Ledger Live Download

Secure hardware wallet management — installation, features, safety tips, and troubleshooting.

This page guides you through downloading and using Ledger Live, Ledger’s companion app for their hardware wallets. It focuses on best practices, step-by-step instructions, and security recommendations to keep your crypto assets safe.

What is Ledger Live?

Ledger Live is a desktop and mobile application built by Ledger to manage cryptocurrency assets stored on Ledger hardware wallets. It provides users with a unified interface to view balances, buy or swap supported tokens, send and receive assets, and install or update apps on Ledger devices. Crucially, the private keys remain on the hardware wallet — Ledger Live is a management layer intended to communicate with the device, not to replace the device’s security model.

Why use Ledger Live?

Secure key management: Private keys never leave the hardware wallet.
Portfolio visibility: See all your supported assets in one place.
App management: Install or remove cryptocurrency apps on the Ledger device.
Transactions: Create, sign, and broadcast transactions with on-device confirmations.
Maintenance: Firmware updates and device diagnostics are available through the app.

Supported platforms

Ledger Live is available for major desktop operating systems and mobile platforms. Download only from Ledger’s official site or verified app stores to avoid counterfeit installers. Always verify the installer signature where available.

Desktop

Windows, macOS, and Linux installers are provided. Ledger recommends using the latest stable OS version and running the installer with normal user privileges; avoid installing packages from unknown sources.

Mobile

Ledger Live is available on iOS and Android. For mobile devices, prefer official app store installs and keep automatic updates enabled so you receive security patches promptly.

Before you download: safety checklist

Confirm the website URL: ledger.com is the official domain (always check carefully).
Use a secure internet connection — avoid public Wi‑Fi when performing wallet operations.
Do not share your 24‑word recovery phrase with anyone; Ledger will never ask for it via the app or support channels.
Keep your device firmware and Ledger Live updated. Back up your recovery phrase offline and store it in a safe location.
If you suspect compromise, move funds to a new wallet after creating a new recovery phrase and device.

Step-by-step — Download and install Ledger Live

Visit the official site: Open your browser and go to the official Ledger website. Double-check the domain and SSL certificate.
Select platform: Choose the appropriate installer for your operating system.
Download: Save the installer to a known folder. On mobile, open the app store link from the official site to avoid typosquatting apps.
Verify (optional but recommended): If you’re technically inclined, verify the installer signature or checksum provided by Ledger against the downloaded file.
Run the installer: Follow on-screen instructions. On macOS, you may need to allow the app from Security & Privacy if Gatekeeper blocks it.
Open Ledger Live: After installation, launch the app. The first run will guide you through setting up or connecting a Ledger hardware device.

Connecting your Ledger device

When you connect a Ledger hardware wallet (e.g., Ledger Nano S Plus, Ledger Nano X), the app will detect it and prompt you to continue. You’ll typically be asked to:

Unlock the device with your PIN on the hardware wallet.
Open the Ledger Live Manager on the device to allow the desktop app to manage installed apps.
Confirm actions on the device for security-sensitive operations (e.g., signing transactions or allowing firmware updates).

Common features and workflows

Portfolio & Accounts

Ledger Live organizes accounts by blockchain. You can add multiple accounts for the same asset (for example, multiple Bitcoin accounts). Balances shown in the app are read-only until you sign transactions on-device.

Send & Receive

To receive funds, copy the receiving address from Ledger Live and verify the same address on your hardware device display. When sending, Ledger Live creates a transaction which you confirm by checking the details on the device screen before approving.

Security best practices

Security is multi-layered. Here are concrete steps to reduce risk:

Never enter your recovery phrase into software: No legitimate app or support representative will ask you to type your 24 words into their software.
Use a secure PIN: Choose a PIN you can remember but is not easy to guess. Avoid sequential numbers or birthdays.
Protect your backup: Write the recovery phrase on durable material and store it offline. Consider fireproof and waterproof backup options.
Enable passphrase (if you understand it): Ledger devices offer an optional passphrase to create hidden wallets. Only use this if you understand the risks and backup requirements — losing the passphrase means losing the funds in that hidden account.
Keep firmware updated: Firmware updates patch vulnerabilities. Only update from official Ledger tools and confirm prompts on the device itself.

Troubleshooting

Installer doesn’t run

Check that the downloaded file is complete and that your OS meets minimum requirements. On Windows, allow the installer to run through SmartScreen if you downloaded from the official site. On macOS, you may need to right-click and choose "Open" to bypass Gatekeeper for first-time installs.

Device not detected

Try a different USB port or cable (data-capable, not power-only). Reboot your computer and confirm the device shows a PIN unlock screen. On mobile, ensure the cable and OTG adapter (if required) support data transfer.

App sync issues

Sync problems can often be fixed by restarting Ledger Live, reconnecting your device, and ensuring you have the latest app and firmware versions. Avoid interrupting a firmware update.

Advanced: verifying installer integrity

If you want an additional layer of verification, Ledger publishes checksums and sometimes digital signatures. Steps generally include:

Download the checksum file from the official site.
Compute the checksum locally (for example, sha256sum on Linux/macOS or a verified tool on Windows).
Compare the computed value to the value provided by Ledger. If they match, the file is unchanged.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Can Ledger Live hold my funds?

No. Ledger Live is an interface; private keys are stored on the hardware device. Ledger Live cannot move funds without physical confirmation on the device.

What if I lose my Ledger device?

If you lose your device but still have your recovery phrase, you can restore your wallet on a new Ledger device or other compatible hardware wallet. If you lose both the device and the recovery phrase, funds are unrecoverable.

Is Ledger Live free?

Yes — Ledger Live is free to download and use. Some integrated services (third-party exchanges, swaps, or purchasing through partners) may charge fees for transactions outside the hardware wallet signing process.

Integrations and third-party services

Ledger Live integrates with several third-party partners for buying, swapping, and staking certain assets. These integrations route through partner services; review fees and privacy policies before using them. Always confirm transaction details on your hardware device regardless of the source.

Design and accessibility notes

This document uses high-contrast text and simple layout patterns to help readability. In Ledger Live itself, enable system-level accessibility features for larger text or screen readers as needed.

Final recommendations

Always download Ledger Live from the official Ledger domain or trusted app stores.
Keep your recovery phrase offline and never share it.
Verify critical operations on the hardware device screen before approving.
Create a cold-storage plan and test recovery steps with small amounts before moving large balances.