Ledger® Live: Desktop® — Getting Started | official Ledger Wallet™ App

stveejohn

— 4 min read

Ledger® Live: Desktop® — Getting Started Guide

The official app to securely manage your crypto with Ledger hardware wallets

1. What Is Ledger Live Desktop?

Ledger Live Desktop is the official desktop application developed by Ledger to manage your Ledger hardware wallet and your entire crypto portfolio — right from your PC or Mac. It serves as a secure interface that connects your Ledger device (like Nano S Plus, Nano X, or Stax) to the blockchain, while your private keys remain safely stored offline on the device itself. Ledger+1

  • Full portfolio overview: See all your crypto accounts, balances, and live market prices in one place. ledgerliveapp.m-pages.com
  • Manage assets: Send, receive, buy, sell, swap, and stake supported cryptocurrencies. ledgerliveapp.m-pages.com
  • Install blockchain apps: Add apps for specific chains (Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, etc.) via Manager. Ledger Live Desktop
  • Device maintenance: Update firmware securely and verify device authenticity. Ledger
  • Multi-OS support: Available for Windows, macOS, and Linux. Ledger Live

Ledger Live Desktop is free to download and use†. Ledger Live

💡 Ledger Live acts purely as the interface — your private keys are never stored on your computer or leaked over the internet. Ledger Live Desktop

2. Why Start with Ledger Live Desktop?

Using Ledger Live Desktop gives you a controlled, feature-rich, and secure environment to manage digital assets:

Security-First Architecture

  • Private key isolation: Keys live in the Secure Element chip on the Ledger device. welcome-ledgerlive-helps.pages.dev
  • Transaction confirmation: Every send, stake, or swap requires on-device approval — attackers can’t sign transactions without physical access. welcome-ledgerlive-helps.pages.dev
  • Official onboarding: Always download Ledger Live from ledger.com/start or Ledger’s official download page to avoid fake installers and phishing. Ledger

Comprehensive Asset Management

3. Step-by-Step: Getting Started

Step 1: Visit Official Onboarding Portal

Go to https://www.ledger.com/start — this is Ledger’s official setup hub with verified downloads and setup instructions. Ledger

Step 2: Download Ledger Live Desktop

Choose the correct installer for your operating system:

  • Windows (10 and above)
  • macOS (Intel or Apple Silicon)
  • Linux distributions supported

Always confirm you’re downloading from the secure Ledger site. Ledger Live

Step 3: Install & Launch the App

Once downloaded:

  1. Run the installer and follow on-screen prompts. Ledger Live Desktop
  2. Launch Ledger Live Desktop. Ledger Live

At launch, Ledger Live will greet you with onboarding options:

  • “Get Started” — for new users
  • “Restore device” — if you have an existing recovery phrase to recover a wallet. Ledger Live Desktop

Step 4: Initialize or Restore Your Ledger Device

A) New Device

  1. Power on the Ledger device.
  2. Create a secure PIN on device.
  3. Write down your 24-word recovery phrase on the supplied sheet. This phrase is the only backup to your wallet. Ledger Live Desktop
🛑 Never enter your recovery phrase into Ledger Live or any computer. Ledger Live will never ask for your full seed. Ledger Live Desktop

B) Restore From Recovery Phrase

If you already set up a Ledger before, choose Restore and enter your 24-word phrase only on the device. Ledger Live Desktop

Ledger Live Desktop ensures that device authenticity checks and firmware verification happen automatically during setup. Ledger Live

Step 5: Install Apps & Add Accounts

Once your device is initialized:

  1. Go to Manager — install blockchain-specific apps (Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, etc.). Ledger Live Desktop
  2. Go to Accounts → Add account — sync accounts and see balances within Ledger Live. Ledger Live Desktop

Ledger Live Desktop organizes your holdings by account with portfolio insights and transaction histories. Ledger Live

4. Core Features Explained

Portfolio Dashboard

Send, Receive & Swap

Staking

NFT & Web3 Support

  • View and manage NFTs securely. Ledger
  • Connect to dApps via WalletConnect or MetaMask with Ledger as the signer for secure interaction. ledgerliveapp.m-pages.com

5. Security Best Practices

Never Share Your Recovery Phrase

  • Your 24-word seed is your only backup. Ledger or anyone else will never ask for it. Ledger Live Desktop

Beware of Fake Software

  • Download only from ledger.com/start or Ledger’s official download page. Fake installers can steal seed phrases. TechRadar

Check Transactions On-Device

6. Common Q&A (Quick FAQ)

📌 Is Ledger Live Desktop required?
Yes — you need Ledger Live to install apps and manage accounts; you can’t fully use a Ledger device without it. supportledger-com.framer.ai

📌 Can Ledger Live Desktop be used without a Ledger device?
You can install it and view general features, but managing assets requires a connected hardware wallet. Ledger Live

📌 Is Ledger Live free?
Yes. Ledger Live Desktop is free; only blockchain transaction fees and third-party service fees (e.g., fiat buy/sell) apply. Ledger Live

📌 Can I use both desktop and mobile Ledger Live?
Yes — both can be paired with your Ledger device. They sync via the Ledger Sync feature. Reddit

7. Next Steps After Setup

Once Ledger Live Desktop is running smoothly:

  1. Stay up to date — keep Ledger Live and firmware current. Ledger Live Desktop
  2. Explore staking and DeFi features in the Discover tab. ledgerliveapp.m-pages.com
  3. Connect to Web3 apps securely with on-device approval. ledgerliveapp.m-pages.com
  4. Review Ledger Academy tutorials for advanced workflows and security tips. Ledger Live

Conclusion

Ledger® Live Desktop® combines user-friendly crypto management with top-tier security by keeping your private keys offline and requiring on-device confirmations for all sensitive actions. By following this “Getting Started” guide and prioritizing official downloads and best security practices, you’ll have a powerful and secure desktop setup for managing your crypto assets. Ledger

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