ok | Getting started with Ledger Live — Ledger Sync keeps your accounts synchronized across desktop and mobile sessions.
Getting started with Ledger Live Desktop
Ledger Live Desktop lets you manage cryptocurrencies and NFTs while keeping private keys on your Ledger hardware wallet. Ledger Sync is an optional feature that synchronizes account metadata and state between desktop and mobile instances of Ledger Live. This guide explains how Ledger Sync works conceptually, how to enable it safely, how pairing and encrypted synchronization occur, and how to manage your accounts across devices without exposing your private keys.
This guide is self-contained and intentionally contains no external links to preserve privacy and security. Follow the steps below to ensure a secure setup.
Secure synchronization
Ledger Sync synchronizes account labels, starred accounts, and UI settings without exposing private keys.
Device pairing
Pair devices locally and confirm codes on your hardware wallet to prevent unauthorized access.
Account management
Add, hide, or rename accounts and have those changes appear across your devices.
Offline signing
Private keys always remain on the hardware device — transactions are signed offline and only signed payloads leave the device.
Cross-platform
Ledger Live Desktop mirrors features available on mobile for a consistent experience across platforms.
Privacy-first
Only non-sensitive metadata is synchronized; critical secrets never leave the device or your secure backups.
Enable Ledger Sync — Step-by-step
Open Ledger Live Desktop.
Ensure Ledger Live is installed on your desktop environment and up to date.
Go to Settings > Ledger Sync.
Locate the Ledger Sync section to manage synchronization preferences.
Initiate pairing.
Choose to pair a mobile device or another desktop instance. A pairing code or QR will be generated locally.
Confirm pairing on the Ledger hardware device.
Verify the pairing code on your Ledger device screen to ensure it matches the app's display.
Complete synchronization.
After pairing, the encrypted metadata will be synced. Verify that account labels and settings appear on the paired device.
Sync settings you can control
Enable or disable Ledger Sync entirely.
Choose which account metadata to sync (labels, favorites, UI preferences).
Revoke paired devices from the Sync settings panel.
Security checklist before enabling sync
Confirm the device firmware is authentic and up to date.
Make sure your recovery phrase is backed up offline.
Pair devices only in private and trusted networks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Ledger Sync store my private keys?
No. Ledger Sync stores only encrypted metadata and UI preferences. Private keys remain on your Ledger hardware device at all times.
What happens if I uninstall Ledger Live?
Uninstalling the app removes local data. You can reinstall and pair again with your Ledger device and sync settings as needed.
Can other people access my synced data?
Only devices paired with your account and possession of the necessary decryption keys can access the synced metadata. Revoke unknown devices immediately via the Sync settings.
Is syncing automatic?
Once enabled and paired, Ledger Sync will propagate metadata changes automatically between paired devices subject to network availability and app permissions.
Deep dive — How encryption works (high level)
At a high level, Ledger Sync performs the following cryptographic steps:
Local key derivation: the app derives an encryption key from device secrets and a local passcode.
Encryption: account metadata is encrypted locally using the derived key.
Transmission: encrypted data is uploaded to the encrypted store associated with your account (metadata only).
Decryption: a paired device with the correct key can decrypt the metadata locally after confirming the pairing.
This design ensures that even if the encrypted store were accessed by an attacker, the data would remain confidential without the decryption keys held by your devices.
Troubleshooting Ledger Sync
If you encounter synchronization issues, try the steps below in order.
Ensure both devices are online and running the latest version of Ledger Live.
Check that the Ledger device is unlocked and connected when pairing.
Revoke and re-establish the pairing if a device shows stale metadata.
Restart Ledger Live and reboot your device if synchronization fails repeatedly.
If issues persist, use the local export/import options for account metadata as a temporary measure.
Comprehensive checklist — Before you sync
Backup your recovery phrase on durable physical media; never store it digitally.
Confirm firmware authenticity and apply official updates when prompted on-device.
Verify that you recognize all devices paired to your account.
Use strong, unique credentials for any account-level access related to sync features.
Consider enabling additional lock methods on your desktop (OS-level encryption, full-disk encryption).
Advanced topics
Passphrase-protected wallets
Using a passphrase creates additional hidden accounts. Syncing behavior for passphrase-derived accounts depends on whether the passphrase is provided to paired devices. Never share passphrases or store them in unsecured locations.
