Ledger® Live: Download | Getting Started™ Ledger®
In today’s world of decentralized finance and self-custody, Ledger® Live has emerged as a cornerstone for secure crypto management. Acting as the bridge between your Ledger hardware wallet and the blockchain, Ledger Live is a comprehensive software suite that empowers users to manage, stake, buy, sell, and secure their digital assets all in one place. Whether you’re a first-time crypto user or a seasoned investor, understanding how to download Ledger Live and get started is essential for a safe and smooth crypto experience.
This guide covers everything you need to know—from download and installation to using features like buying, staking, and managing your portfolio.
What is Ledger® Live?
Ledger Live is the official companion app for Ledger Nano S Plus, Ledger Nano X, and Ledger Stax devices. It enables users to interact with their crypto wallets securely by offering:
- Real-time portfolio tracking
- Crypto buying, selling, and swapping
- Token staking and earning rewards
- App management for supported cryptocurrencies
- Seamless firmware updates and security enhancements
Ledger Live supports over 5,500 coins and tokens, making it one of the most versatile hardware wallet apps available.
Why Use Ledger Live?
Before diving into the setup, let’s look at why Ledger Live is the go-to platform for millions:
- Security First: It keeps your private keys offline, protected by the hardware device.
- All-in-One Interface: Buy, sell, stake, swap, and track—all without leaving the app.
- Non-Custodial Freedom: Only you control your assets. Ledger never holds your funds.
- Decentralized Finance Ready: Connect with dApps through Ledger Live + Ledger Extension.
- Multi-Platform: Available for Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS.
Step 1: Download Ledger Live
✅ Official Sources Only
To ensure maximum security, always download Ledger Live from the official Ledger website:
🔗 https://www.ledger.com/ledger-live
Avoid unofficial third-party sites or app stores, as fake versions can compromise your funds.
📥 Desktop Versions
- Windows (8.1+, 64-bit)
- macOS (10.14+, Intel and Apple Silicon)
- Linux (Ubuntu-based)
Once downloaded, follow the installation prompts to complete the setup.
📱 Mobile Versions
Available on both:
- Google Play Store: Ledger Live for Android
- Apple App Store: Ledger Live for iOS
Make sure to download the official app by Ledger SAS.
Step 2: Set Up Your Ledger Device
Once Ledger Live is installed, the next step is to set up your hardware wallet.
📦 Choose Your Ledger:
- Ledger Nano S Plus – Entry-level but supports 100+ apps simultaneously
- Ledger Nano X – Bluetooth-enabled, mobile-compatible
- Ledger Stax – Premium model with touchscreen and wireless charging
🔐 Setup Steps
- Connect device to computer/mobile
- Initialize as new device
- Create a PIN code
- Write down your 24-word recovery phrase
- Confirm your phrase on device
🚨 Important: Never share your 24-word recovery phrase. Ledger will never ask for it. Store it offline in a secure place.
Step 3: Pair Your Ledger Device with Ledger Live
Once your device is initialized:
- Open Ledger Live
- Choose “Set up as new device” or “Restore device” if you’re importing a wallet
- Follow on-screen steps to verify your device
- Install firmware updates (if available)
After successful connection, Ledger Live will now recognize your hardware wallet.
Step 4: Install Apps on Your Ledger
To manage different cryptocurrencies, install their respective Ledger apps through the Manager tab in Ledger Live.
For example:
- Bitcoin App → BTC
- Ethereum App → ETH, ERC-20 tokens
- Solana App → SOL, SPL tokens
- Polkadot App → DOT
Ledger Live will prompt you to confirm installations on your device.
Step 5: Add Accounts
After installing apps, add accounts for the cryptocurrencies you want to manage:
- Go to "Accounts" > "Add Account"
- Choose the asset (e.g., Ethereum)
- Connect and unlock your device
- Ledger Live will scan the blockchain for existing balances
- Accounts will appear on your dashboard
You can now receive, send, or swap that crypto directly within Ledger Live.
