Ledger Live is the desktop and mobile companion app that works with Ledger hardware wallets. Use it to initialize devices, install and manage blockchain apps, add accounts, sign transactions securely, and monitor portfolio performance — while keeping your private keys inside your hardware device. This page is a focused page-landing to guide new users through downloading the app, installing any required helper (pluing), and performing a secure first transaction.
Ledger.com/start directly). Never share your recovery phrase — Ledger Live will never ask for it.
Ledger Live installers are available for Windows, macOS and several Linux distributions, plus mobile apps on the App Store and Google Play. Always fetch installers from the official source. Downloading from other places increases the risk of tampered installers.
Type Ledger.com/start directly in your browser or use a bookmark you control. Avoid following unsolicited links.
Select Desktop (Windows, macOS, Linux) or Mobile (iOS, Android).
Store the downloaded file in a known location and, if you are an advanced user, verify checksums/signatures where offered.
Pluing refers to a small local helper or connector component that some environments require to enable reliable USB or browser-based communications (WebUSB / WebHID) between Ledger Live and your Ledger device. The connector acts as a controlled local relay; it does not hold private keys, transmit seed words, or contact remote servers with secret material. You only need it on particular OS/browser combinations where native device discovery is limited.
Modern operating systems and browsers implement strict sandboxing and permission models. The connector helps overcome permission constraints, provide consistent device detection, and support firmware updates and Manager operations that require stable USB communication.
Ledger.com/start or the official downloads page.If Ledger Live cannot detect your device: try the original cable and a direct USB port, avoid hubs, restart Ledger Live, and confirm the connector process is running (system tray / Activity Monitor). On Linux, ensure udev rules are installed and reloaded:
sudo udevadm control --reload-rules && sudo udevadm trigger
After downloading Ledger Live and optionally installing the connector, perform the guided onboarding in Ledger Live to initialize your device or restore an existing wallet. Follow the device prompts; the device displays the recovery phrase and requires PIN creation directly on the hardware.
Follow OS instructions to install Ledger Live.
Start the app and choose 'Get started' to create or restore a wallet.
Set a PIN on the device and write down the recovery phrase exactly as shown. Do not store it digitally.
Use Manager to install coin apps and add accounts for each currency you want to manage.
Send a small transaction to verify the address and signing workflow before moving larger sums.
Ledger Live and Ledger devices provide strong security primitives — but user behavior is the final line of defense. The single most important secret you own is your recovery phrase. Treat it like the key to a bank vault: keep it offline, keep it safe, and never share it.
Ledger Live supports optional passphrases (BIP39), multiple accounts and developer integrations. Passphrases let you create hidden wallets but increase risk — losing the passphrase means losing the funds. Developers should use official SDKs and transports (WebHID, WebUSB, Bluetooth) and must never request seeds or private keys.
# Linux: reload udev rules after installing connector sudo udevadm control --reload-rules && sudo udevadm trigger
Ledger.com/start.