Ledger.com/Start® — Getting Started with Ledger Live™

Whether you have just unboxed your first Ledger wallet or are moving your assets off an exchange for the first time, the official starting point is Ledger.com/Start. From there you can download Ledger Live — the free companion application for your Ledger hardware wallet — and begin managing your crypto with true self-custody. This guide explains what Ledger Live is, how to install the Ledger Live desktop app, how to complete your Ledger wallet setup, and how to stay safe while doing it.

What is a Ledger hardware wallet?

A Ledger hardware wallet is a physical device that stores the private keys to your cryptocurrency offline. Ledger offers several models, including the Nano S Plus, Nano X, Stax, and Flex, each built around a certified secure element — the same type of chip used in bank cards and passports. Because your keys never leave the device, they are not exposed to the internet, and a hacker, keylogger, or malicious website cannot simply read them from your computer or phone. Every transaction you sign must be physically approved by pressing the buttons on the device itself.

That is the core idea behind self-custody: you, and only you, control your funds — not an exchange, not a website, and not a third-party custodian. Compared with a software wallet that keeps keys on a connected computer, or an exchange that holds funds on your behalf, a hardware wallet keeps the sensitive part physically isolated, so even a compromised machine cannot silently sign away your balance. The wallet is your keychain, and Ledger Live is the dashboard that lets you use it.

What is Ledger Live?

Ledger Live is the official desktop and mobile application made by Ledger. It is available for Windows, macOS, and Linux on desktop, and for iOS and Android on mobile. Think of it as the control center for your Ledger wallet: it shows your portfolio balance, lets you send and receive crypto, buy and sell through integrated partners, swap assets, stake supported coins to earn rewards, and manage the apps installed on your device. You can also view NFTs and review your transaction history in one place. Ledger Live supports a wide range of coins and tokens — Bitcoin, Ethereum, and thousands of others — and walks you step by step through installing each asset's app on your device.

One point worth clearing up early: Ledger Live does not use a traditional email-and-password login. To use it, you connect your Ledger device to your computer with a USB cable (or over Bluetooth on supported models) and unlock it with the PIN you chose during setup. The phrase "Ledger Live Login" usually refers to that unlock step rather than a conventional account sign-in.

How to download Ledger Live desktop

The safest way to get Ledger Live is to download it only from the official Ledger website. Start at Ledger.com/Start, choose the desktop version, and pick the installer for your operating system. On Windows you will get a standard installer, on macOS a DMG, and on Linux a package for your distribution.

Go to ledger.com/start in your browser.
Select "Download Ledger Live" and choose your operating system.
Open the downloaded file and complete the installation.
Launch Ledger Live and keep it updated — updates include security fixes.

A few cautions: never download Ledger Live from a link sent by email, direct message, or a search ad, and never use a site that asks you to enter your 24-word recovery phrase in order to "log in." Such pages are phishing attempts. The genuine app is free, and no legitimate process will ever ask you to type your recovery phrase into a computer.

Setting up your Ledger wallet

When you power on a new Ledger device for the first time, it will guide you through initialization. The two most important steps are setting a PIN and writing down your recovery phrase.

Choose a PIN (between 4 and 8 digits). This unlocks the device itself.
Write down the 24-word recovery phrase the device displays, in order, on the blank recovery sheet included in the box.
Confirm the phrase back on the device to prove you recorded it correctly.

Your recovery phrase is the master backup of your wallet. Anyone who has those 24 words can restore your funds on any compatible wallet, so keep it offline and secret. Do not photograph it, store it in a password manager, email it to yourself, or type it into any app or website. After setup, use the Manager section of Ledger Live to install the coin apps you need (for example, Bitcoin or Ethereum), then add an account for each asset you plan to hold.

Adding accounts and managing your portfolio

Once your device is set up, open the "Add account" flow in Ledger Live, pick an asset, and confirm the action on your hardware wallet. Ledger Live will then display a receiving address and start showing your balance and transaction history. To receive funds, share your verified address; to send, enter the destination, review the amount and fee, and confirm everything on the device screen before approving. You can add several accounts for different assets, rename them to keep things organized, and check their combined value from the portfolio tab. If an asset ever stops syncing, a quick firmware or app update in the Manager section usually resolves it.

Ledger Live also brings third-party services into one dashboard. Depending on your region, you can buy crypto through integrated partners, swap between assets, and stake supported coins. Crucially, even when a third party provides the liquidity, the private keys remain on your device and the final signature still requires your physical confirmation.

Ledger Live vs. the Ledger Wallet Extension

People sometimes confuse Ledger Live with the Ledger browser extension. They are different products with different jobs. Ledger Live is your portfolio manager — the place to check balances, send, receive, buy, swap, and stake. The Ledger Wallet Extension is a browser add-on that connects your Ledger device to decentralized applications, such as DeFi platforms and NFT marketplaces, so you can interact with web3 without exposing your keys to a website. Both rely on the same hardware wallet for signing, and both should be obtained only from official Ledger sources.

Security best practices

Download the app only from ledger.com.
Never share your 24-word recovery phrase — no support agent or website legitimately needs it.
Verify every address on the device screen, not just the one shown on your computer.
Keep Ledger Live and your device firmware up to date.
Store your recovery sheet somewhere safe from fire, water, and theft.
Be wary of phishing emails, fake support accounts, and search ads.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a "Ledger Live Login" to use the app?

No. Ledger Live is unlocked with your device and its PIN, not with a username and password. You connect your Ledger wallet and approve actions physically on the device. Ledger may offer optional account-based services, but the core app works locally and privately, and nothing sensitive ever needs to be typed into a website.

Where can I safely download the Ledger Live app?

Only from the official Ledger website at ledger.com/start. Avoid third-party download portals, links sent by message, and any site that asks for your recovery phrase. The desktop version supports Windows, macOS, and Linux, and mobile versions are available in the official app stores.

Is Ledger Live free?

Yes. Ledger Live is free to download and use. Network fees and any fees charged by integrated buy, swap, or staking partners are separate and will be shown before you confirm a transaction.

What happens if I lose my 24-word recovery phrase?

Your recovery phrase is the only backup of your wallet. If you lose it while your device still works and is unlocked, move your funds to a new wallet as soon as possible. If both the phrase and the device are lost, your funds generally cannot be recovered — so store the phrase carefully from day one.

Can I use Ledger Live on more than one computer?

Yes. Install Ledger Live on any computer, then connect your Ledger device. If you ever get a new or replacement device, choose the restore option during setup and enter your 24-word phrase on the device itself to recover your accounts.

What is the difference between Ledger Live and the Ledger browser extension?

Ledger Live is a portfolio manager for balances, sending, receiving, buying, swapping, and staking. The Ledger browser extension connects your device to decentralized apps in your browser. Both use the same hardware wallet to sign transactions.

This page is an independent getting-started guide and is not affiliated with Ledger. Always verify you are on the official Ledger website before downloading software or entering any information.