Ledger Live Desktop® | Manage Your Crypto™ Assets Safely

Ledger Live Desktop is the official, secure application designed to work with Ledger hardware wallets. Use it to add and organize accounts, send and receive crypto, buy and swap assets, stake tokens, manage NFTs, and connect safely to Web3 — while your private keys stay on your Ledger device.

Overview — What Ledger Live Desktop does for you

Ledger Live Desktop is the bridge between your Ledger hardware wallet and the blockchain. It presents a unified dashboard where you can track portfolio value, review transaction history, install blockchain-specific apps on your device, and interact with decentralized applications. Every sensitive operation — signing transactions or approving a contract call — occurs on your Ledger device, keeping private keys offline and out of reach of malware or phishing attempts.

Why security-first portfolio management matters

Cryptocurrency security revolves around custody of private keys. Ledger Live Desktop follows a security-first model: it reads public account information and prepares transactions, but signing happens exclusively on your hardware device. That means even if your computer is compromised, an attacker cannot move your funds without the physical device and the PIN. Combining an easy-to-use interface with hardware-backed signing lets you manage assets conveniently without sacrificing security.

Download & install (quick checklist)

1. Visit the official Ledger Live page: ledger.com/ledger-live.
2. Choose the correct installer for Windows, macOS, or Linux and download it.
3. Run the installer and open Ledger Live Desktop.
4. When prompted, pair your Ledger device (USB or Bluetooth for Ledger Nano X) and follow the guided setup.

Security tip: Always download Ledger Live from the official site. Verify installers when possible and never install Ledger Live copies from unknown sources.

Initial setup & device initialization

On first use, Ledger Live offers to walk you through setting up a new Ledger device or restoring an existing one. Key steps include:

• Choosing whether to set up as a new device or restore from a recovery phrase.
• Creating a secure PIN on the device (4–8 digits).
• Recording the 24-word recovery phrase shown on the device — write it down on the recovery sheet and store it offline in multiple secure places.
• Installing the latest firmware when prompted — firmware updates patch security improvements and add features.

Never type your recovery phrase into Ledger Live or any other software. Ledger Support will never ask for your recovery phrase.

Adding accounts & organizing your portfolio

Ledger Live supports numerous blockchains. To add accounts:

1. Open Ledger Live and go to Accounts > Add account.
2. Select the blockchain (e.g., Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana) and install the required app on your Ledger device from the Manager tab.
3. Ledger Live will detect addresses from your device — verify each address on the device screen before confirming.

You can label accounts, create groups, and view allocation breakdowns to understand exposure and performance across assets. The Portfolio view aggregates all account balances into a single fiat-denominated value and provides historical charts to review performance over time.

Send & receive: secure transaction flow

Ledger Live ensures transactions are prepared on your computer and approved on-device:

• Receive: Select an account and click Receive. Always verify the address shown in Ledger Live against the address displayed on the Ledger device.
• Send: Create a transaction in Ledger Live, then confirm recipient, amount and fees on the Ledger device before signing. The device displays the final details — this is the single source of truth.

Verifying details on the hardware screen protects you from malicious software that could alter addresses or amounts in the app.

Staking with Ledger Live

Staking lets you participate in proof-of-stake networks to earn rewards. Ledger Live offers staking for multiple blockchains while keeping custody of keys on-device. General steps:

1. Select an account and click Earn Rewards or Stake.
2. Choose a validator, review fees and lock-up rules, and confirm the operation on your device.
3. Ledger Live tracks rewards and displays staking status and earnings.

Staking via Ledger Live means you never hand over keys to a third party — you simply delegate while retaining control.

NFTs & Web3 integrations

Ledger Live supports NFT viewing for selected chains and connects securely to Web3 dApps via WalletConnect or approved browser integrations. When connecting to dApps:

• Always verify the dApp URL and contract details.
• Confirm signatures and transactions on the Ledger device screen.
• Be cautious with approvals granting long-term token allowances — review and revoke if necessary.

Privacy & sync options

Ledger Live stores only non-sensitive metadata locally. Optional sync features (account view sync between devices) use encryption and privacy-aware protocols — private keys remain on the hardware device at all times. If you enable account sync, only encrypted account metadata is shared through Ledger's sync services.

Troubleshooting common issues

• Device not recognized: Try a different USB cable/port, enable USB permissions on your OS, or pair via Bluetooth for Nano X.
• Can't add account: Ensure the relevant blockchain app is installed on the device via the Manager.
• Firmware update fails: Keep the device connected, try a different cable/port, and restart Ledger Live. If problems persist consult the support center.

For deeper issues use the official Ledger Support Center. Never share your recovery phrase — support will never ask for it.

Best practices & advanced tips

• Purchase devices only from official channels to avoid tampered hardware.
• Record your recovery phrase on the provided sheet and consider metal backups for durability.
• Use a passphrase (optional 25th word) for an extra hidden account if you need added segregation.
• Segment assets into separate accounts for long-term, staking, and active trading to reduce risk.
• Keep Ledger Live and device firmware updated to benefit from security patches and new features.

Conclusion

Ledger Live Desktop combines a polished, user-friendly portfolio interface with hardware-backed security. Whether you are receiving your first crypto, managing NFTs, staking tokens, or connecting to DeFi, Ledger Live ensures that critical signing operations always happen on your Ledger device. Use Ledger Live with sound security practices and you’ll have a robust environment for long-term crypto management.