Ledger Live gives you a single, secure place to manage Bitcoin and a wide range of crypto assets. Paired with a Ledger hardware wallet, it brings self‑custody, transparent transactions, and portfolio visibility together—without surrendering your private keys.
Always download from the official vendor domain and verify every sensitive action on your hardware device screen before you approve it.
Ledger Live is the companion application for Ledger hardware wallets. It centralizes portfolio tracking, account management, and transaction workflows across supported networks. While the app helps prepare transactions and display balances, your private keys remain inside the hardware wallet’s secure element and never leave the device. Critical actions—like revealing a receive address or signing a transaction—require physical approval on your device, creating a strong defense against malware and phishing on your computer or phone.
The interface is available on Windows, macOS, and Linux, plus iOS and Android. It provides a familiar experience across platforms so you can check balances, receive funds, and prepare sends wherever you go. Power users can choose custom fees, label accounts, and fine‑tune preferences without overwhelming newcomers.
Linux users may need to install udev rules for device access.
Bluetooth is optional—transactions still require on‑device approval and keys never leave the hardware wallet.
Choose a strong PIN and write down your 24‑word recovery phrase offline. Confirm each word on the device. Never type your recovery phrase into any computer, browser, or app.
Never share your recovery phraseOpen Ledger Live, connect your device, and let the app verify authenticity. Approve prompts only on your device screen.
Approve on deviceFrom My Ledger, install apps for assets you plan to manage (e.g., Bitcoin or Ethereum). Removing an app later doesn’t remove funds or keys.
Apps ≠ fundsGo to Accounts → Add account, pick a coin, and let Ledger Live discover addresses. Use clear names like “BTC Savings” or “ETH Spending.”
Click Receive, pick an account, and verify the address on your device screen. Share it only after both match to defeat clipboard or overlay attacks.
Try a small transaction first. Paste the destination carefully, choose a sensible fee, and approve only when the on‑device details match your intent.
See balances across accounts and assets, switch between fiat and crypto units, and chart value changes over time to understand performance.
All critical actions require physical confirmation on the hardware wallet, dramatically reducing the risk of malware approving actions silently.
Use presets or custom fees. For Bitcoin, RBF (Replace‑By‑Fee) can help speed up stuck transactions when supported.
Install and manage coin apps in My Ledger. Storage is limited, so keep only what you need; reinstall later with no impact on funds.
Organize multiple accounts and annotate transactions for budgeting and tax records. Consistent labeling saves time during audits.
Monitor balances and incoming transactions on less‑trusted machines without connecting your signing device.
Test recovery using a spare device or an offline environment—not on your primary wallet.
Consider a dedicated user profile or machine for wallet tasks to reduce exposure.
Passphrase derives a separate wallet layered on top of your recovery phrase. It adds protection against physical compromise but increases complexity. Use it only if you fully understand backup and recovery implications.
Begin by connecting and unlocking your hardware wallet with your PIN. Choose an account in Ledger Live to view balances and recent activity. To receive, generate a fresh address and confirm it on the device screen before sharing. To send, paste the destination, set fees, and carefully compare the details between the app and your device. If anything looks suspicious, cancel and investigate—security defaults to “deny” until you approve on the device.
For long‑term holdings, segregate assets by purpose (for example, “Savings,” “DCA,” and “Spending”). Label movements to keep tax and accounting clean. When network fees spike, consider timing transfers during off‑peak hours or using fee‑bumping options when available.
| Aspect | Desktop | Mobile |
|---|---|---|
| Installation | Download from official site | Install from official app store |
| Connectivity | USB (stable, fast) | Bluetooth (if supported) or USB adapter |
| Best For | Regular management, multiple accounts | On‑the‑go checks and receives |
| Privacy | Dedicated user profile recommended | Strong device passcode + biometrics |
Yes. The app is free to download and use with compatible hardware wallets. Network fees apply when sending transactions; these are paid to the network.
Keys are stored inside the hardware wallet’s secure element. Ledger Live prepares transactions, but signing happens on the device after your approval.
Read‑only monitoring is possible, but secure sending requires a compatible Ledger device.
Restore your accounts on a new device using your 24‑word recovery phrase (and passphrase if enabled). Keep backups offline and secure.
Yes. Install specific coin apps on the device to manage those assets. Removing an app does not affect funds.
Passphrase adds a secret that derives a separate wallet. It improves security against physical compromise but increases complexity—use only if you can back it up reliably.
Self‑custody is empowering when paired with disciplined habits: confirm addresses on‑device, approve with intention, and keep your recovery phrase offline. Begin with tiny test amounts to get comfortable. As your confidence grows, organize accounts, label transactions, and schedule periodic health checks for backups and updates.