Step 6: Receive and Send Crypto
📥 Receive Crypto
- Click “Receive”
- Choose the crypto asset
- Unlock your device
- Confirm the receiving address
- Share it with the sender
Always verify the address on your Ledger device screen before confirming.
📤 Send Crypto
- Click “Send”
- Enter the recipient's address and amount
- Connect and confirm on your Ledger device
- Submit the transaction
Gas fees and network confirmation times will vary depending on the blockchain used.
Step 7: Buy Crypto with Ledger Live
Ledger Live partners with trusted third-party providers like MoonPay, Ramp, and Banxa to allow in-app purchases via:
- Debit/Credit cards
- Bank Transfers
- Apple Pay / Google Pay
Steps to Buy:
- Go to "Buy/Sell" tab
- Select the asset and payment method
- Verify the receiving address
- Complete the transaction
- Crypto lands directly into your Ledger wallet
Step 8: Swap Crypto
Swap one crypto for another without using exchanges.
- Go to "Swap" tab
- Choose your send and receive assets
- Enter the amount
- Verify swap info on your device
- Confirm the swap
Note: Swap availability depends on region and asset.
Step 9: Stake Crypto and Earn Rewards
Ledger Live lets you earn passive income by staking select coins:
🔥 Popular Supported Coins:
- Ethereum (ETH)
- Polkadot (DOT)
- Tezos (XTZ)
- Cosmos (ATOM)
- Algorand (ALGO)
To Stake:
- Add account for the stakable asset
- Go to the account > click “Earn Rewards”
- Choose a validator (or use Ledger’s default)
- Confirm on device
Rewards are deposited periodically based on blockchain protocols.
Step 10: Use the Discover Section
The Discover tab opens up a world of decentralized apps (dApps) inside Ledger Live. You can:
- Connect to Lido for liquid staking
- Access Paraswap for DeFi swaps
- Use WalletConnect to connect to external dApps
- Interact with NFT marketplaces like Rarible and OpenSea
All without exposing your private keys!
Step 11: Advanced Portfolio Management
Track your holdings with live charts, price feeds, and performance metrics.
- Get portfolio breakdown by asset
- View gains/losses over time
- Export transaction history for tax reporting
- Track both fiat value and crypto quantity
Ledger Live supports over 5,500+ coins, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, XRP, BNB, USDT, ADA, and more.
Step 12: Keep Ledger Live Updated
Regular updates to Ledger Live ensure:
- Compatibility with new coins
- Improved performance
- Enhanced security
- New features
Ledger Live will notify you of available updates, or you can check manually in:
Settings > About > Check for Updates
Always keep both Ledger Live and your Ledger device firmware up to date.
Extra Features
🌐 Ledger Live + Ledger Extension
With the new Ledger Extension, you can connect Ledger Live directly to Web3 apps and DeFi platforms like:
- Uniswap
- Aave
- Compound
- ENS Domains
No need to copy/paste addresses. Just sign transactions directly via Ledger hardware.
📲 Ledger Live Mobile Features
- Bluetooth support (Nano X & Stax)
- QR code scanning for quick payments
- Biometric access (Face ID / fingerprint)
- Seamless syncing with desktop version
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
❓ Is Ledger Live free to use?
Yes, Ledger Live is 100% free. You only pay standard network fees and optional third-party service fees (like MoonPay for buying crypto).
❓ What happens if I lose my device?
As long as you have your 24-word recovery phrase, you can restore your wallet on any compatible Ledger device or even a different wallet (like Trezor or MetaMask with manual import).
❓ Can I manage NFTs?
Yes! Ledger Live supports Ethereum and Polygon NFTs. Just go to the “NFT” tab under your Ethereum/Polygon account to view and manage.
❓ How secure is Ledger Live?
Ledger Live is non-custodial and works only with Ledger devices. All private keys stay on your hardware wallet, not your PC or mobile.