Ledger® Live: Desktop — Getting started

Why use Ledger Live Desktop?

Ledger Live is the recommended desktop companion for Ledger hardware wallets. It provides an integrated environment to initialize devices, manage apps and firmware, add and label accounts, build transactions, and monitor portfolio performance. Compared with web-based tools, the desktop client reduces attack surface by offering a stable, auditable runtime and a direct update channel for firmware and app management.

System requirements

• Windows: Windows 10 or later (64-bit recommended)
• macOS: macOS 10.14 or later
• Linux: Popular distributions are supported; AppImage is available for broad compatibility
• At least 4GB RAM and a modern processor for smooth performance
• USB port for device connection (Bluetooth supported for Nano X when used with mobile companion)

Download and verify Ledger Live

Only download Ledger Live from the official Ledger website. Verifying the installer lowers the risk of tampered files:

1. Visit ledger.com/start and choose the desktop download for your OS.
2. If an SHA256 checksum or a signed installer is published, verify the file integrity using system tools (sha256sum, shasum, or built-in verification utilities).
3. Run the installer and follow OS-specific prompts (macOS: drag to Applications; Windows: run the installer; Linux: make AppImage executable).

Tip: Keep the installer file until setup is completed successfully, so you can confirm checksums if you encounter issues.

First launch & configuration

1. Open Ledger Live and accept terms. Decide whether to enable optional analytics — you can change this later in settings.
2. Ledger Live will guide you through connecting a Ledger device. Use the official cable and connect the device to the computer. Unlock the device with your chosen PIN.
3. Choose to set up a new device or restore an existing wallet. If creating a new device, perform the seed generation step on the hardware device and record the recovery phrase offline.
4. Let Ledger Live install any recommended firmware updates. Firmware images are signed and verified by the device during installation.

Device manager: apps & firmware

The Manager tab in Ledger Live is where you install blockchain-specific apps and apply firmware updates:

• Install only the apps you need; device storage is limited on some models.
• When firmware updates are available, Ledger Live will guide you through a safe update flow that verifies signatures and prevents unauthorized modifications.
• Removing an app does not remove funds — your accounts are derived from your seed and remain recoverable.

Adding accounts and organizing your portfolio

After installing apps, add accounts for each supported coin:

1. Click "Add account," select the coin, and follow prompts to scan accounts derived from your seed.
2. Label accounts for clarity (e.g., Savings, Trading, Cold Storage).
3. Ledger Live aggregates balances and shows portfolio performance over time; exportable history helps with accounting and tax reporting.

Creating transactions: send & receive

Ledger Live builds transactions locally and requires on-device confirmation for all signing operations. Follow these secure steps:

• Receive: Generate an address in Ledger Live, then confirm the same address appears on your Ledger device before sharing it. The device screen is authoritative.
• Send: Construct the transaction in Ledger Live, review fee estimates and recipient details, then approve the transaction on-device.
• Always verify amounts and addresses on the hardware device to detect host-side tampering or clipboard replacement attacks.

Security best practices

• Keep your recovery seed offline — write it on the provided recovery sheet and consider a metal backup for resilience.
• Never enter your seed on a connected computer except during a legitimate restore on a secure device.
• Enable passphrase-protected hidden accounts if you need extra segregation or plausible deniability (note: lost passphrase cannot be recovered).
• Use a dedicated, trusted computer for high-value operations and avoid public Wi‑Fi when transacting.
• Keep Ledger Live and device firmware updated via official channels and verify update sources.

Staking, swaps, and integrated services

Ledger Live integrates selected staking providers and swap partners so you can earn rewards or exchange assets without losing custody. Review provider fees, lock-up terms, and the implications for liquidity before committing tokens. Always approve staking or swap transactions on-device and review the full contract parameters when interacting with smart contracts.

Privacy and network settings

Ledger Live may query external services for price feeds and chain indexing. If privacy is a priority, you can configure custom RPC endpoints or run local nodes for certain networks. Review privacy settings to opt out of telemetry and limit external data sharing.

Troubleshooting common desktop issues

Advanced workflows & developer notes

Power users can combine Ledger Live with local nodes, multisig setups, or integrate with developer tools. For programmatic access, follow least-privilege API key practices, use IP whitelisting where available, and do not embed secrets in public repositories. Test automation in sandbox environments before running against live funds.

Support and resources

Ledger maintains extensive documentation, release notes, and a community knowledge base. When contacting support, do not share your recovery phrase or private keys — provide only non-sensitive diagnostic details. For security advisories and firmware changes, subscribe to official channels.

Conclusion

Ledger Live Desktop is a robust, secure interface for managing hardware wallets on Windows, macOS and Linux. By following the setup steps, verifying installers and firmware, keeping backups offline, and confirming every transaction on-device, you maximize the security benefits of hardware-backed custody. Use Ledger Live as your trusted desktop dashboard and combine it with disciplined operational security for long-term protection of your digital assets.