Ledger® Live App® — Getting Started | official Ledger Wallet™ App

Managing your cryptocurrency securely and easily begins with the Ledger® Live App®, the official wallet companion application from Ledger that combines security, ease‑of‑use, and powerful features all in one place. Whether you’re brand new to crypto or upgrading from a different wallet, this guide walks you through everything from installation to advanced steps like staking, swapping, and security best practices.

1. What Is the Ledger® Live App®?

The Ledger® Live App® is the official, non‑custodial wallet application developed by Ledger to let users manage their digital assets securely. When paired with a Ledger hardware wallet (like Nano S Plus, Nano X, or Stax), it becomes the central interface for sending, receiving, buying, selling, staking, and tracking cryptocurrencies — all while keeping your private keys safely offline on your device.

The app supports a massive range of assets — thousands of coins and tokens across major blockchains — and offers portfolio tracking and integrated DeFi access, making it a comprehensive hub for managing your crypto portfolio.

2. Why You Need the Ledger® Live App®

Without the Ledger® Live App®, your Ledger hardware wallet only holds private keys — it cannot interact with the blockchain on its own. Here’s why Ledger Live is indispensable:

Security — Transactions must be physically confirmed on your hardware wallet, keeping your private keys offline and inaccessible to malware or hackers.
Portfolio View — See real‑time balances, performance, and transaction history across all your accounts in one dashboard.
Multi‑Asset Support — Manage Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, Cardano, and thousands of tokens — with new assets regularly added.
Buy, Sell & Swap — Integrated services allow you to directly buy or swap assets without leaving the app.
Staking Rewards — Earn rewards on supported proof‑of‑stake assets like ETH, SOL, and more.
DeFi & NFT Access — Explore decentralized applications and NFTs within a secure interface.

With all these capabilities, Ledger Live is more than a simple wallet — it’s a complete crypto management suite.

3. Supported Platforms

The Ledger® Live App® is available on:

Windows (10+)
macOS
Linux (Ubuntu & derivatives)
iOS (iPhone & iPad)
Android (phones & tablets)

You can download the official app from the Ledger website or app stores for mobile devices — just make sure you’re using legitimate links (more on that below).

4. Safety First — Avoid Scams

Crypto scams are rampant worldwide, and fake Ledger installers are especially dangerous. Malicious versions of Ledger Live have circulated that phish your seed phrase by mimicking the app and asking for your recovery phrase directly — something Ledger never does.

Always download the Ledger Live app from official sources:
👉 https://ledger.com/start

Ledger Support will never ask for your 24‑word recovery phrase, email you installers, or reach out unsolicited. If you see such requests — it’s a scam.

5. Step‑by‑Step: Installing the Ledger® Live App®

A. Install on Desktop (Windows/macOS/Linux)

Visit the official Ledger setup page: https://ledger.com/start.
Click “Download Ledger Live” and choose your OS.
Open the installer and follow the on‑screen prompts.
Once installed, launch the Ledger® Live App® from your applications folder.

B. Install on Mobile (iOS & Android)

Open your device’s official app store (App Store or Google Play).
Search for Ledger Live or click the download link from Ledger.com.
Install and open the app.

Mobile versions support Bluetooth for devices like the Nano X, enabling wireless connections.

6. First‑Time Setup: Get Ready to Use Ledger Live

After you install the Ledger® Live App®, follow these steps:

Connect & Initialize Your Device

Connect your Ledger hardware wallet to your computer or phone (via USB or Bluetooth).
Power it on and choose your language on the device screen.
Select Set up as new device (or restore if you have an existing recovery phrase).
Choose a secure PIN code and confirm it.
Write down your 24‑word recovery phrase exactly as shown and keep it offline.

Your recovery phrase is the master key to your wallet — if your device is ever lost or damaged, this phrase is the only way to recover your funds. Never store it digitally.

Pair the Device With Ledger Live

Once your device is initialized:

Open the Ledger® Live App® on your computer or phone.
Click Get Started.
Choose your device model (Nano S Plus, Nano X, or Stax).
Follow the pairing instructions in the app — this usually involves confirming a pairing code on your device.

Once paired, Ledger Live will detect your device and sync with it.

7. Adding Your First Crypto Accounts

Now that your Ledger® Live App® and hardware wallet are connected:

In Ledger Live, go to the Accounts section.
Click + Add account.
Select the cryptocurrency you want to manage.
Ledger Live will prompt you to install the relevant blockchain app on your device.
Open that app on your Ledger device to verify and sync.
Name the account (optional) and click Add account.

With the account added, you’ll start seeing balance data and transaction history directly in Ledger Live.

8. Core Functions of Ledger Live

The Ledger® Live App® offers a wide range of tools that make crypto management intuitive:

Portfolio Dashboard

Your dashboard shows balances, asset allocation, price movements, and total portfolio performance — all in real time.

Send & Receive

You can securely send funds to any address or receive crypto by sharing your public wallet address — all transactions must be confirmed on your Ledger device.

Buy & Sell

Third‑party integrations let you buy crypto with fiat (like USD or EUR) using payment services such as MoonPay or Ramp — all through Ledger Live’s interface.

Swap Assets

Swap one cryptocurrency for another without moving funds off your wallet. Ledger Live compares rates from partners for convenience.

Staking & Rewards

Stake supported assets (like Ethereum or Tezos) and track your rewards inside Ledger Live.

Explore DeFi & NFTs

Use Ledger Live to explore decentralized apps and manage NFTs.

9. Staying Secure With Ledger Live

Security should always come first when handling crypto. Here’s how to get the most secure experience with the Ledger® Live App®:

Never enter your 24‑word phrase in any app or website. Ledger Live will never ask you to do so.
Keep Ledger Live and your device firmware up to date. This ensures you have the latest security patches.
Confirm all transactions physically on the hardware wallet. This keeps your keys safe.
Download only from official URLs or trusted app stores. Fake versions are a major risk.

10. Troubleshooting & Common Questions

What if Ledger Live doesn’t detect my device?
Make sure your USB cable is fully connected, unlocked on the device, and you’ve confirmed the pairing code. Sometimes switching ports or cables helps.

Can I use Ledger Live without the hardware device?
You can install Ledger Live and view features, but accounts and transaction capabilities require a Ledger hardware wallet.

Does Ledger Live store my private keys?
No. Ledger Live is merely a management interface. All private keys remain on your hardware wallet.

11. Next Steps After Setup

Once you’ve completed the basic setup, you can:

Explore advanced Ledger Live features like DeFi and NFTs.
Connect to decentralized applications (dApps) securely.
Learn best practices for staking and asset diversification.
Frequently back up and verify your recovery phrase and device firmware.

Conclusion

The Ledger® Live App® is the cornerstone of securely interacting with your crypto assets using a Ledger hardware wallet. From initial setup to advanced features like staking, swapping, and NFT interaction, Ledger Live provides a secure, intuitive, and powerful toolset for modern crypto users.

Always prioritize official sources when downloading and using Ledger Live, safeguard your recovery phrase, and confirm actions physically on your hardware device — that’s the Ledger way to keep your crypto secure and under your control.