Ledger Live Desktop and Mobile: Setup, Features and Safe Use
Ledger Live is the app you use with a Ledger hardware wallet to manage crypto day to day. It comes in two forms, one for computers and one for phones, and the first practical question most people have is which to install. This guide starts there, then walks through setup, everyday tasks and the habits that keep your funds safe.
Notice of Official Nomenclature
You may notice the app has a different name on Ledger’s site. Since October 2025 it has been called Ledger Wallet (formerly Ledger Live). The functions described here apply to it.
Which Version Should You Install?
Ledger Live exists as a desktop app and a mobile app. Both work with the same device and the same accounts, so you can use one or both. The table summarises the differences.
| Question | Desktop | Mobile |
|---|---|---|
| Where does it run? | Windows, macOS, Linux | iOS (App Store) and Android (Google Play, package com.ledger.live) |
| How does the device connect? | USB cable; Bluetooth not needed | Bluetooth with Nano X, Nano Gen5, Flex and Stax; USB-OTG on Android with Nano S Plus |
| Which devices work? | All current models | Bluetooth models on iOS and Android; Nano S Plus on Android only |
| What is it best at? | First-time setup, firmware updates, managing many accounts | Checking balances, receiving, quick transactions on the move |
| Are features the same? | Full core set: portfolio, send/receive, buy/sell/swap via partners, staking, Discover, My Ledger | Same core set; specific options and providers can vary by platform and region |
| Security notes | Keys stay on the device; install only from ledger.com and check the signed publisher |
Keys stay on the device; install only from the official listing and check the publisher |
Our practical take
If you are setting up a device for the first time, use the desktop app. A wired USB connection is straightforward and supported by every model, and a bigger screen makes setup easier to follow. Once you are up and running, install the mobile app if you want to check balances or send funds away from your desk.
Compatibility Trap: Nano S Plus & iOS
There is one compatibility trap: the Nano S Plus has no Bluetooth. It can connect to a phone only through an OTG cable on Android, so iPhone users with a Nano S Plus should stick with desktop.
No Web App or Extension Exists
There is no third option. Ledger Live has no web version and no browser extension. Any website or browser store item claiming to offer online access is fraudulent.
Using both versions side by side
Because your keys live on the device rather than in the app, nothing stops you from running Ledger Live on a laptop and a phone at the same time. A common pattern looks like this:
- At home: connect the device to the desktop app by USB to install coin apps, apply firmware updates and review your full history.
- Away from home: open the mobile app to check a balance, generate a receive address or send a small payment, approving it on the device over Bluetooth.
The device behaves the same way in both cases. It shows each transaction on its own screen and waits for your approval. Choosing a version is about comfort and context, not about different levels of security.
Getting Started: A Numbered Setup Walkthrough
Follow this 12-step sequence when preparing and configuring your hardware wallet companion:
Direct Domain Entry
Open your browser and type ledger.com. Do not use a search ad or an emailed link. Confirm the domain before downloading; ledger.io and similar look-alikes are not Ledger.
Download the Genuine Installer
Download the installer. Choose Windows, macOS or Linux, or install from the App Store or Google Play on your phone. It costs nothing.
Platform-Specific Installation
Install the software according to your operating system standards:
- Windows: run the .exe; the system shows Ledger as the signed publisher.
- macOS: open the .dmg and drag Ledger Live into Applications.
- Linux: mark the AppImage as executable; add udev rules if the USB connection is not recognised.
Launch & Initialization
Launch the app and select “Get started”.
Select Device Model
Pick your device model from the on-screen list.
Choose Configuration Path
Choose a path: set up as new, restore from a recovery phrase, or connect a device that is already set up.
Define Device Security PIN
On the device, choose a PIN.
Physical Paper Phrase Backup
Record the 24-word recovery phrase on paper, exactly as the device shows it, then confirm it on the device. Do not photograph or type it anywhere.
Cryptographic Genuine Check
Run the Genuine check in the app to confirm the device is authentic.
Install Network Coin Apps
Go to My Ledger and install coin apps for each network you need.
Add Accounts to Portfolio
Add accounts so balances appear in your portfolio.
Verify with a Small Test Receive
Test with a small receive, matching the address on the device screen to the one in the app.
Everyday Tasks in Ledger Live
Once setup is done, most of your time in the app comes down to a handful of tasks.
Checking your portfolio
The portfolio screen gathers every account in one place, with balances and transaction history. Ledger Live tracks more than 15,000 coins and tokens, so most common assets show up without extra effort.
