Download the official companion app for your Ledger hardware wallet. Securely manage, swap, and grow your digital assets from your desktop or mobile device.
The application known as **Ledger Live** is the indispensable software layer that complements your Ledger hardware wallet. It is not the wallet itself; rather, it is the secure bridge connecting your cold storage device—where your private keys are immutably held—to the dynamic world of cryptocurrency networks. The true **Ledger Live Wallet** is the combination of the physical Ledger hardware and this sophisticated application. This design architecture is fundamental to Ledger’s promise of uncompromised security: your private keys never leave the secure element chip within the device, even when you are viewing your portfolio, sending a transaction, or interacting with decentralized finance (DeFi) applications. This separation of concerns ensures that no online threat can ever compromise your most valuable asset: your seed phrase.
The app provides an intuitive, all-in-one interface for managing over 5,500 coins and tokens, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, and thousands of ERC-20 tokens, along with all your non-fungible tokens (NFTs). From a single dashboard, you can track real-time portfolio value, verify transaction history, and perform operations that are all secured by a physical confirmation on your Ledger device. This unified experience is what makes the **Ledger Live** application the gold standard for secure, self-custody management in the digital asset space.
If you have just acquired a Ledger hardware wallet—be it a Nano S Plus or Nano X—your journey begins at **Ledger.com/start**. This official web address is the canonical destination for setting up your new device and initiating the crucial **Ledger Live Download**. It is imperative that users always navigate directly to this source to ensure they are downloading authentic, untampered software and avoiding malicious phishing sites. The setup process is a critical security moment, and the Ledger website provides step-by-step instructions to guide you through generating your 24-word recovery phrase, setting your PIN, and verifying your device’s authenticity.
Once you successfully complete the **Ledger Live Download** from the official portal, the application itself will guide you through connecting your physical device for the first time. The software acts as a verification tool, communicating directly with the Secure Element chip to confirm that your hardware is legitimate and running the latest firmware. This initial setup is where you install the necessary blockchain apps onto your device to begin managing specific cryptocurrencies. For a deeper understanding of the security features, including how the hardware ensures the security of every transaction you make, please refer to our **Security & Login Details** section below.
The **Ledger.com/start** page is continually updated with the latest system requirements and installation files for Windows, macOS, and Linux, ensuring compatibility and stability across all major operating systems. Always remember: the software is free, but your vigilance is priceless. Only trust the official download source.
The power of the Ledger ecosystem lies in its flexibility, offering robust solutions for both stationary and mobile users. The **Ledger Live Desktop** version, available for Windows, macOS, and Linux, provides the most comprehensive experience, often preferred for initial setup and extensive portfolio management. The larger screen space is ideal for portfolio visualization, running multiple accounts, and complex interactions like staking or accessing the Discover section. Desktop users typically connect their Ledger device via a USB cable, offering a physical, tamper-proof connection.
Conversely, the **Ledger Live App** brings the security of your hardware wallet into your pocket. Available on iOS and Android, the mobile application allows users to check balances, receive crypto, and initiate transactions on the go. While a Nano S Plus typically requires a cable for mobile connection, the Nano X is equipped with Bluetooth functionality, allowing for secure, wireless connection to the **Ledger Live App**. It is crucial to note that even when using the Bluetooth connection, the private keys remain locked within the Secure Element chip and are never transmitted wirelessly. All transaction details must still be physically verified and confirmed on the device's small screen. For details on how Ledger Live handles sending and receiving, including managing fees and confirming addresses, please check out the **Transaction Guide** section for best practices.
Whether you opt for the **Ledger Live Desktop** or the **Ledger Live App**, the core functionality and security architecture remain identical. The software acts as a secure window, allowing you to view and interact with the blockchain, with all mission-critical operations—signing transactions—delegated only to the isolated, offline hardware device.
One of the most powerful security features of the Ledger ecosystem is the absence of a traditional **Ledger Live Login** using an email and password. Since the Ledger Live application stores only public information (account balances, transaction history), and never your private keys, there is no need for a conventional username/password combination that could be compromised in a server breach. The true 'login' occurs when you connect your Ledger device and enter its unique PIN code directly into the device itself.
This two-factor process—**something you have** (the Ledger device) and **something you know** (the PIN)—is the core of the security model. When you open Ledger Live, you are prompted to connect your device. Once connected and unlocked via your PIN, the application synchronizes with the blockchain using the public addresses derived from your device. This process ensures that no one can access or transact with your funds without physical access to your hardware wallet and knowledge of your PIN.
While the application does offer an optional software password lock (Settings > Security) to prevent unauthorized viewing of your portfolio data if your computer is stolen or accessed, this remains an optional, secondary layer. The primary security boundary is always the Ledger hardware device. Never, under any circumstances, should you ever enter your 24-word recovery phrase into the **Ledger Live App**, the **Ledger Live Desktop** application, or any other website. Your recovery phrase is the master key to your funds and should only ever be entered on the Ledger device's physical screen during setup or recovery.
Managing your portfolio through the **Ledger Live Wallet** is designed to be as seamless as possible while adhering to the highest security standards. Receiving crypto is simple: select the account, click 'Receive,' and the application generates a unique public address. You must always confirm this address on your Ledger device's screen before sharing it or sending funds to it. This step, confirmed on the trusted display of the hardware, prevents man-in-the-middle attacks where malware might swap the destination address on your computer screen.
Sending transactions is where the hardware's security shines. After you initiate a 'Send' request in the **Ledger Live App** or Desktop, the transaction is prepared and sent to the physical device. The device then displays the full transaction details—amount, destination address, and fees—on its small, secure screen. Only after you physically press the confirmation buttons on the device does it sign the transaction with your private key (which never leaves the chip). The signed transaction is then broadcast to the network via Ledger Live. This comprehensive security procedure is why the combination of the Ledger hardware and the Ledger Live software is considered one of the most secure setups for self-custody in the crypto world.