Ledger® Live: Desktop® — Getting Started

Introduction

Ledger Live Desktop is the official desktop application for managing cryptocurrencies with Ledger hardware wallets. It provides a secure, polished interface for creating accounts, viewing balances, installing coin apps on your Ledger device, staking supported assets, swapping tokens, and signing transactions.

Ledger Live is a companion — the root of trust is the Ledger device itself. Private keys remain on-device in a secure element; Ledger Live builds transactions and relays them to the device for on-screen verification and signing. This separation of duties lets you interact with online services while keeping signing authority offline on the device.

Why use Ledger Live Desktop?

Desktop environments often offer stability and a rich interface for power users. Ledger Live Desktop brings several advantages:

Full feature set: Desktop releases usually present the widest feature set, including app management and advanced account controls.
Performance: Desktop apps can handle large portfolios and historical data more fluidly.
Integration: Desktop workflows support hardware device firmware updates and local node connectivity in many setups.

Before you begin

Prepare a secure environment before setup. This reduces mistakes when recording your recovery phrase and reduces exposure to malware.

Use a personal, trusted computer — avoid public or shared machines.
Have a pen and recovery card or a metal backup kit ready to record your seed.
Ensure your operating system and browser are updated with recent security patches.
Do not connect the device until you have downloaded the official Ledger Live installer from the Ledger website.

Download and install

Official sources

Always download Ledger Live Desktop from the official Ledger website. Avoid third-party mirrors and unsolicited links. Ledger publishes checksums and signatures for installers — verify them when possible to ensure integrity.

Installation steps

Visit the official Ledger website and navigate to the Ledger Live download page.
Select the appropriate installer for your OS (Windows, macOS, or Linux).
Run the installer and follow the on-screen prompts to install Ledger Live.
Launch Ledger Live after installation. You may be prompted to allow network access; this is required for balance updates and market data.

Tip: Before launching, consider verifying the downloaded file using the checksum or signature published on Ledger’s site.

Initial setup and pairing your Ledger device

On first run, Ledger Live will guide you through the onboarding flow. The key choices are whether to create a new device (generate a new recovery phrase) or restore an existing wallet from a recovery phrase.

Create a new device

Connect your Ledger device to your computer using the supplied cable.
Power on the device and follow its on-screen instructions to choose your language and create a PIN.
The device will display a recovery phrase (usually 24 words). Write the words down exactly in the correct order on the provided recovery sheet or a secure backup solution.
Confirm the recovery phrase on-device when prompted to ensure it’s recorded correctly.
Back in Ledger Live, follow the pairing prompts to link the device to the desktop application.

Restore from an existing seed

If you already have a recovery phrase from a previous device, choose the restore option and carefully enter the words on the device when prompted. Never type your full recovery phrase into Ledger Live or any online form unless explicitly directed by an official secure restore flow.

Secure your recovery phrase

The recovery phrase is the most important secret. Treat it like cash in a safe — one copy in a secure, offline location is sufficient, but redundancy is wise for disaster recovery.

Write it down: Use the provided recovery card or a dedicated notebook. Do not photograph or store the seed on digital devices.
Use durable backups: Metal backup plates resist fire and water and are recommended for long-term durability.
Geographic separation: Consider keeping copies in separate secure locations to protect against theft or natural disasters.
Test recovery: Optionally, perform a test restore on a spare device to verify your backup is usable.

Never share your recovery phrase — Ledger support and legitimate services will never ask for it.

Adding accounts and managing assets

Once your device is connected and paired, use Ledger Live to add accounts for the coins you want to manage. Each coin may require an app to be installed on the device through Ledger Live’s Manager.

Open Ledger Live and go to Manager to install the necessary coin apps on your device.
Navigate to Accounts and click Add account. Select the coin and follow the prompts.
Ledger Live will derive public addresses and show balances; transactions require device confirmation.

Use account labels to keep funds organized (e.g., savings, spending, exchange deposits).

Sending and receiving funds — on-device verification

Every send operation requires you to confirm transaction details on your Ledger device. This is the core security guarantee.

Receive

In Ledger Live, select the account and click Receive.
Ledger Live will generate an address; verify the address displayed in the app matches the one shown on your device screen.
Share the on-device-verified address with the sender.

Send

Compose a transaction in Ledger Live.
Review the transaction summary (outputs, amounts, fees) in the app.
When your device prompts, read the address and amount shown on-device — do not rely solely on the host app.
Approve on-device to sign; Ledger Live will then broadcast the transaction.

If any detail differs from your intent, reject the transaction on the device and investigate the discrepancy.

Firmware updates and app management

Ledger releases firmware updates periodically. Updates may include security improvements and new features. Apply updates only via Ledger Live and verify the update prompts shown on your device.

Open Ledger Live and go to Manager to view firmware or app updates.
Follow official prompts to apply firmware updates, keeping the device connected and powered.
If an update fails, consult Ledger’s official recovery documentation before attempting other actions.

Privacy and advanced options

Ledger Live provides convenience, but privacy considerations depend on how you use networks and services. Some advanced options:

Passphrase: An optional additional secret that creates hidden wallets. Use only if you understand the trade-offs; losing the passphrase loses access.
Multisig: Combine multiple keys requiring multiple approvals for spending — useful for institutional custody.
Full node connectivity: Where supported, connect Ledger Live to your own node to reduce metadata exposure to third parties.

Troubleshooting common issues

Device not detected

Try a different USB cable or port. Prefer the original cable supplied with the device.
Restart Ledger Live and your computer. On mobile, check Bluetooth permissions for Nano X.
On Linux, ensure udev rules are configured so non-root users can access the device.

Sync or balance inaccuracies

Balances are derived from network data; if you suspect an issue, refresh the account, check network explorer for transaction history, or reconnect the device.

Lost PIN

If you forget your PIN, you must reset the device and restore from your recovery phrase. Secure backups are critical for this scenario.

Checklist before transferring large funds

✅ Device genuine and untampered.
✅ Recovery phrase backed up offline in multiple secure locations if needed.
✅ Firmware and Ledger Live updated to the latest official releases.
✅ Confirmed a small test transaction successfully.
✅ On-device verification practiced and understood.

Frequently asked questions

Can I recover my wallet without Ledger Live?

Yes. With a recovery phrase, you can restore your wallet on another compatible hardware wallet or supported software wallet that accepts Ledger-compatible seeds. The recovery phrase is the ultimate backup.

Is Ledger Live open source?

Ledger publishes many libraries and tools openly; however, components vary. Refer to Ledger’s official developer pages for the latest licensing and open-source information.

What if my device is lost or stolen?

If your recovery phrase is secure and private, you can restore funds on a new device. If both device and recovery phrase are compromised, funds can be at risk.

Conclusion

Ledger Live Desktop provides a secure, full-featured environment to manage crypto while keeping keys under hardware control. The combination of careful onboarding, diligent backup practices, and routine verification on the device ensures that your funds remain safe against common remote threats.

Always consult official Ledger documentation and support channels for the most up-to-date guidance. This guide is informational and designed to complement, not replace, official product instructions.