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Ledger Wallet / Ledger Live

Hardware-wallet companion app for Ledger devices

We reviewed Ledger Wallet / Ledger Live using 4 official and public sources. The notes below focus on custody, recovery, and security trade-offs.

Ledger Live is a hardware companion: its security and recovery meaning depend on a paired Ledger device and its backup, so it belongs in a companion-only bucket.

Ledger Wallet / Ledger Live
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Pairs with hardware

This is a hardware companion app, not a standalone hot wallet. Keys stay on the physical device; the app builds and broadcasts transactions.

Good fit if you need
  • Ledger device owners needing the official management interface
  • users comparing hardware-backed signing with hot-wallet custody

Key specifications

Brand
Ledger
Role
Hardware Companion
Custody
Self Custody
Platforms
WindowsMacosLinuxiOSAndroid
Networks
multi-chain
Pricing
Free

Free to download and use

Backup and keys

Recovery and custody belong to the hardware device and its backup, not the companion UI.

Key setup
Hardware BackedGenerated KeysImported KeysWatch only
Backup options
device recovery phraseoptional Ledger Recover serviceaccount/watch-only metadata export where supported
Security and privacy

Companion-app and hardware-signer split reduces online key exposure but leaves users exposed to phishing, malicious host software, supply-chain/update, device-authenticity, and recovery-backup risks.

Encrypts keys locally
Yes
Privacy note
Companion status is based on hardware dependence, not a claim that the app is offline or metadata-free.
Who runs it

Third-party providers can affect uptime, privacy, and recovery. They are documented here for context, not as ranking points.

  • Ledger hardware devices (Other; KYC: Not Required)
  • Ledger Live and third-party network services (Rpc; KYC: Provider Dependent)
Affiliate
No affiliate relationship recorded

Sources we checked

4 sources reviewed, with 3 documented claims tied to specific fields.

  • Ledger companion wallet definition

    Ledger defines a companion wallet as the host-side counterpart that constructs/broadcasts transactions while the Ledger signer handles secure signing.

  • Ledger Live official product page

    Ledger lists Ledger Live Desktop for Windows, macOS, and Linux and Ledger Live Mobile for iOS and Android.

  • Ledger hardware wallets

    Ledger states that device private keys are generated and stored offline on the physical hardware wallet.

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