Air-gapped workflows
If you maintain an air-gapped signing workflow, Ledger Sync can still be useful for adding account labels and UI preferences to online machines while keeping the signing device offline.
Third-party integrations
Some users connect Ledger Live with other services. Be mindful of the privacy tradeoffs and limit integrations that require exposing metadata you prefer to keep private.
Local exports and imports
Ledger Live supports local export and import of account metadata as a fallback when sync is unavailable. These exports are encrypted when possible — treat them like sensitive material.
Practical scenarios
Below are common scenarios where Ledger Sync improves workflow and how to handle them safely.
Scenario 1 — Desktop and mobile parity
When you add labels or favorites on desktop, they appear on mobile after sync. Verify key UI changes locally and test with a small metadata update before applying broad changes.
Scenario 2 — Device replacement
If you replace a device, pair the new device and then decrypt your synced metadata on a trusted device. Always verify decrypted metadata accuracy against known values.
Scenario 3 — Multiple users (family/teams)
Ledger Sync is intended for a single user's devices. For multi-user team setups, consider separate accounts and avoid sharing recovery materials. Plan inheritance and access delegation carefully.
Appendix: Glossary
Ledger Sync
An encrypted metadata synchronization service for Ledger Live.
Hardware wallet
A physical device that stores private keys and performs secure signing operations.
Passphrase
An optional secret word(s) that extends wallet security and creates hidden wallets.
Air-gapped
A system that is physically isolated from network connections to reduce attack surface.
Encrypted metadata
Non-sensitive account data encrypted so only authorized devices can read it.
Derivation path
The hierarchical deterministic (HD) path used to derive keys and addresses from a seed.
Checklist — Incident response
If you suspect unauthorized sync access, immediately revoke paired devices and reset sync keys.
Rotate any local passwords tied to account-level access.
Restore critical wallets from verified recovery phrases onto a new device if compromise is suspected.
Long-form guide — Expanded steps (for SEO depth)
The following expanded steps provide deeper context and extra tips for each stage of the setup and sync process.
Preparing your devices
Update Ledger Live on desktop and mobile to the latest releases. Confirm device firmware updates and check that devices boot to the main screen without warnings. Use trusted cables and avoid public charging stations. Have your recovery phrase sheet available (but offline) in case verification is needed.
Pairing with mobile
Open Ledger Live on desktop, start pairing flow, and open Ledger Live mobile to scan the pairing QR. Confirm the pairing code on the Ledger device. Only accept pairings when codes match and you initiated the pairing.
Managing synced labels
When you rename an account or add a tag, those changes are encrypted and propagated. Use clear, consistent naming conventions to avoid confusion across devices.
Revoke access safely
From the Sync settings panel, revoke any device you do not recognize. After revocation, pairing must be re-established with physical access to a valid Ledger device.
Developer notes (non-technical summary)
For integrators and advanced users: Ledger Sync emphasizes cryptographic separation between secrets and metadata. If integrating with other services, design flows that never send private keys outside the hardware device and present clear UI prompts to users when metadata sharing is requested.
Privacy statement
This guide is a self-contained resource focused on preserving user privacy: it avoids external links and supplier references. The synchronization discussed encrypts metadata so only paired devices can read it. Users should still exercise caution and assume that any metadata synced could reveal usage patterns; minimize sensitive labels where appropriate.
Frequently requested UI tips
Use a separate profile for high-value accounts to reduce accidental exposure.
Enable OS-level encryption on desktop to protect local Ledger Live caches.
Use consistent naming (e.g., "BTC - Savings") across devices for easier identification.
Change log & versioning
Documenting your local Ledger Live version and device firmware can help when diagnosing sync issues. Keep a short log of version changes and date them for reference.
Ledger Live Desktop v1.0 — initial local install and default settings.
Ledger Live Desktop v1.1 — added optional Ledger Sync support and improved pairing UX.
Ledger Live Desktop v1.2 — performance optimizations and expanded chain support.
Printable quick-reference
Below is a condensed checklist you can print and keep near your setup area (do not include recovery phrases on printed checklists).
Verify device authenticity and firmware on-device.
Backup recovery phrase on physical media (do not store digitally).
Install Ledger Live Desktop and enable OS-level security.
Pair devices using secure local pairing and confirm codes on-device.
Revoke unknown devices and regularly review paired devices.