What is Ledger Live?
Ledger Live is the official companion application from Ledger that lets you manage your cryptocurrency and NFTs while keeping your private keys safely stored on a Ledger hardware device. Whether you're checking balances, sending funds, staking, or exploring decentralized apps, Ledger Live acts as the trusted control center that connects a user-friendly interface to the iron-clad security of a hardware wallet.
Core benefits
At its heart, Ledger Live separates "signing" from "connecting." Your private keys never leave your Ledger device — all transaction approvals happen physically on the device screen. Ledger Live handles the non-sensitive tasks: portfolio overview, price tracking, app management, and integrations with partners in DeFi and NFT marketplaces.
Secure by design
Private keys remain isolated within your Ledger hardware wallet. Ledger Live communicates only signed requests — reducing exposure to online threats.
Multi-asset support
Track hundreds of coins and tokens in one place, from Bitcoin and Ethereum to many ERC-20 tokens and popular altcoins.
Send, receive, swap
Conveniently send and receive crypto, or use built-in swap and exchange integrations without exposing your keys.
Staking & earning
Participate in staking and earn rewards directly from the app for supported networks — all approvals confirmed on your device.
How Ledger Live works (brief)
The app stores non-sensitive metadata like account names and transaction history locally or optionally in encrypted cloud sync. When a transaction is initiated, Ledger Live constructs the unsigned transaction and sends it to your Ledger device. You review the full transaction summary on the device and physically approve it. The device signs the transaction and returns a signature to Ledger Live, which then broadcasts it to the network. This separation of duties combines convenience with strong, hardware-backed security.
User experience highlights
Ledger Live focuses on making crypto management less intimidating: a consolidated portfolio view shows current balances and price changes; an activity feed chronicles recent transactions; onboarding helper screens guide new users through installing apps and adding accounts. The design balances clarity with practical controls so both beginners and advanced users can move confidently.
Safety tips when using Ledger Live
- Always download Ledger Live from the official Ledger website to avoid malicious copies.
- Never share your 24-word recovery phrase with anyone — Ledger support will never ask for it.
- Verify transaction details on your Ledger device screen before approving.
- Use a strong OS password and enable device-level encryption where available.
Who should use Ledger Live?
Ledger Live is ideal for anyone who wants to control their own keys while benefiting from a polished software experience. Casual holders who want straightforward portfolio tracking, power users who interact with DeFi, and collectors who manage NFTs can all find value. Businesses and institutions can also use Ledger's higher-grade solutions for custody with Ledger Live as a part of their workflow.