A practical, security-first walkthrough for accessing Ledger Live (desktop & mobile), protecting your seed, and using Ledger’s features to manage, buy and swap cryptocurrencies.
Ledger Live is Ledger’s official application for securely managing hardware wallet accounts, viewing balances, sending & receiving crypto, and accessing built-in services such as Buy, Swap and Staking. The app links to your Ledger hardware device (Ledger Nano S Plus, Ledger Nano X, etc.) so private keys never leave the device.
1. Visit the official Ledger website and navigate to the Ledger Live download page. Choose the version matching your operating system—Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS or Android.
2. Verify the download signature when available (advanced users) and run the installer. On mobile, install from Apple App Store or Google Play.
3. Launch Ledger Live and follow the on‑screen setup: choose whether you are setting up a new Ledger device or adding an existing device with an existing recovery phrase.
Launch the Ledger Live application on your computer.
Use the official USB cable to connect your Ledger device. Unlock it by entering your PIN.
In Ledger Live, go to Manager to install or update app integrations (e.g., Bitcoin, Ethereum). Then open Accounts to add the blockchain accounts you want to manage.
Every transaction or account addition requires physical confirmation on your Ledger device — this keeps private keys secure.
1. Install Ledger Live from the App Store or Google Play.
2. Open the app and choose to pair with an existing Ledger device or set up a new one.
3. Pair via Bluetooth (Ledger Nano X) or USB-C (supported devices). Confirm pairing on your device and complete the guided steps in-app.
View account balances, transaction history, and portfolio performance across all supported blockchains.
Buy crypto using integrated providers inside Ledger Live. Amounts and fees vary by region and provider — Ledger aggregates services for a smoother experience.
Swap tokens directly inside Ledger Live using integrated swap providers. Swaps require on-device confirmation and may incur network and service fees.
Install, update or remove blockchain apps on your Ledger device. Keeping firmware and apps updated is important for security and compatibility.
If you forget your PIN, the device becomes inaccessible. You must reset the device and restore from your recovery phrase. Never share your recovery phrase with anyone during this process.
Advanced users can enable developer logs to diagnose connectivity issues. Use logs carefully and never share sensitive info like your recovery phrase.
Ledger Live supports multiple accounts per currency. Use labels for accounts and export transaction histories for tax reporting or accounting.