Ledger Live — Securely manage your crypto and NFTs

Ledger Live is the companion app for Ledger hardware wallets. Use it to manage accounts, send and receive assets, update firmware, and monitor portfolio performance — all while keeping your private keys offline.

Overview

Ledger Live connects to Ledger hardware devices (like Ledger Nano S Plus and Ledger Nano X) to give a safe interface for day-to-day crypto activity. The app runs on desktop (Windows, macOS, Linux) and mobile (iOS, Android) and focuses on protecting your private keys while making account management intuitive.

Key features

1
Secure account management
Create and view accounts for Bitcoin, Ethereum, and thousands of other assets. Ledger Live shows balances, transaction history, and token details while the private key never leaves your device.
2
Send & receive
Prepare transactions in the app and confirm them on your hardware device. This ensures that a compromised computer cannot silently change transaction details.
3
Portfolio & tracking
View aggregated portfolio value, track changes over time, and export history for accounting or tax reporting.
4
Firmware & app updates
Ledger Live can update Ledger device firmware and manage installed apps, ensuring both compatibility and security patches are applied.
5
Built-in exchange & staking
Access on-ramp/off-ramp partners to buy crypto, and stake select assets directly from the app to earn yields while retaining custody.
6
NFT viewing
Browse your Ethereum- and other-chain NFTs inside Ledger Live, with clear provenance and metadata display.
Get started with Ledger Live

Security at a glance

Ledger Live’s core design principle: private keys stay offline on the hardware device. The app is intentionally unable to export keys. Transaction signing is a manual approval step on the device screen, preventing remote tampering.

How to use Ledger Live (quick)

  1. Download Ledger Live from the official source and install it on your computer or phone.
  2. Create a new Ledger device or restore using an existing recovery phrase.
  3. Open Ledger Live, add accounts for the assets you hold, and follow on-screen pairing instructions.
  4. Always verify transaction details on your Ledger device before approving.

Best practices

  • Keep your recovery phrase offline and never share it.
  • Use a passphrase (25th word) for an additional account layer if you understand the implications.
  • Double-check addresses and use the device display for verification.
  • Keep device firmware and app updated through Ledger Live.

FAQs

Is Ledger Live the same as a Ledger device?

No — Ledger Live is the software interface. Your private keys remain on your Ledger hardware device (the physical wallet). Ledger Live cannot access your seed or private keys directly.

Can I use Ledger Live offline?

Ledger Live requires an internet connection for fetching prices, broadcasting transactions, and checking balances. However, the critical signing step always happens on the hardware device.

What about backups?

Your recovery phrase is the ultimate backup. Store it securely in a physical location (or multiple safes). Never upload or store it digitally.