Studio-style overview & user guide
Ledger Live (now often referenced as Ledger Wallet on official channels) is the cross-platform desktop application designed to be the secure, user-facing companion to Ledger hardware devices. Built around the principle that private keys must never leave the secure element on your hardware wallet, Ledger Live provides an approachable user experience that connects to the device, reads on-device confirmations, and surfaces clear micro-interactions to avoid costly mistakes.
At installation you are offered a simple onboarding flow: download the official installer from ledger.com, connect your Ledger device, and follow the prompts to add accounts and install the apps for each blockchain you'd like to use. Ledger Live's device manager helps install or update signed firmware — these updates are cryptographically verified so your Ledger device only accepts authentic firmware. Always confirm update prompts on the hardware device display before proceeding.
Portfolio and accounts are displayed in a consolidated dashboard. Balances are derived from public on-chain data and local account state; Ledger Live is not custodying your keys. You can buy, swap, and stake supported assets through integrated partners, but every on-chain operation requires transaction confirmation on the physical device — a critical safety barrier against remote compromise.
Security best practices: (1) Only download Ledger Live from ledger.com and verify signatures if available; (2) never enter your recovery phrase into any software or website — Ledger devices never ask for it; (3) confirm every transaction and update on the device screen before approving; (4) use a dedicated computer and keep OS and anti-malware tools up to date. If a UI or app ever asks for a seed phrase, treat it as a scam and disconnect immediately.
For teams and creators, Ledger Live supports multi-account workflows and can be combined with enterprise tooling. For everyday users, the app’s clear status indicators and device-confirmation flow are intentionally designed to make safe behavior the easy behavior. Ledger publishes official visual and marketing assets in their press/brand kit — use only those official graphics to avoid impersonation risk.
In short, Ledger Live is the trusted bridge between your hardware wallet and on-chain activity — engineered around device-side security, transparent signing, and a studio-quality interface that keeps complexity away from the user while retaining full control of keys.