What is Ledger® Live Wallet™?

Ledger Live is a desktop and mobile application developed to work with Ledger hardware wallets (such as Ledger Nano S Plus and Ledger Nano X). It acts as the primary user interface for viewing portfolio balances, sending and receiving tokens, installing and removing blockchain apps on the device, managing firmware updates, and interacting with supported third-party services. Crucially, Ledger Live never has access to your private keys — signing operations take place on the hardware device itself.

Because Ledger Live combines convenience with hardware-level key security, it sits at the center of many users' crypto workflows. Whether you are a beginner checking a balance or an advanced user managing staking and multiple accounts across chains, Ledger Live is designed to keep the user experience approachable without sacrificing security.

Installing Ledger Live

Ledger Live is available for Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS. Always download Ledger Live from the official Ledger website to avoid counterfeit installers.

Step-by-step installation

1. Open your browser and navigate to ledger.com/start.
2. Select your device model and download Ledger Live for your operating system.
3. Install the app and open it. Follow the on-screen onboarding steps: choose to set up a new device or configure Ledger Live to work with an existing Ledger hardware wallet.
4. For initial device setup, Ledger Live will guide you through creating a PIN and writing down your recovery phrase (seed). If you already have a Ledger device and seed, you can choose to restore instead.
5. After setup, use Ledger Live’s Manager to install only the coin apps you need — each app is used by the device to sign transactions for a particular blockchain.

Security tip: Never enter your recovery phrase into Ledger Live or any computer. The recovery phrase should only be written on the recovery sheet supplied by your Ledger device or stored in a secure, offline backup such as a metal plate.

Managing Accounts and Transactions

Accounts in Ledger Live represent addresses and balances derived from your recovery seed per coin. You can add multiple accounts for the same cryptocurrency and manage many different coins from the same seed (subject to the coin support Ledger Live provides).

Adding an account

From the Ledger Live dashboard, click “Add account,” choose the coin, connect your Ledger device, open the corresponding app on the device, and Ledger Live will discover the accounts it can manage. You can add as many accounts as you need.

Receiving funds

To receive assets, choose the account and click “Receive.” Ledger Live will show an address; always verify that the address displayed in the app exactly matches the address shown on your Ledger device’s screen before sharing it. This on-device verification prevents malware on the host computer from substituting addresses.

Sending funds

Enter the recipient address and amount in Ledger Live, set transaction fees if applicable, and then confirm the transaction on your Ledger device. The device will show the address, amount, and fee for you to verify before approving. Signing happens within the hardware and only the signed transaction is transmitted to the network.

Transaction history & export

Ledger Live maintains transaction history for your accounts. You can export account data and history for tax/reporting purposes using Ledger Live’s export features. Note that Ledger Live only displays blockchain data — it does not hold your keys or funds.

App Management — Install Only What You Need

Ledger devices use a modular “app” system: install an app for each coin you intend to use (for example, Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana). Apps enable the device to construct and sign transactions for a particular blockchain. The Manager section in Ledger Live lets you install and uninstall apps.

Removing an app does not erase the funds or the underlying accounts; accounts are derived from your seed. Uninstalling an app simply frees device storage. When you reinstall the app later, your accounts will reappear when you add them in Ledger Live (as long as you use the same seed).

Space & app limits

Some Ledger devices have limited internal storage and can hold only a number of apps simultaneously. Plan which apps you need and use Ledger Live to manage them. If you need more apps than the device can store at once, uninstall those you don’t currently use and reinstall later — this is safe provided you keep your recovery phrase secure.

Staking, Earning & DeFi Integrations

Ledger Live offers native staking and yield features for supported assets and chains, allowing users to stake certain tokens directly from the app. Additionally, Ledger integrates with a set of vetted third-party services and DeFi platforms that allow broader interactions—always via the Ledger device for signing.

Native staking

For supported assets (e.g., Tezos, Cosmos, Polkadot — dependent on current Ledger Live support), you can delegate or stake directly in Ledger Live. The process typically involves selecting an account, choosing a validator, and approving the delegation transaction on-device. Rewards accrue to your account while your keys remain with the hardware device.

Third-party DeFi & apps

Ledger Live provides integrations that connect users to third-party services for additional features such as swaps, bridge services, or DeFi interfaces. When you use these services, the signing of transactions still occurs on your Ledger device; Ledger Live acts as a secure conduit and UI layer. Exercise caution: only use well-reviewed and audited services, and consider starting with small amounts when exploring new integrations.

Tip: Staking often involves lockup periods or unbonding delays depending on the chain — review the rules and expected timelines before staking significant sums.

Security Model & Best Practices

Ledger Live is built around a security-forward model: the hardware device is the root of trust and Ledger Live is an interface that never exposes private keys. That said, user behavior and safe operational practices are essential to maintaining security.

Key best practices

• Download from official sources: Always download Ledger Live from ledger.com/start.
• Keep your recovery phrase offline: Write it on the provided card or keep it on a durable, offline medium (metal backup). Never photograph or store the seed in the cloud.
• Verify on-device: Always confirm addresses and transaction details on the Ledger device display before approving.
• Use strong PINs and passphrases: Use a PIN to protect the physical device. Consider a passphrase for an extra, optional layer of security (but record the passphrase securely — losing it means losing access to that hidden wallet).
• Keep software updated: Apply firmware and Ledger Live updates promptly using the official app.
• Be cautious with integrations: Only connect to third-party services you vet; never paste your recovery phrase into any website or app.

Understanding recovery

Your recovery seed is the ultimate backup. If your Ledger device is lost or damaged, you can recover your accounts and funds with the seed on a new device or compatible software that supports the same derivation standard. Protect the seed accordingly: it is effectively the key to everything.

Integrations & Advanced Use Cases

Ledger Live can be used in tandem with a variety of third-party wallets and services for advanced workflows. Examples include:

• DeFi platforms: Connect to decentralized apps through Ledger-confirmed transactions for added safety.
• Third-party wallets: Use wallets like MetaMask or Electrum in “hardware wallet” mode, where the Ledger handles signing operations but the third-party app provides functionality not present in Ledger Live.
• Multisig setups: Use Ledger devices as one or more signers in multisignature wallets for shared custody or institutional arrangements.
• Enterprise & developer tools: Ledger devices support developer SDKs and standards like U2F, WebUSB, and widely-used cryptographic standards that enable integration into custom workflows.

When using integrations, make sure to follow vendor instructions and confirm each transaction on the Ledger device. Treat integrations like any other third-party connection: vet them, start small, and monitor results.

Troubleshooting & Common Issues

Device not detected in Ledger Live

Try a different USB cable or port. Ensure your device is unlocked with the PIN and that the correct coin app is open on the device for the action you want to perform. Restart Ledger Live and your computer if needed. If using mobile, confirm OTG/Bluetooth permissions and compatibility.

Ledger Live shows incorrect balance or missing transactions

Ledger Live relies on blockchain explorers to fetch data. Use the “Rescan” or “Sync” options in Ledger Live to refresh data. Wait for network nodes or providers to update if a transaction is very recent. If problems persist, check Ledger’s status pages or community support channels for known issues.

Firmware update failed

Do not disconnect the device during updates. If a firmware update fails, follow official recovery steps in Ledger Live or the support site. Contact ledger support via official channels if needed — never share your recovery phrase.

Lost PIN or recovery phrase

If you forget your PIN, you can reset the device (it will wipe) and restore from the recovery phrase. If you lose the recovery phrase and have no access to the device, funds are irretrievable — this is why multiple secure backups are essential.