Overview: This guide introduces Ledger Live — the official desktop & mobile app for managing Ledger hardware wallets — and walks you through logging in, initial setup, security best practices, and quick tips for account & recovery management.
Ledger Live is the all-in-one crypto wallet application that interfaces with Ledger hardware devices to keep private keys offline while letting users view balances, send/receive crypto, buy/sell, swap, and stake supported assets. Ledger Live acts as the trusted bridge between your device and the blockchain while preserving device-held secrets on secure hardware.
Because private keys never leave your Ledger device, Ledger Live enables everyday operations without exposing your recovery phrase. It provides a single dashboard to manage accounts across many blockchains with built-in checks to verify app signatures and binary integrity.
Follow these steps to get comfortable with Ledger Live:
Never enter your 24-word recovery phrase into any app or website. Ledger Live will never ask for your recovery phrase. If any software or webpage requests it, treat it as a scam. Keep your PIN private and use official download sources only.
Ledger Live "login" is actually a local app unlock plus hardware confirmation — you open the app, connect your Ledger device (via USB or Bluetooth on supported models), and confirm any requested actions on the device screen. For account-level access, pair the device and open the desired account in the Ledger Live interface.
Problems like "device not recognized" are usually fixed by checking cables, ports, drivers (on Windows), or by updating Ledger Live to the latest version from official sources. If the device remains unrecognized, try another computer or consult the official support guides.
Inside Ledger Live, navigate to Accounts and choose Add account. Select the blockchain (Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, etc.) and follow the prompts — you will confirm the account address on your device when required. Ledger Live supports a wide range of assets and integrates swap/buy providers for convenience.
Open any of the official Ledger resources below for downloads, getting started steps, support articles, and educational material. (All links open in a new tab.)
Ledger provides strict guidance about the recovery phrase. Use the Ledger Recovery or official recovery process only as documented. Consider a secondary physical backup and keep it offline. If you lose your device, your funds remain recoverable using the recovery phrase — but only if the phrase is secure and uncompromised.
If there are suspicious prompts, unusual transactions, or difficulty verifying installed software signatures, stop and consult official Ledger Support pages. Do not follow third-party recovery instructions that ask for your seed phrase.
Ledger Live is the secure interface to manage your Ledger-protected wallets. Always download Ledger Live from official Ledger pages, verify signatures if you want extra assurance, never share your recovery phrase, and approve transactions only on your physical device. Follow the official guides linked above for step-by-step help and troubleshooting.