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Ledger® Live — Getting Started | official Ledger Wallet App

Introduction to Ledger® Live

Cryptocurrencies have transformed how we view money and digital ownership. But with innovation comes the responsibility of keeping your digital assets safe. Ledger Live is the official companion application for Ledger hardware wallets — providing a secure, intuitive interface where you can view, send, receive, buy, swap, and grow your crypto portfolio — all while your private keys remain offline and protected. Ledger+1

Ledger Live is trusted by millions of users and is designed to work seamlessly across desktop and mobile devices. It supports thousands of cryptocurrencies — enabling you to manage everything from Bitcoin to emerging decentralized assets in one place. Ledger

Why Ledger® Live Matters

At its core, Ledger Live brings security, control, and convenience together:

🔐 Security First
Ledger Live works hand‑in‑hand with your hardware wallet. Your private keys — the secret codes that give access to your crypto — never leave the secure chip inside your Ledger device. Every transaction is verified physically on the device itself. This protects your funds from malware and online hacks. Ledger Live Official

📊 Unified Portfolio View
See all your crypto assets across accounts in one clean dashboard with real‑time price data and performance history. Ledger

💱 Built‑In Crypto Actions
You can do more than store cryptocurrencies:

  • Buy and sell crypto with trusted payment partners.
  • Swap assets directly within the app.
  • Stake selected assets to earn rewards.
  • Explore decentralized finance (DeFi) and Web3 applications. Ledger

Step 1 — Download & Install Ledger Live

The first step to getting started with Ledger Live is to install it on your computer or mobile device:

Desktop (Windows, macOS, Linux)

  1. Visit the official Ledger site and navigate to the Ledger Live download page.
  2. Select your operating system and download the installer.
  3. Run the installer and follow the on‑screen instructions.
  4. Launch the app once installation is complete. Ledger Start® Setup Guide

Mobile (iOS & Android)

  1. Open your device’s official app store (Apple App Store or Google Play).
  2. Search for “Ledger Live” and download the app published by Ledger.
  3. Open Ledger Live and prepare to link your Ledger hardware wallet. Ledger Start® Setup Guide
🚨 Security tip: Always download Ledger Live directly from Ledger.com or official app stores. Avoid links from emails or third‑party websites to protect against fake or malicious apps. TechRadar

Step 2 — Connect Your Ledger Hardware Wallet

Ledger Live works together with your physical Ledger hardware wallet — such as Ledger Nano S Plus, Ledger Nano X, or Ledger Stax.

  1. Connect your Ledger device to your computer or mobile device (via USB or Bluetooth, depending on model).
  2. Unlock the device with your PIN.
  3. Ledger Live should detect the device automatically. Ledger Start® Setup Guide

You’ll then be prompted to follow the setup process within Ledger Live for adding accounts and configuring preferences.

Step 3 — Set Up Your Crypto Accounts

Accounts represent individual cryptocurrency wallets inside Ledger Live.

  1. In Ledger Live, go to the Accounts section.
  2. Click Add account.
  3. Choose the cryptocurrency you wish to manage (e.g., Bitcoin, Ethereum, etc.).
  4. Open the corresponding app on your Ledger device when requested.
  5. Ledger Live will synchronize and create your account. Ledger Start® Setup Guide

You can add multiple accounts for different coins and tokens — all protected by the same secure hardware device. Ledger

Step 4 — Basic Ledger Live Actions

Once your accounts are added, Ledger Live allows you to manage your assets easily.

📥 Receive Crypto

  1. Go to the account for the asset you want to receive.
  2. Click Receive.
  3. Verify the address on your Ledger device.
  4. Share this address with the sender. Ledger

📤 Send Crypto

  1. Select the account you want to withdraw from.
  2. Click Send.
  3. Enter the recipient’s address and amount.
  4. Confirm the transaction on your hardware device. Ledger

🔄 Swap Crypto

Ledger Live integrates swap services so you can convert one asset to another without leaving the app. Simply choose Swap and follow the guided prompts. Ledger

💰 Buy & Sell

Ledger Live partners with reputable services to let you buy or sell assets directly using bank transfer or card payments. Ledger

Step 5 — Advanced Features

Staking & Earning Rewards

With Ledger Live, you can stake supported proof‑of‑stake cryptocurrencies and earn rewards over time — all while your coins stay under your custody. Supported assets often include Ethereum, Tezos, Cosmos, and more. Ledger

NFT Support

Ledger Live lets you view and manage NFTs (non‑fungible tokens) on supported networks such as Ethereum and Polygon — giving you visibility into your digital collectibles alongside your currencies. welcomes-liv-app.teachable.com

DeFi & Web3 Access

Through Ledger Live’s “Discover” or similar sections, you can connect to decentralized applications (DApps), lending protocols, and yield platforms — bringing DeFi functionality into your secure environment. welcomes-liv-app.teachable.com

Ledger Live Security Best Practices

Security is the heart of Ledger Live. To protect your crypto:

🔒 Private Keys Stay Offline — Your keys never leave the secure hardware wallet. Ledger Live Official
🔑 Transaction Verification — Every transaction must be confirmed physically on your Ledger device. Ledger Live Official
📜 Secure Your Recovery Phrase — Your 24‑word recovery phrase is critical; record it offline and keep it safe.
🚫 Be Cautious of Scams — Never enter your recovery phrase into any app or website — only on your physical Ledger device.

Common Use Case Scenarios

A Beginner Checking Their Balance

After setup, users will see a real‑time overview of asset prices and portfolio value, which helps in tracking overall performance without external tools. Ledger

A Trader Moving Funds

You can quickly swap assets within Ledger Live or send to an exchange for trading — all confirmed securely on your device. Ledger

A Long‑Term Holder Earning Rewards

By staking assets directly in Ledger Live, users can earn passive income while maintaining full custody of their funds. Ledger

Conclusion

Ledger Live is more than a wallet app — it’s a full‑featured secure portal into your digital assets. With support for thousands of coins and tokens, powerful tools like staking and swaps, and seamless integration with Ledger hardware, it offers users both confidence and control in managing their cryptocurrencies. Ledger

The journey starts with a simple download and connection, but leads to a secure and capable crypto management experience that scales with your growing needs. Whether you want to send your first Bitcoin or manage advanced DeFi positions, Ledger Live equips you with the tools to do it safely and effectively.

🔍 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is Ledger Live?

Ledger Live is the official companion app for Ledger hardware wallets that lets you manage your cryptocurrency portfolio, view balances, send/receive funds, buy/sell and interact with DeFi — all with private keys stored offline. Ledger

2. Do I need Ledger Live to use my Ledger device?

Yes — Ledger Live is required to install crypto apps on your Ledger device and to manage accounts and transactions. It also keeps your firmware updated. Ledger Start® Setup Guide

3. Is Ledger Live safe?

Yes — when downloaded from the official Ledger website or verified app stores. Ledger Live does not store private keys or recovery phrases; these remain securely in your hardware device.

4. Can I manage NFTs in Ledger Live?

Yes — Ledger Live supports viewing and managing NFTs on supported blockchains, like Ethereum and Polygon.

5. What should I do if I lose my Ledger device?

If your Ledger device is lost or damaged, you can restore access to your crypto using your 24‑word recovery phrase on a new Ledger device. Keep this phrase safe and private.