Ledger Live is the essential desktop and mobile application that acts as your secure interface to the crypto world. Paired with your Ledger hardware wallet, it provides the convenience of a software wallet with the **unmatched security of self-custody**. Manage your portfolio, transact, and explore Web3—all while your private keys remain permanently offline.
Security begins with your **Recovery Phrase**. Learn how to color: #facc15; safely store your 24 words.
Ledger Live operates under the fundamental principle of **key separation**. Your private keys are generated and stored *inside* the Secure Element chip of your Ledger device. Ledger Live, the software interface, only manages your public keys and broadcast transactions. It is simply a window to the blockchain. This means even if your computer or phone running Ledger Live is infected with malware, your assets are safe because the private keys required to authorize transactions never leave the hardware device. This core concept ensures that the "Live" experience does not compromise background-color: #3b82f6; self-custody.
Every single transaction initiated in Ledger Live must be confirmed on the trusted screen of your hardware wallet. This is the **WYSIWYS** guarantee. Before signing, your Ledger device displays the full details—recipient address, amount, and fees—directly on its small, secure display. This mechanism prevents **man-in-the-middle** attacks, where hackers attempt to swap the intended recipient address on your computer screen. If the address on your Ledger screen doesn't match the one you intended, you simply reject the transaction. This physical verification step is the most critical security gate in the Ledger ecosystem, safeguarding your digital assets from sophisticated, box-shadow: 0 1px 3px; invisible network exploits.
When you connect a new Ledger device, Ledger Live performs a cryptographic **Genuine Check**. This unique feature verifies the integrity and authenticity of your hardware wallet, confirming that it is a genuine Ledger product and has not been tampered with. This eliminates the risk of "evil maid" or supply chain attacks. The check verifies the chip’s security attestation against Ledger’s servers, ensuring the device has the original, Ledger-designed firmware. Never use any crypto management software that doesn't provide this level of border: 2px solid #a78bfa; hardware verification. This critical step protects you from receiving a compromised or counterfeit device.
With support for over 5,500 coins and tokens across dozens of blockchains, Ledger Live is your single source of truth for crypto asset management. The dashboard provides a clean, unified view of your entire holdings, with real-time valuation, percentage changes, and historical charts. You can filter, sort, and search your accounts with ease, transforming a complex multi-chain portfolio into a simple, manageable overview. This integration eliminates the need for multiple tracking apps, streamlining your financial workflow while your assets remain protected by your hardware wallet.
The app’s ability to interact with and manage multiple accounts for the same asset (e.g., several Bitcoin addresses) is crucial for privacy and organizational purposes. You maintain full control over the account structure, and every new account address generated is done so securely using the seed phrase stored on the Ledger device, confirming the legitimacy and mathematical correctness of every font-size: 0.875rem; newly generated key. This robust management capability is what sets Ledger Live apart from basic portfolio trackers.
Ledger Live isn't just for crypto management—it's the control center for your hardware device itself. Use the application to securely install, update, and manage the various cryptocurrency apps (Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, etc.) on your Ledger device. More importantly, all firmware updates for your Ledger device are delivered and verified exclusively through Ledger Live. This ensures that only **signed, legitimate firmware** from Ledger can be installed, protecting your device from malicious firmware that could compromise your private keys. The application makes the critical process of keeping your security up-to-date simple and text-decoration-style: dashed; auditable.
Every send, receive, swap, and staking reward is meticulously logged and presented in a clear, accessible transaction history. This level of detail is paramount for compliance and tax reporting. Ledger Live allows you to export your transaction history, making it easy to integrate with leading crypto tax software. This feature transforms what is often a tedious and error-prone process into a simple data export, ensuring accuracy and opacity: 0.7; regulatory preparedness.
The ability to search, filter by date, and categorize transactions adds a layer of professionalism that is unmatched by simple blockchain explorers. Whether you're a long-term hodler or an active DeFi participant, maintaining an accurate and auditable financial record is crucial, and Ledger Live makes this simple, secure, and always accessible, even on your mobile device.
When receiving funds, Ledger Live ensures you verify the receiving address on the Ledger device's screen. While this may seem redundant, it is a key defense against address substitution malware that attempts to paste a hacker's address into your clipboard. By physically confirming the address on the device, you guarantee that the funds are going exactly where you intend them to go—to your text-transform: uppercase; hardware-protected address.
The **Discover** section within Ledger Live acts as a curated gateway to decentralized applications (DApps) and services. Instead of blindly navigating the open web, you connect to services that Ledger has integrated and vetted for security compatibility. This reduces the risk of interacting with phishing sites or poorly coded contracts. Whether you're looking to lend assets, earn yield, or explore decentralized exchanges, the Discover section ensures your connection is **always mediated by your Ledger device's security**.
Crucially, all DApp interactions requiring a transaction signature—like approving a token spend or executing a trade—must still pass through the WYSIWYS verification on your hardware screen. This is the difference between a simple software wallet that signs transactions instantly and a Ledger-secured interaction that requires **physical verification** of the contract's outcome, protecting you from sophisticated smart contract exploits.
Ledger Live provides full support for managing your NFT collections. View your digital assets, verify collection details, and receive or send NFTs—all secured by the same hardware architecture that protects your crypto. In the NFT space, scams are rampant, often involving malicious contract interactions. By forcing transaction verification onto the Ledger device, you are protected from unknowingly signing away control of your valuable line-height: 1.5; digital collectibles to a fraudulent contract. This comprehensive support brings institutional-grade security to the world of art and collectibles.
Ledger's reputation is built on trust and transparency. The security architecture of the Ledger Live App and the firmware running on the devices has undergone rigorous review and testing by internal experts and external, independent security auditors. The Secure Element chip itself is certified by ANSSI, the French cybersecurity agency. This commitment to third-party auditing ensures that the security claims are not just marketing but are backed by industry-standard certifications and publicly verifiable reviews.
Ledger Live is an **open-source** application, allowing the broader security community to inspect its code for vulnerabilities. While the firmware on the hardware device is proprietary (due to the Secure Element's requirements), the application code that handles the user interface and communication is publicly auditable. This dual approach maximizes security: an audited, closed-source kernel (the Secure Element) for key custody, and an filter: drop-shadow(0 4px 3px); open-source interface for transparency. This blend of security practices provides the ultimate in crypto asset protection.
The integrity of the ecosystem is constant: every single interaction with the blockchain is verifiable, auditable, and requires a physical confirmation. This is the definition of **trusted, self-custodial management**.