Ledger Live
A secure bridge between you and your crypto
Ledger Live pairs with Ledger hardware wallets to provide a safe, convenient interface for viewing balances, installing blockchain apps, and signing transactions. With the private keys locked inside a secure element, Ledger Live offers portfolio visibility without increasing your attack surface.
Device-backed security
Private keys never leave your Ledger device. Ledger Live acts as a manager and viewer — signing always happens on the hardware.
Multi-asset support
Manage Bitcoin, Ethereum, NFTs, and hundreds of tokens through Ledger Live’s integrated account system.
Integrated updates
Ledger Live handles firmware updates and app installs with signed releases to ensure authenticity.
Why Ledger Live matters
In practice, many users face the trade-off between convenience and safety. Wallets on your phone or computer are convenient but expose private keys to networked threats. Ledger Live solves this by providing a familiar app interface while ensuring that signing — the sensitive operation — happens only on your Ledger device’s secure element. This separation reduces risk while retaining usability for everyday portfolio management.
Core workflows
Installing & managing apps
Ledger Live manages blockchain-specific apps that run on-device. Install only the apps you need to conserve device storage. Each app enables Ledger Live to derive addresses for the corresponding chain and to present transaction data for on-device verification.
Sending & receiving
Compose transactions in Ledger Live and confirm details on your device screen before signing. For receiving funds, generate an address in Ledger Live and verify it on-device to avoid address substitution attacks.
Account & profile management
Ledger Live stores a local profile that keeps your account metadata, settings, and preferences. You can protect the profile with a password. Profiles are local to your machine; if you switch computers, export and import profiles securely or re-pair a Ledger device to rebuild your account list.
Security best practices
Ledger Live is secure only when paired with safe device and user practices. Adopt the following controls for a stronger security posture:
- Download Ledger Live only from the official Ledger website or trusted app stores.
- Never enter your recovery phrase into any computer or phone — the seed is generated on-device and must remain offline.
- Verify firmware signatures when prompted during updates.
- Confirm transaction details on the Ledger device screen before approving.
- Use passphrases for hidden wallets cautiously — losing a passphrase means losing access to funds tied to it.
Advanced features for power users
Multisig support
Integrate Ledger devices into multisig setups to distribute trust across multiple signers and reduce single points of failure for large holdings.
Staking & DeFi integrations
Ledger Live integrates with select partners for staking, swapping, and DeFi access while ensuring signature approval remains on-device.
NFT management
Manage NFTs tied to supported chains using Ledger Live and partner integrations to view and transfer collectibles securely.
Troubleshooting common issues
Device not detected
Try a different USB cable or port, ensure Ledger Live is up to date, and avoid USB hubs. On mobile, check Bluetooth permissions and compatibility for your model.
Transaction not showing
Blockchain propagation can vary. Confirm the transaction on a block explorer using the transaction ID. If the issue persists, ensure Ledger Live is synced and the account derivation paths are correct.
FAQ
Does Ledger Live store my private keys?
No. Private keys remain on your Ledger device. Ledger Live only holds non-sensitive metadata and communicates with the device to request signatures.
Can I use Ledger Live without a Ledger device?
No. Ledger Live is designed to work in concert with Ledger hardware wallets to provide secure signing and key custody.
How often should I update Ledger Live?
Regularly. Updates include security improvements, new integrations, and bug fixes — keep Ledger Live and your device firmware current using official channels.