Receiving crypto
Choose Receive, select the account, and Ledger Live displays an address. The important part: confirm that same address on your device screen before sharing it. This protects you if something on your computer or phone tries to swap the address.
Sending crypto
Sending is where the hardware matters most. The app prepares the transaction, but the device must approve it:
- Enter the recipient and amount in Ledger Live.
- The app sends the unsigned transaction to the device.
- The device shows the details, in readable form thanks to Clear Signing.
- You confirm on the device after checking every detail.
- The device signs inside its Secure Element.
- Ledger Live broadcasts the signed transaction.
If the device shows anything you did not expect, reject it.
Buying, selling and swapping
These options are delivered by third-party providers inside the app. Each provider sets its own fees and may require identity verification (KYC). Review the quote and terms before you continue.
Staking
For some assets, such as ETH and SOL, Ledger Live offers staking. Rewards depend on the network and are not guaranteed.
Using dApps through Discover
The Discover section lets you access decentralized apps inside Ledger Live. Transactions still go to your device for approval, and Clear Signing plus Transaction Check help you understand what a dApp is asking you to sign.
Keeping your device up to date
My Ledger is where you install or remove coin apps and apply firmware updates. Only accept updates offered inside the genuine app, never from a pop-up on a website.
Optional backup service
Ledger Recover is a paid, opt-in subscription that backs up your recovery phrase. You can ignore it entirely and still use every other feature.
Under the Hood: Why the Device Has the Final Say
All of these tasks rely on one design choice. Your private keys are created and kept inside the Secure Element chip of your Ledger device. Ledger Live never holds them. The app reads data and builds transactions, but signing can only happen on the device, and only after you approve on its screen.
Your device is protected by a PIN and, if you choose, an extra passphrase. The 24-word recovery phrase is the backup of everything. As long as it stays offline and private, a lost or broken device does not mean lost crypto: you can restore on a new Ledger device.
Good Habits for Daily Use
A few routines make Ledger Live safer without making it slower:
- Bookmark ledger.com after you have typed and checked it once, and use that bookmark whenever you need Ledger information.
- Read the device screen, not just the app. The address and amount on the device are what will be signed.
- Keep your recovery sheet offline and private, somewhere you would notice if it disappeared.
- Treat urgency as a warning sign. Genuine maintenance never needs you to act within minutes or share secrets.
- Review provider terms before buying, selling or swapping, since fees and checks come from the provider, not from Ledger Live.
Red Flags to Watch For
Most problems Ledger users face come from scams rather than technical failures. Be suspicious of:
- Look-alike apps and sites pushed through search ads, fake extensions or store listings with a similar name.
- Messages claiming to be from Ledger, including paper letters, asking you to verify your wallet. Many followed Ledger’s 2020 customer data leak.
- Helpful strangers on Telegram or Discord offering “official support”.
- Update prompts outside the app that ask for your recovery phrase.
The Absolute Custody Rule
The rule is simple and absolute: never enter your recovery phrase into a website, app form, chat or support request. Ledger will never ask you for it.
Preparing to Install Your Companion Application?
Our dedicated platform installation guide walks through cryptographic signatures, udev rules for Linux, and verified publisher checks on Windows and macOS.
Safe Ledger Live Download Guide Independent editorial guide · Points exclusively to official ledger.com binariesFrequently Asked Questions
Do I have to install firmware updates?
Updates are delivered through My Ledger in the official app. Install them only from there, and never through a website pop-up or a link someone sends you.
What is My Ledger?
It is the section of Ledger Live where you manage your device: installing and removing coin apps and updating firmware.
Can I use dApps with Ledger Live?
Yes, through the Discover section. Your device still signs each transaction, and Clear Signing helps you read what you are approving.
What if my computer is infected with malware?
Your keys stay in the device, and malware cannot approve transactions for you. The risk is being tricked into approving something, so always check details on the device screen before confirming.
I received a letter from “Ledger” asking for my recovery phrase. What should I do?
Ignore it. It is a scam. Ledger never asks for your 24 words by letter, email, phone or chat.
Are there fees when I buy crypto in Ledger Live?
The app itself is free, but buying, selling and swapping are handled by third-party providers that charge their own fees. You also pay network fees when sending.
Is there a Ledger Live browser extension?
No. The app is distributed as a desktop program and a mobile app only. Treat any “Ledger Live extension” as a fake.