Ledger Live Desktop — Getting Started | Official Ledger Wallet

Ledger Live Desktop is the official desktop application from Ledger used to manage your Ledger hardware wallet and securely control your cryptocurrencies, NFTs, staking, and more. It works with Ledger hardware wallets like the Ledger Nano S Plus, Ledger Nano X, and Ledger Stax on Windows, macOS, and Linux, and serves as your central crypto management hub.

1. What Is Ledger Live Desktop?

Ledger Live Desktop is the companion application to your Ledger hardware device. It allows you to:

  • Install cryptocurrency apps on your Ledger device
  • Add and manage coin accounts
  • View balances and transactions
  • Send and receive assets securely
  • Track your portfolio in real time
  • Buy, swap, and stake supported coins
  • View and manage NFTs
  • Update device firmware and apps

Throughout this guide you’ll see sections like Setup, Security, Accounts & Transactions, and Advanced Features — all powered by Ledger Live Desktop.

2. Important Preparations Before You Begin

Before downloading and installing Ledger Live Desktop, follow these preparations:

✔ Buy Official Hardware

Only buy a Ledger wallet from ledger.com or authorized resellers to avoid counterfeit devices. Fake devices can compromise your security out of the box.

✔ Prepare Your Computer

Ensure your operating system is up to date and free from malware. Ledger Live Desktop supports:

  • Windows 10+
  • macOS 10.14+
  • Linux (Ubuntu/variants)

Check system compatibility before installing.

✔ Secure Workspace

Find a private and clean space to write down your 24‑word recovery phrase (seed phrase) without distraction or risk of photos/screenshots accidentally being taken.

3. Downloading the Official Ledger Live Desktop App

Always download Ledger Live Desktop only from the official Ledger website (avoid search engine ads or third‑party sites). The official starting point is:

👉 ledger.com/start — where you can choose your device and download Ledger Live Desktop installers for your operating system.

Security Tip — Verify the Installer

Advanced users can optionally check the cryptographic checksum or digital signature of the downloaded installer to ensure it hasn’t been tampered with.

4. Install and Launch Ledger Live Desktop

📥 Install

  1. Run the downloaded installer file.
  2. Follow the on‑screen installation instructions.
  3. Allow Ledger Live Desktop the necessary permissions (like USB access when prompted).

🚀 Launch

Open Ledger Live Desktop after installation completes. On first launch, it may check for updates — always keep it updated for improved features and security.

5. Initial Setup: Connect Your Ledger Device

After launching Ledger Live Desktop, it will guide you through setup:

👉 Step 1: Connect Your Device

Use the included USB cable to connect your Ledger hardware wallet to your computer. For Ledger Nano X devices, Bluetooth is supported on mobile but USB is preferred for desktop.

👉 Step 2: Set Your Path

In Ledger Live Desktop you’ll see options like:

  • Set up as a new device
  • Restore from recovery phrase
  • Use an already initialized device

Choose the option that matches your situation.

6. Device Initialization & Security

On your Ledger hardware wallet:

🔐 Create a PIN

Choose a secure PIN (4–8 digits) directly on your device. This protects physical access to your wallet.

📝 Generate Recovery Phrase

If you’re setting up a new device, the Ledger will generate a 24‑word recovery phrase on the device itself (never on your computer). Write it down exactly in order. This phrase is your ultimate backup — without it, you cannot recover your crypto if the device is lost or damaged.

⚠ Security Reminder

Ledger Live (desktop or mobile) will never ask you to enter your full recovery phrase. If prompted for it anywhere online or in an app, treat it as a scam.

7. Device Verification and Firmware Updates

Once your device is connected and set up, Ledger Live Desktop may check for:

  • Device authenticity
  • Firefox firmware updates
  • App updates

Follow prompts to keep everything up to date — updates often contain security patches. Always verify update prompts directly on the hardware screen before approving.

8. Install Cryptocurrency Apps on Your Ledger Device

Ledger uses apps for specific blockchains (e.g., Bitcoin, Ethereum). To install:

  1. In Ledger Live Desktop, go to the Manager tab.
  2. Select the app you need (e.g., Bitcoin).
  3. Click Install.

Each app enables your device to interact securely with that blockchain.

9. Add Accounts to Ledger Live Desktop

After installing apps on your Ledger device, add accounts within Ledger Live:

  1. Go to Accounts.
  2. Click Add account.
  3. Select the cryptocurrency.
  4. Ledger Live will sync your device and show balances.

You can add multiple accounts (BTC, ETH, etc.) to view all your holdings in one interface.

10. Sending & Receiving Cryptocurrencies

📥 Receive Crypto

  1. Select an account.
  2. Click Receive.
  3. Connect the device and verify the address on the hardware screen.
  4. Send funds from your exchange or wallet to that address.

Always confirm the receive address on the device — device verification protects against malware altering the address.

📤 Send Crypto

  1. Choose an account.
  2. Click Send.
  3. Enter destination address and amount.
  4. Confirm the details on your Ledger device screen.
  5. Approve the transaction on the device.

Signing occurs on the device itself — so your private keys never leave it.

11. Tracking Portfolio and Managing Assets

Ledger Live Desktop provides a unified portfolio view:

  • Real‑time balances and charts
  • Transaction history
  • Performance over time

This helps you track holdings across multiple crypto assets from one dashboard.

12. Staking & NFTs

Stake Crypto

Ledger Live Desktop supports staking for multiple networks (e.g., ETH, SOL). Staking lets you earn rewards while keeping your assets secure in your hardware wallet.

NFT Management

You can view and manage supported NFTs (Ethereum & Polygon) within Ledger Live — all while keeping keys offline.

13. Advanced Security Recommendations

🛡 Keep Recovery Phrase Offline

Forge a habit of never typing your recovery phrase into a computer or cloud service. Store it physically in a secure, fireproof, and waterproof location.

🔄 Regular Updates

Always update Ledger Live Desktop and device firmware when updates are available — these include security and functionality improvements.

📍 Verify Every Transaction

Before approving, always check the transaction contents on your Ledger device screen — the device is the true source of transaction details.

14. Troubleshooting Common Issues

Here are solutions for some common problems:

🔌 Device Not Detected

  • Check USB cable and port
  • Restart Ledger Live Desktop
  • Try another USB port

📥 Ledger Live Won’t Open

  • Reinstall from the official site
  • Clear app cache if prompted

⚠ Firmware Update Fails

Restart both Ledger Live Desktop and your hardware device, then retry the update.

If these steps don’t help, visit the official Ledger Support Center for guides and help articles.

15. Staying Safe Online

Scammers actively target Ledger users with fake Ledger Live installers, especially on macOS — fake installers may prompt you to enter your recovery seed phrase and steal your funds. Only download from official Ledger downloads and never trust unsolicited emails or software downloads.

Conclusion

Ledger Live Desktop is your official, secure gateway to managing your Ledger hardware wallet. By following this step‑by‑step guide — from downloading the app, setting up your device, installing coin apps, adding accounts, and managing transactions — you maintain full control of your crypto assets while keeping your private keys offline and secure. Always prioritize security best practices, download from official sources, and verify critical details on your Ledger device screen before approving anything.