isolated from the internet.
Quick setup & first run
Begin by downloading Ledger Live from the official Ledger website and verify the installer checksum when possible. During first-time setup you'll create a new wallet on the physical Ledger device: choose a PIN and write down the recovery phrase (24 words on most models). Never store that phrase digitally or share it. Ledger Live will then let you add accounts for supported blockchains; adding an account does not expose your private key — it only derives public addresses to display your balances.
- Download Ledger Live from the official source and verify downloads.
- Set a PIN on the device — this protects access to the device itself.
- Record the recovery phrase on the supplied card, keep it offline and secure.
- Add accounts in Ledger Live to view balances and manage assets.
Daily use: sending, receiving, and checking balances
Receiving funds is straightforward — choose an account in Ledger Live, request a receiving address and verify the address on your Ledger device screen before sharing. For sending, create the transaction in Ledger Live, confirm details, and then physically approve the transaction on your device. Always double-check recipient addresses and amount on the device screen; malicious software on a host computer can attempt to modify the unsigned transaction data unless you verify on-device.
Security best practices
Ledger Live is a UI layer — the security model depends on the hardware wallet and your operational habits. Keep these core practices:
- Never share your recovery phrase. Ledger support never asks for it.
- Buy hardware wallets only from official channels to avoid tampering.
- Use a strong PIN and enable a passphrase if you require plausible deniability or extra account separation.
- Keep device firmware and Ledger Live updated; updates often patch security issues and add features.
- Verify receiving and transaction details on the physical device screen every time.
Important features at a glance
Ledger Live's core features cover the full lifecycle of common crypto activity:
- Account management: add accounts for many chains and tokens to see balances and history.
- Send & receive: create transactions securely and approve them on-device.
- Portfolio & analytics: view aggregated portfolio value across accounts, filter by token, and export history.
- App Manager: install blockchain-specific apps on your Ledger device (e.g., Ethereum, Bitcoin).
- Staking & earning: stake supported assets directly via Ledger Live (subject to network rules and lock-up terms).
- Swap & Buy: access integrated third-party partners to swap or buy crypto — these are custodial or non-custodial depending on partner terms, so read fees and privacy policies carefully.
Advanced topics & tips
Power users can combine Ledger Live with third-party wallets or dApps while keeping keys on-device. Use the Ledger Live Bridge and always sign requests on your device. If you maintain multiple accounts, consider a passphrase to create distinct hidden wallets from the same seed (this adds complexity — store passphrase securely).
When recovering a device from your seed phrase, test the recovery process ahead of time on a spare device if possible. Regularly export transaction history for tax or audit purposes using Ledger Live's export features.
Common FAQ
Q: Can Ledger Live be used without a Ledger device?
A: No — Ledger Live requires the physical device for signing operations. The app can display read-only information if accounts were previously added, but signing and key operations need the hardware device.
Q: What happens if I lose my Ledger device?
A: Your funds are recoverable using the recovery phrase on any compatible hardware wallet. The device alone is not sufficient to access funds without the PIN and recovery phrase.
A short checklist before you transact
- Confirm Ledger Live is official, up to date, and downloaded from the Ledger site.
- Verify receiving addresses on the device screen.
- Use a hardware PIN and never expose your recovery phrase.
- Keep firmware updated, and consider a passphrase only if you understand the trade-offs.