Welcome to your journey toward safe and independent crypto management. If you're serious about protecting your digital assets, Ledger® Live is your essential companion. Whether you're using a Ledger Nano S Plus or Ledger Nano X, Ledger Live is the official app that connects you to your hardware wallet securely — giving you control over your Bitcoin, Ethereum, NFTs, and hundreds of other assets.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything: what Ledger Live is, how to download it safely, how to install and use it, and tips for getting the most from your hardware wallet.
Ledger Live is the official desktop and mobile app from Ledger. It’s designed to let you securely manage your crypto assets with your Ledger device. Think of it as your personal crypto dashboard — where you:
Add and manage crypto accounts
Send and receive assets
View transaction history
Stake assets like ETH, DOT, or SOL
Buy, sell, and swap crypto
Access NFTs and dApps with full hardware security
Ledger Live works hand-in-hand with your hardware wallet, which stores your private keys offline for maximum safety. The app simply provides a user-friendly interface while keeping security in your hands.
⚠️ Security Warning: Only download Ledger Live from the official Ledger website. Never trust third-party sites or app stores that aren’t directly linked from Ledger.com.
To download:
Go to the official Ledger Start page: Ledger.com/start
Choose “Download Ledger Live.”
Select the correct version for your system:
Windows
macOS
Linux
iOS (App Store)
Android (Google Play)
Once downloaded, follow your system’s instructions to install it.
After installation:
Open Ledger Live.
Click “Get Started.”
Follow the prompts to set preferences like dark/light mode and analytics sharing.
Ledger Live will then ask whether you want to:
Set up a new Ledger device
Restore a wallet from recovery phrase
Connect an existing device
Choose your path depending on your situation.
If this is your first time, choose “Set up a new device.” Ledger Live will walk you through:
Initializing your Ledger Nano
Setting a secure PIN on the device
Writing down your 24-word recovery phrase
Verifying your phrase correctly
Updating device firmware (if needed)
If you already have a device, select “Connect existing device” to pair it with Ledger Live.
Once connected, the app will verify that your device is genuine.
To manage a specific coin (e.g., Bitcoin or Ethereum), Ledger Live needs to install the matching app on your device.
Open the Manager tab in Ledger Live.
Find the coin you want (e.g., “Ethereum”).
Click “Install.”
Confirm on your Ledger device.
Once installed, you can add an account for that asset.
An account is your unique address for each blockchain. You need an account to send or receive crypto.
To add one:
Go to the Accounts tab.
Click “Add Account.”
Select the crypto (e.g., BTC, ETH, SOL).
Let Ledger Live scan the blockchain.
Confirm on your device.
You can now view balances, transaction history, and more.
With Ledger Live and your device ready, you can start using your crypto wallet.
Choose a crypto account (e.g., Ethereum).
Click “Receive.”
Verify the receiving address shown on your device.
Copy or scan the address to receive funds.
⚠️ Always verify the address on your device, not just on your screen. This prevents malware from tricking you.
Click “Send.”
Paste the recipient’s address and choose the amount.
Confirm and approve the transaction on your Ledger device.
Only transactions confirmed on the device are executed, ensuring maximum security.
Ledger Live supports much more than coins:
View and send NFTs (ERC-721 & ERC-1155)
Connect to MetaMask with your Ledger for Web3 access
Stake tokens like ETH, DOT, or ATOM
Swap tokens directly in Ledger Live via integrated providers
Every interaction is confirmed via your hardware wallet, so you maintain control even in decentralized apps.
Ledger regularly releases updates for:
Ledger Live
Device firmware
Crypto apps
To stay safe:
Enable auto-update in Ledger Live settings
Only update firmware via Ledger Live
Always confirm updates on your device before proceeding
Updated software means improved security and access to the latest crypto features.
🔐 Never share your 24 recovery words with anyone — ever.
🧊 Store your recovery phrase offline in a safe place.
⚠️ Ignore emails or DMs asking you to “verify” or “recover” your wallet — it’s always a scam.
🧠 Consider getting a second Ledger device as a backup wallet.
🛡️ Use a passphrase for extra protection (advanced users only).
🛠️ Use Ledger Live’s privacy settings to hide balances or anonymize addresses if desired.
On the go? Ledger Live is also available for iOS and Android.
Connect via Bluetooth using Ledger Nano X
View balances, send/receive crypto, manage NFTs
Use biometric login for added convenience
Perfect for quick checks and transactions — with the same security standards as desktop.