Ledger® Wallet – Getting Started with Ledger® Live

The official companion app for your Ledger device. Ledger Live lets you initialize devices, install coin apps, manage accounts, send and receive assets, stake supported tokens, and keep firmware up to date — all while ensuring private keys remain protected inside your Ledger hardware.

Why Ledger Live?

Ledger Live is the bridge between user-friendly software tools and the hardware-backed security of Ledger devices. It centralizes portfolio monitoring, transaction construction, app and firmware management, and integrations — without ever exposing private keys. Ledger Live is available as a desktop app (Windows, macOS, Linux) and as a mobile app for iOS and Android.

Before you begin

Have your Ledger device (Nano S Plus, Nano X, etc.) and the supplied cable ready.
Use a trusted computer or mobile device to install Ledger Live. Avoid public machines for initial setup.
Prepare an offline method to record your recovery phrase (paper and/or metal backup).

Download and install Ledger Live

Go to the official Ledger website (ledger.com/start) and download the Ledger Live installer for your platform.
Verify the download if a checksum or signature is provided; this helps ensure the installer hasn't been tampered with.
Install Ledger Live following the platform-specific instructions (macOS: drag to Applications; Windows: run installer; Linux: AppImage or package).

Note: Always download Ledger Live from the official site. Phishing pages may mimic Ledger’s look and try to distribute malicious installers.

Initial setup with Ledger Live

Open Ledger Live and follow the welcome flow. You may choose to enable or opt out of optional analytics.
Connect your Ledger device and unlock it with the PIN when prompted.
Choose to set up a new device or restore an existing wallet. If setting up new, Ledger Live will guide you through creating a PIN and writing down your recovery phrase as shown on the device.
Apply any firmware updates recommended by Ledger Live — updates are signed and verified by the device to prevent unauthorized firmware installation.

During setup, never enter your recovery phrase into Ledger Live or any online device. The phrase should be written and stored offline.

Managing apps and accounts

Ledger devices use individual apps per blockchain. Use the Manager tab in Ledger Live to install the apps you need.

Install apps

Open Manager, connect your unlocked device, and install coin apps. Each app consumes device storage; only install what you need.

Add accounts

After installing an app, add accounts in Ledger Live to derive addresses from your seed and display balances and transaction history.

Sending & receiving securely

Ledger Live builds transactions locally and prompts you to verify details on your Ledger device. Follow these steps:

To receive: open the account in Ledger Live, click Receive, and verify the address on your device display before sharing it.
To send: create the transaction in Ledger Live, confirm fees and recipient, then approve the transaction on your Ledger device. The device display is the final, authoritative check.

Always verify addresses shown on-device to detect any host-side manipulation or malware attempting to alter recipient addresses.

Security best practices

Never share your recovery phrase. Ledger support will never ask for it.
Store recovery backups offline; consider metal backups for physical durability.
Enable passphrase-protected accounts for additional security and plausible deniability when needed.
Keep Ledger Live and your device firmware updated through official channels.
Use a trusted computer or mobile and avoid public Wi‑Fi for sensitive operations.

Advanced features & integrations

Ledger Live supports staking for select assets, in-app swap providers, and secure dApp connections via integrations. For programmatic access, Ledger also provides developer libraries and APIs; if you plan to use APIs, follow least-privilege and key-rotation practices.

Troubleshooting common issues

Device not detected

Try a different USB cable or port, ensure the device is unlocked, and verify Ledger Live permissions on your OS. On Linux, ensure AppImage is executable and udev rules are configured.

Missing accounts or balances

Re-add the account in Ledger Live and wait for synchronization. Different indexers may display slight timing differences — allow time for confirmations.

Privacy considerations

Ledger Live communicates minimal metadata to Ledger for portfolio valuation and app catalogs. Sensitive keys and passphrases remain local to your device. If privacy is a high priority, consider using your own node or privacy-focused wallets in combination with your Ledger device.

Getting help & resources

Consult Ledger’s official support center for detailed guides, FAQs, and contact options. When contacting support, never share your recovery phrase or private keys — provide only non-sensitive diagnostic information to help resolve issues.

Conclusion

Ledger Live is a secure, feature-rich companion to Ledger hardware wallets. By following installation steps, verifying firmware, protecting your recovery phrase, and confirming transactions on-device, you combine usability with strong security. Use Ledger Live as the trustworthy interface between your assets and the blockchain, and adopt ongoing hygiene practices to keep your holdings safe.

Download Ledger Live & Get Started