Ledger Live is a desktop and mobile application designed to help cryptocurrency holders interact with their hardware wallet, check portfolio balances, send and receive assets, access staking and apps, and keep their private keys offline and secure. The following content covers what Ledger Live does, how it protects your assets, practical workflows, and best practices for both new and experienced users.
What Ledger Live does
At its core, the app acts as a local interface to your hardware wallet. It reads account balances from the blockchain, composes transactions locally, and requires confirmation from the hardware device to sign any movement of funds. That simple, double-checked workflow ensures private keys never leave the hardware device. Ledger Live supports hundreds of coins and tokens, displaying consolidated portfolio views, historical charts, and transaction details for every connected account.
Key features
Secure transaction signing
Transactions are prepared in the app and cryptographically signed on the hardware device. This means your private keys remain offline even while interacting with decentralized services.
Multi-asset portfolio
Hold Bitcoin, Ethereum, and many altcoins across accounts. Ledger Live aggregates balances and shows performance over time.
Built-in staking & services
Stake supported coins directly via Ledger Live, or connect to partner services for swaps, buying, and earning, while still requiring device confirmation.
App catalog
Install blockchain-specific apps to your Ledger device through Ledger Live for expanded compatibility and new chains.
How security works
Ledger Live is designed to work with a hardware wallet that stores your private keys in a secure element. The app communicates with that device to fetch public keys and addresses, then constructs transactions locally. Before any transaction moves, the device displays human-readable details (amount, recipient address, fees) and asks for physical confirmation — a button press on the hardware device. This duality — an online interface for convenience, paired with an offline signing device — is the foundation of best-practice crypto custody.
Getting started — basic workflow
To use Ledger Live you typically:
- Download the official Ledger Live app from the vendor’s site and verify checksums if available.
- Create and initialize your hardware wallet, writing down the recovery phrase and storing it offline.
- Install the blockchain apps you need onto the hardware wallet via Ledger Live's manager.
- Add accounts inside Ledger Live for each coin or token you plan to manage.
- Send and receive funds using the app — every outgoing transaction must be confirmed on the device.
Best practices
Always keep your recovery phrase secret and offline. Never enter it into any app, website, or device except the initial setup of your hardware wallet. Use a strong PIN on your device, and keep device firmware and Ledger Live updated from official releases. Be careful with third-party integrations — use them only when you understand how they interact with your device. Finally, consider a hardware backup plan such as using a second device or encrypted multi-signature setup for larger holdings.
Who should use Ledger Live?
Ledger Live suits a wide range of users: new crypto holders who want an easier way to interact with a hardware wallet without sacrificing security; power users who manage multiple coins and want consolidated analytics; and those seeking to stake or access partner services while maintaining on-device confirmation for every critical operation.
Limitations and considerations
No single solution is a silver bullet. While Ledger Live plus a hardware wallet provides strong protection against remote hacks and many forms of social engineering, physical theft, coercion, and human mistakes (like losing the recovery phrase) are still risks. Regularly review official guides and support pages to remain informed about updates and security recommendations.
Using Ledger Live responsibly means pairing technical security with personal security practices — offline backups, safe storage, and cautious online behavior.