Ledger® Live Wallet™

The official companion app for Ledger hardware wallets — manage, secure, and control your crypto.

Ledger® Live Wallet™ connects securely to your Ledger hardware device to give a complete, non-custodial crypto management experience. Build transactions, review them on-device, sign securely, stake supported assets, swap via integrated providers, and monitor portfolio performance across chains — all while your private keys remain inside the Ledger secure element.

Overview

Ledger Live Wallet™ is designed to be the single portal for users who custody their own assets with Ledger devices. Whether you’re a new user setting up a first device or an experienced operator managing multiple accounts, Ledger Live balances accessibility with technical depth. Use it on desktop (Windows, macOS, Linux) or mobile (iOS/Android) with synchronized, read-only views between devices.

Key capabilities

  • Account management for Bitcoin, Ethereum, and a wide range of chains and tokens.
  • On-device signing: all private keys remain in the hardware secure element; confirm operations physically on your device.
  • Integrated staking and swap services via trusted partners.
  • Portfolio overview, historic charts, and exportable transaction histories for accounting and tax purposes.
  • App management for installing chain-specific apps on your Ledger device.

Who it’s for

Retail users who want strong custody controls, developers building wallet-aware apps, and organizations seeking auditable non-custodial flows all benefit from Ledger Live’s model. It fits solo HODLers and teams maintaining best-practice custody procedures.

Download & install

Always download Ledger Live from the official Ledger domain. Ledger publishes checksums and signatures for installers—verify them when possible to guard against tampered binaries, especially when installing on shared or untrusted machines.

Platforms

  • Windows 10 and later
  • macOS (current supported versions)
  • Linux (AppImage)
  • iOS and Android (mobile companion)

Quick install

  1. Visit the official Ledger Live download page and choose your platform.
  2. Download, optionally verify checksum, and install the app.
  3. Open Ledger Live and follow the first-run wizard to connect your Ledger device and add accounts.

Security model

Ledger’s security architecture centers on the secure element in the hardware device. Ledger Live never exposes private keys: it constructs transactions and passes them to the device, which displays the human-readable details for you to confirm before signing. This reduces attack surface and ensures transactions are authorized by the physical device owner.

Core protections

  • Secure element: private keys stored in tamper-resistant hardware.
  • On-device confirmation: approve all operations on your Ledger device screen.
  • Signed firmware & installers: verify authenticity through checksums and signatures.
  • Passphrase support: optional passphrase creates hidden wallets for additional plausible deniability.

Best practices

  • Buy devices from official channels to avoid supply-chain risks.
  • Record recovery phrases on physical media (not photos or cloud storage).
  • Confirm addresses and amounts on your device before signing any transaction.
  • Keep Ledger Live and device firmware up to date; verify release notes for breaking changes.

Getting started

Setup is straightforward. If you have a new Ledger device, create a PIN and record the recovery phrase when prompted. If restoring, use your recovery phrase to rebuild your keys. After device setup, connect Ledger Live to add accounts and manage assets.

Step-by-step

  1. Install Ledger Live and open the app.
  2. Connect your Ledger device via USB or Bluetooth (Nano X) and enter your PIN.
  3. Add accounts: navigate to Accounts > Add account, select the chain, and follow prompts.
  4. Verify balances and transaction history once sync completes.

Sending & receiving assets

Ledger Live provides clear workflows for sending and receiving. For receiving, display the address on-device and ensure it matches the app before sharing. When sending, compose the transaction in Ledger Live and confirm exact details on-device prior to signing.

Receive safely

  1. Select Receive in Ledger Live for the chosen account.
  2. Connect device to display address on the hardware screen.
  3. Verify on-device address equals the one in Ledger Live before sharing.

Send safely

  1. Create a transaction in Ledger Live and set appropriate fees.
  2. Check the transaction preview in the app.
  3. Confirm amounts and destination on the device and approve to sign.

Staking & swaps

Ledger Live integrates partner services to stake supported assets and swap between tokens. These integrations are designed such that private keys do not leave the hardware device. Review validator choices, fees, and lockup terms before staking. For swaps, check quoted rates and slippage and confirm the swap details on-device.

Advanced features

Advanced users can use passphrases for hidden wallets, configure custom derivation paths, and use Ledger Live alongside developer tools and wallet adapters. Multisig setups and air-gapped signing are supported through compatible wallets and workflows for heightened operational security.

Developer & integration notes

Developers can integrate Ledger devices using official SDKs and wallet adapter standards. Keep integration patterns secure: never log private material, use audited libraries, and test flows thoroughly. Ledger Live also supports third-party apps and partner integrations via documented interfaces.

FAQ

Can Ledger Live move funds without me? No — signing requires explicit user confirmation on the Ledger device.

Is Ledger Live open source? Ledger publishes components and documentation; check official repositories for licensing and build details.

What if my device is lost? Restore funds using your recovery phrase on a new compatible device. If the phrase is lost, funds may be unrecoverable.