Ledger® Live: Desktop® — Getting Started™ | Official Ledger Wallet

Introduction

Welcome to your complete guide for Ledger® Live: Desktop® — Getting Started™ with your official Ledger hardware wallet. If you’re new to crypto or switching from an exchange or mobile‑only wallet, this walkthrough will help you download, install, and use Ledger Live Desktop securely and confidently — ensuring your assets stay protected inside your Ledger device. Ledger Live Desktop is the official desktop client offered by Ledger for managing cryptocurrencies, staking, NFTs, DeFi connections, and more, while keeping your private keys securely offline.

What Is Ledger Live: Desktop®?

Ledger Live: Desktop® is the official, cross‑platform desktop application developed by Ledger — designed to work in lockstep with a Ledger Wallet device (such as Ledger Nano S Plus, Nano X, or Ledger Stax). With it, you can:

  • Track portfolio balances and see real‑time market prices.
  • Send and receive crypto assets with hardware confirmations.
  • Buy, sell, swap, and stake tokens using integrated partners.
  • Manage NFTs and interact with Web3 applications securely.
  • Install blockchain apps on your Ledger device.

The key advantage is security: your private keys stay inside your Ledger device’s secure element, and all transaction signing must be approved physically on that device — reducing risks from malware or remote attackers.

Why Use Ledger Live Desktop?

🔐 Industry‑Leading Security

Unlike custodial wallets on exchanges or software‑only wallets, Ledger Live with a Ledger device ensures your private keys never leave your hardware wallet. Every transaction must be approved on the physical device, making it extremely difficult for cybercriminals to steal funds.

📈 Comprehensive Portfolio Management

Ledger Live Desktop gives you a single dashboard to:

  • Monitor your balances across multiple accounts and blockchains.
  • View historical performance and trends.
  • Track thousands of supported coins and tokens.

💼 Advanced Features Beyond Simple Wallets

You can do more than hold crypto. Ledger Live Desktop lets you:

  • Stake assets for passive rewards.
  • Trade and swap cryptocurrencies without leaving the app.
  • Interact with NFTs and DeFi applications while keeping key security intact.

To ensure safety and authenticity, always use official Ledger links — never download from third‑party sites, ads, or emails.

  1. Official Ledger Live download page (Desktop)
    ↳ https://www.ledger.com/ledger‑live/download
  2. Official Ledger onboarding & setup portal
    ↳ https://www.ledger.com/start
  3. General Ledger Live overview page
    ↳ https://www.ledger.com/en/ledger‑live
  4. Ledger Support Center (tutorials & help)
    ↳ https://support.ledger.com
  5. Security best practices from official Ledger docs
    ↳ https://www.ledger.com/security

Step‑by‑Step: Getting Started with Ledger Live Desktop

1. Visit the Official Ledger Setup Portal

Start at the official Ledger setup page:
👉 https://www.ledger.com/start — this ensures you get the proper downloads and installation files.

2. Download & Install Ledger Live Desktop

From the Ledger Live Desktop page, select the installer for your operating system:

  • Windows
  • macOS
  • Linux (AppImage or installer)

Once downloaded, open the installer and follow the on‑screen prompts to install the app.

🔒 Security Tip: Ledger provides signed installers — use file checksums if you want to verify integrity before installation.

3. Connect Your Ledger Hardware Wallet

After installing Ledger Live Desktop:

  1. Connect your Ledger device via USB (Bluetooth works for some devices on mobile).
  2. Unlock the device with your PIN.
  3. Ledger Live Desktop should auto‑detect your hardware wallet.

4. Initialize or Restore Your Wallet

Ledger Live Desktop will ask whether you are:

  • Setting up a new device (fresh installation), or
  • Restoring an existing wallet (use your existing 24‑word recovery phrase).

Important: Never enter your recovery phrase into any app or website — this must be only entered on your Ledger device during setup.

5. Install Blockchain Apps & Add Accounts

Once your device is paired:

  1. Navigate to Manager in Ledger Live Desktop.
  2. Install cryptocurrency apps (e.g., Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana).
  3. Go to Accounts → Add account to start managing those assets.

6. Send & Receive Crypto

  • To Receive: click “Receive,” select the asset, and confirm the address on your Ledger device before sharing.
  • To Send: click “Send,” enter the recipient’s address and amount, and confirm on your device.

Ledger Live Desktop ensures every key action is verified on your device, keeping your private keys offline and secure.

Essential Security Tips

🔒 Only download Ledger Live Desktop from https://www.ledger.com/start or ledger.com/ledger‑live/download.
🔒 Never enter your 24‑word recovery phrase into any software or website.
🔒 Always verify addresses on your Ledger device screen before confirming transactions.
🔒 Keep your Ledger Live Desktop app and device firmware updated to patch vulnerabilities.
🔒 Beware of fake Ledger Live apps — Ledger will never request your seed phrase via email or pop‑ups.

5 Frequently Asked Questions

1. Do I need a Ledger device to use Ledger Live Desktop?
Yes. Ledger Live Desktop works with and requires an official Ledger hardware wallet to sign transactions and secure keys. You can view prices without it, but cannot manage assets.

2. Is Ledger Live Desktop free to use?
Yes. Ledger Live Desktop is free — only blockchain network fees and third‑party provider fees (when buying or swapping) may apply.

3. Where can I safely download Ledger Live Desktop?
Only from the official Ledger download links: https://www.ledger.com/ledger‑live/download and https://www.ledger.com/start.

4. What if my Ledger device is lost or damaged?
You can restore your wallet on a new Ledger device using your 24‑word recovery phrase — only on the Ledger hardware itself, not in apps or websites.

5. Can I sync Ledger Live Desktop with the mobile version?
Yes. Ledger Sync allows you to view and manage accounts across both desktop and mobile, using your same Ledger device.

Conclusion

Ledger Live: Desktop® is the cornerstone tool for managing your crypto securely with a Ledger hardware wallet. With step‑by‑step onboarding, advanced management features, and industry‑leading security best practices, Ledger Live Desktop puts you in full control of your digital assets. Start your journey on the official Ledger onboarding portal https://www.ledger.com/start and follow best practices to protect your investments for the long term.