Getting™ Started | Ledger® Live: Desktop® — official (EN-us)

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— 3 min read

1. Introduction to Ledger Live Desktop

Ledger Live Desktop is the official software application designed to work with Ledger hardware wallets (such as Ledger Nano S Plus, Ledger Nano X, and Ledger Stax) to securely manage your cryptocurrency assets from a computer. It is developed and maintained by Ledger and serves as the primary interface for interacting with your wallet, allowing you to track balances, send and receive crypto, stake assets for rewards, manage NFTs, and install blockchain apps on your device.

Core Philosophy:
The defining security feature of Ledger Live Desktop is that your private keys never leave your Ledger device. All sensitive cryptographic operations are performed on the hardware wallet itself — Ledger Live simply builds transactions and sends them for confirmation and signing on the device screen. This design drastically reduces the risk of exposure to malware, hacks, or phishing attempts.

2. Why Ledger Live Desktop Matters

When managing cryptocurrency securely, there are three main components to consider:

  1. Hardware Wallet – Keeps private keys isolated from internet-connected devices (cold storage).
  2. Ledger Live Software – The secure bridge between the hardware wallet and blockchain networks.
  3. Official Ledger Website – Only use downloads and resources from official channels to avoid scams.

Ledger Live Desktop is central to this ecosystem because it allows you to:

  • Install and update blockchain apps on your Ledger device.
  • View a consolidated portfolio dashboard.
  • Add accounts for all supported cryptocurrencies.
  • Send, receive, buy, sell, swap, and stake crypto.
  • Manage NFTs and Web3 connections.
  • Update firmware and maintain security.

The combination of physical device security and software usability makes Ledger Live Desktop a secure and powerful tool for both beginners and experienced users.

3. Preparation: What You Need Before You Begin

To get started successfully, ensure you have the following:

  • A compatible desktop computer running Windows (10+), macOS (Monterey or later), or Linux.
  • A Ledger hardware wallet (Nano S Plus, Nano X, or Stax).
  • An original USB cable to connect your Ledger device.
  • Pen and paper or a metal recovery seed backup to record your 24‑word secret recovery phrase.
  • A quiet, secure environment (no public Wi‑Fi or shared computers).

Security Note: Never enter your 24‑word recovery phrase into a computer, app, website, or photo. If any app or site ever asks for it, treat it as a scam and close it immediately. Ledger will never ask for your seed phrase.

4. Downloading & Installing Ledger Live Desktop

Official Download Source

Always download Ledger Live Desktop only from the official Ledger site — specifically ledger.com/start — to avoid phishing sites and fake installers. Some phishing campaigns have been known to mimic Ledger downloads in order to steal seed phrases.

Installation Steps

  1. Navigate manually to the official Ledger download page by typing the URL (don’t click random search results).
  2. Select your operating system (Windows, macOS, or Linux).
  3. Download and run the installer.
  4. Follow the on‑screen prompts to complete installation.
  5. Launch Ledger Live Desktop at the end.

Tip: On macOS, you might need to allow the app under System Preferences → Security & Privacy if it’s blocked initially.
Some power users also verify the installer’s checksum or digital signature to confirm integrity before running it.

5. Setting Up Ledger Live Desktop

After launch, Ledger Live will greet you with a “Get Started” screen offering two options:

  1. Set up as a new device – For brand new Ledger wallets.
  2. Restore an existing wallet – If you’re moving from another device or need to recover a wallet using your 24‑word seed phrase.

Initialize New Device

If you’re setting up a new wallet:

  • Connect your hardware wallet via USB.
  • Follow on‑screen prompts to initialize the device.
  • Choose a secure PIN directly on your Ledger device (not in the software).
  • Ledger Live Desktop will display instructions to write down your 24‑word recovery phrase exactly and securely.
  • Confirm the phrase on the device.

Restore Existing Wallet

If you have a recovery phrase from an older Ledger:

  • Choose to “Restore device.”
  • Follow prompts on your device touchscreen to input your existing phrase.
  • Ledger Live Desktop will then pair with the restored wallet.

Important: Ledger Live Desktop will never request your recovery phrase in text input — all interactions occur securely via the hardware wallet’s screen.

6. Installing Blockchain Apps & Adding Accounts

Once your device is initialized:

  • Use Ledger Live Desktop’s “Manager” section to install cryptocurrency-specific apps onto your Ledger device (e.g., Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, etc.).
  • Note: Ledger devices have limited storage for installed apps. Only install what you need — uninstalling apps does not affect your funds; accounts reappear once the app is reinstalled.

After apps are installed, you can:

  • Add accounts in Ledger Live Desktop to view balances, transaction history, and performance charts.
  • For networks with many tokens (such as Ethereum), specific token contracts may require manual addition after account creation.

This interlinked workflow — Installing Apps → Adding Accounts → Viewing Balances — helps keep your portfolio organized and secure.

7. Using Core Features Effectively

Once setup and accounts are added, Ledger Live Desktop becomes your crypto control center:

Portfolio Management

  • Monitor all your digital assets in one unified dashboard.
  • See real‑time balances and historical performance charts.

Transactions

  • Send & Receive crypto safely — addresses must be verified on your Ledger device before confirmation.
  • Swap or buy/sell supported cryptocurrencies within the app (depending on region and integrations).

Staking & Rewards

  • Stake supported proof‑of‑stake assets to earn rewards without exposing keys.
  • Manage staking directly from Ledger Live Desktop.

NFT and Web3 Management

  • View and interact with NFTs (especially on Ethereum and Polygon networks).

Firmware Updates

  • Ledger Live Desktop also handles firmware updates. These updates are critical security improvements and must be confirmed on the hardware device.

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