Ledger Live App®

The official mobile and desktop application for Ledger hardware wallets. Ledger Live App® keeps private keys on-device while giving you an approachable interface for account management, transactions, staking, swapping, and portfolio tracking.

Overview

Ledger Live App® provides a unified experience across platforms: a full-featured desktop client (Windows, macOS, Linux) and a mobile app (iOS, Android). The app’s core principle is non-custodial control — private keys are generated and stored on Ledger devices, and all sensitive cryptographic operations require on-device confirmation.

Core features

  • Account management for Bitcoin, Ethereum, and many other chains and tokens.
  • On-device signing: confirm transactions on your Ledger hardware before they are broadcast.
  • Integrated staking and swap services through vetted partners.
  • Device manager for installing blockchain apps and applying firmware updates.
  • Portfolio dashboards and exportable transaction history for reporting.

Download & installation

Always download Ledger Live App® from the official Ledger domain or the official app stores (Apple App Store / Google Play). For desktop installers, Ledger provides checksums and signed artifacts — verify them when installing on shared or untrusted machines.

Quick install

  1. Visit the official Ledger Live download page and select your platform.
  2. Download and, if possible, verify the checksum or signature.
  3. Install the app and follow first-run prompts to connect your Ledger device.

Tip: Keep a verified copy of release checksums if you manage multiple installations.

Setup & pairing

Ledger Live App® supports new device initialization and restoring from an existing recovery phrase. Desktop pairing uses USB; mobile pairing can use Bluetooth (Ledger Nano X) or USB. During setup, create a strong PIN and securely record the recovery phrase—this is the single point of recovery for your assets.

New device

  1. Power on your Ledger device and choose Set up as new device.
  2. Create a PIN on the device and write down the recovery phrase precisely as shown.
  3. Open Ledger Live App® and follow the on-screen steps to add accounts and install apps to the device.

Restoring

To restore, select Restore device on-device and input your recovery phrase using the hardware UI. After restoring, connect to Ledger Live App® to resynchronize accounts and transaction history.

Security model & best practices

Ledger Live App® works with Ledger hardware to keep private keys in a tamper-resistant secure element. The host application constructs transactions, but the device displays human-readable fields (amount, recipient, fees) for you to verify and approve. Follow these best practices to minimize risk:

  • Buy devices from official channels to reduce supply-chain attacks.
  • Record your recovery phrase on physical media (paper, metal) and store backups in separate secure locations.
  • Never input your recovery phrase into software or online forms.
  • Verify transaction details on-device before confirming any signature.
  • Keep Ledger Live App® and device firmware updated; verify releases when possible.

Daily operations: send, receive, stake, swap

Typical workflows in Ledger Live App® are designed to be simple but secure. The app builds the transaction and the device requires your physical confirmation to sign.

Receive

  1. Select the receiving account in the app and click Receive.
  2. Connect your Ledger device to display the receiving address on-device.
  3. Verify the on-device address matches the app before sharing it.

Send

  1. Compose the transaction in the app and choose fee settings.
  2. Review the transaction in the app and then verify the exact details on the device screen.
  3. Confirm on the device to sign and broadcast.

Staking & swaps

Ledger Live App® integrates vetted partners for staking and swaps. Private keys remain on-device; third parties receive signed instructions only. Review fees, slippage, and lockups before confirming.

Device manager & firmware updates

Use the device manager in Ledger Live App® to install blockchain-specific apps, update firmware, and check device authenticity. Always back up your recovery phrase before applying major firmware updates, and follow official release notes for any required migration steps.

Safe update steps

  • Backup recovery phrase.
  • Verify release notes and signed artifacts when available.
  • Apply updates on a stable machine and avoid interruptions.

Privacy & telemetry

Ledger Live App® minimizes telemetry and offers opt-outs. For users needing stronger privacy, consider dedicated network setups, air-gapped signing, and minimizing metadata exposure. Mobile users should follow OS security best practices and keep their devices updated.

Developer integrations

Developers can integrate Ledger support using official SDKs and wallet adapters. Integrations should never require exporting private keys—route signing requests to the device and log only non-sensitive metadata. Test with physical devices during QA and adhere to secure coding standards.

Troubleshooting & support

Common issues include connectivity problems, pairing errors, and update interruptions. Try alternate cables or ports, verify Bluetooth permissions on mobile, and collect diagnostic logs for support. For lost or compromised recovery phrases, restore to a new device and transfer funds where possible.